The executive management team at SMC³ reflects the organization’s devotion to consistently raising the level of knowledge, collaboration and technological capability in the LTL transportation marketplace. Each member of the team is available to answer questions and receive comments concerning the company’s direction. (Pictured above, left to right: Joe McClure, Dan Acker, Jack Middleton, Danny Slaton, Warren Patterson. Not pictured: Julie Beach.)
Jack Middleton | |
Dan Acker | |
Julie Beach | |
Joe McClure | |
Warren Patterson | |
Danny Slaton |
Jack E. Middleton, President & CEO
Jack Middleton has served as SMC³ President and Chief Executive Officer since January, 1996 and is the cohesive force behind all business operations, including the direct interface with the company's Board of Directors.
Middleton originally joined SMC³ as an accountant and has held many positions of responsibility. Immediately prior to his appointment as President and CEO, he served as the organization's assistant treasurer and corporate secretary. A graduate of Clayton State College and Georgia State University, he holds degrees in accounting, finance and human resource management.
Middleton has appeared as a speaker before many groups concerning LTL transportation issues, including: The National Association of Purchasing Managers Transportation Conference, the Transportation Claims and Prevention Council, the North Carolina Traffic League, and the Southern Transportation Logistics Association.
In July of 2007, Middleton was invited by the U.S. Council on Competitiveness to participate as a delegate and speaker at the first-ever U.S.-Brazil Innovation Summit in Brasilia, Brazil. He also served on a panel, chaired by former Congressman Michael Oxley, presenting private sector perspectives in regard to "Shaping the Americas Ecosystem for Innovation and Competitiveness."
Middleton feels honored to serve on Georgia Congressman Lynn Westmoreland's Transportation and Aviation Advisory Council. He also serves on the Board of Directors of several organizations including the Fayette County Youth Protection Homes, Transportation Costing Group, Excel Federal Credit Union, and the Southern Transportation Logistics Association; and is a member of several organizations including the U.S. Council on Competitiveness, Association for Transportation Law Logistics and Policy, Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals, National Trucking Industrial Relations Association, Southern Transportation Logistics Association, Georgia Society of Association Executives serving on the Government Relations Committee, and the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce serving on the Legislative Action Committee.
Daniel M. Acker, Sr. Vice President, Research and Economic Analysis
Dan Acker's 30-plus years of experience in the motor carrier industry includes all aspects of daily operations and administration, from line haul to financial statements, with heavy emphasis in the cost, financial and statistical areas. Acker has testified as an expert witness on motor carrier operations before numerous state and federal agencies.
As senior vice president of research and economic analysis for SMC³, Acker oversees the company’s economic updating of its CzarLite benchmark rate products, SMC³’s Carrier Cost Index and other industry studies. He holds both B.B.A. and M.P.A. degrees from Georgia State University. Professional designations include being a C.P.A. (FL) and a Practitioner of Law before the Surface Transportation Board.
Joseph A. McClure, Sr. Vice President, Finance & Administration
Joe McClure has held various accounting and financial positions with SMC³ since he began with the company in 1972. In his current role as senior vice president of finance and administration, McClure directs and manages all of the accounting and finance, human resources, training and development, and building services functions.
McClure holds a B.B.A. in accounting from Georgia State University. He is also a member of the Society for Human Resource Management and serves as both corporate secretary and assistant treasurer for SMC³’s Board of Directors
Danny B. Slaton, Sr. Vice President, Business Development
Danny Slaton began his career in transportation pricing data and technology with the Central and Southern Association in Louisville, KY in 1983. With the 1995 merger of SMC³ and CSA, Slaton was named the vice president of sales for SMC³, and shortly thereafter the leadership of marketing was added to his position. Slaton was named VP of business development in 2004 and was promoted to Sr. VP of business development in 2006.
Since that time, Slaton has been instrumental in the development and sales efforts for the current generation of SMC³ technology products, having served as a core team member in the creation of SMC³’s major brands, including CzarLite, RateWare and FastClass.
In his role as senior VP of business development, Slaton will still oversee the sales and marketing functions of the company, but his main focus will be to assess new markets, further strategic alliance initiatives and analyze business opportunities for SMC³ and its products and services.
Warren R. Patterson, Sr. Vice President, Product Strategy & Development
Warren Patterson is the most recent addition to the SMC³’s senior management team. Patterson has over 20 years’ experience in the logistics and supply chain arena, with particular emphasis on solutions development, process evaluation, business strategy and management.
As senior vice president of product strategy and development for SMC³, Patterson is responsible for facilitating the direction and continued growth of SMC³’s family of products and services. This includes product development and technology, data development and delivery, and internal and external support services.
Patterson is an active member in the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (formerly CLM) and the Information Technology Association of America.
Julie K. Beach, Vice President, Product and Data Services
Julie Beach has over twenty-eight years of experience with SMC³ and the former CSA. During her tenure she has served in many leadership roles in tariff development, LTL rate analysis, programming management, product development and a variety of customer support and technical support assignments. Beach currently serves as SMC³'s V.P. of Product and Data Services. In this role she oversees product testing, data services and data analysis.
Beach has been instrumental in the design and development of many of SMC³'s leading products including CzarLite, RateWare, BatchMark and FastClass software for automation of the NMFC. She has consulted on over 150 carriers LTL pricing and software products and is currently involved in the development of new formulas for LTL rating. Beach serves on the companys Executive Committee.
Beach has a BS in Mathematics from the University of Louisville and an Associates degree in Computer Science from the Speed Scientific School.
SMC³ 2009 Board of Directors:
| MEMBER | COMPANY |
| Richard D. Bowden | Shevell Group |
| Kenneth J. Burroughs | UPS Freight |
| Mark W. Davis | Averitt Express, Inc. |
| Reid Dove | AAA Cooper Transportation |
| Rob W. Estes, Jr. | Estes Express Lines, Inc. |
| Russell L. Garrett | Southeastern Freight Lines, Inc. |
| Steven D. Gast | New Penn Motor Express, Inc. |
| Edward L. Guffey | Wilson Trucking Corporation |
| G. Tommy Hodges | Goggin Warehousing LLC |
| Richard F. Keeler | Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. |
| Larry Kerr | Shippers Express, Inc. |
| Peter Martin | Lakeville Motor Express, Inc. |
| H.R. (Chip) Matthews, Jr. | Benton Express, Inc. |
| W.H. (Bill) Reed, Jr. * | Skyline Transportation, Inc. |
| Paul E. Weaver * | Retired |
* Director Emeritus |