SMC³ Knowledge Experts

Our in-house knowledge experts reflect SMC³’s devotion to consistently raising the level of knowledge, collaboration and technological capability in the LTL transportation marketplace. These individuals are available to speak at industry events and provide information on topics of interest.

Click here for a list of upcoming speaking engagements involving one or more SMC³ Knowledge Experts.

Jack E. Middleton, SMC³ President & CEO

Jack Middleton has been President and Chief Executive Officer of SMC³ since 1996, and has spent the entirety of his career in the transportation industry. Mr. Middleton’s day-to-day business activities with SMC³ include:

Mr. Middleton has appeared as a speaker before many groups concerning LTL transportation issues, including the National Association of Purchasing Managers (NAPM) Transportation Conference, the Transportation Claims and Prevention Council, the Institute for Supply Management (ISM), the Transportation & Logistics Council (TLC), the North Carolina Traffic League (NCTL) and the Southern Transportation Logistics Association (STLA). He is also a member of the following organizations:

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."

Mr. Middleton has been interviewed by, and quoted in, several transportation industry publications. His areas of expertise include:

To request Mr. Middleton as a speaker at an upcoming event, click here.

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Danny B. Slaton, Sr. Vice President, Business Development

As one of the most recognized individuals within transportation industry circles, Danny Slaton is regularly sought out for dialog and insight regarding issues surrounding transportation pricing. His twenty-plus years of experience communicating with carriers, shippers, logistics providers and technology developers gave him an industry knowledge base that was instrumental in the research, development and sales strategy for many of SMC³’s flagship products, including CzarLite, RateWare and FastClass.

Formerly SMC³’s VP of Sales and Marketing, Mr. Slaton was named VP of business development in 2004 and was promoted to Sr. VP of business development in 2006. His daily business activities include identifying and assessing new markets for SMC³’s products and services and analyzing business opportunities through alliance strategies.

Mr. Slaton’s areas of expertise include:

To request Mr. Slaton as a speaker at an upcoming event, click here.

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Daniel M. Acker, Sr. Vice President, Research & Economic Analysis

Dan Acker has been active within various areas of the motor carrier industry for 30-plus years. His background includes managing daily operations and administration, with heavy emphasis in the cost, financial and statistical areas. Mr. Acker brought this industry experience and skill set with him to SMC³ and is currently responsible for overseeing the company’s economic updating of its CzarLite benchmark rate products, SMC³’s Carrier Cost Index (CCI) 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. (Fla.) and a Practitioner of Law before the Surface Transportation Board. Mr. Acker has testified as an expert witness on motor carrier operations before numerous state and federal agencies.

Mr. Acker’s areas of expertise include:

To request Mr. Acker as a speaker at an upcoming event, click here.

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Warren R. Patterson, Sr. Vice President, Product Strategy & Development

Warren Patterson has more than 25 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, Mr. 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.

He is an active member of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) and the Information Technology Association of America. Mr. Patterson is regularly requested to speak at technology user group meetings, as he is a subject matter expert on emerging technologies.

Mr. Patterson’s areas of expertise include:

To request Mr. Patterson as a speaker at an upcoming event, click here.

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K. Brad Gregory, Director of Software Alliances

Brad Gregory has 24 years of experience in LTL transportation, logistics and technology. Mr. Gregory joined SMC³ in September of 2000 and is responsible for developing software alliances with supply chain technology providers. He also serves on the SMC³ Executive Committee.

Mr. Gregory is a graduate of The University of Tennessee and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Transportation and Logistics. He is also a certified instructor in the Phillip Crosby Associates (PCA), Quality Improvement Process and has been involved with the implementation of the PCA principles at SMC³ as well as a major LTL carrier. His professional experience includes both sales and operational management within carrier, 3PL and technology companies. Mr. Gregory regularly speaks at software alliance user group meetings, educating the participants in LTL pricing and rating technology.

Mr. Gregory’s areas of expertise include:

To request Mr. Gregory as a speaker at an upcoming event, click here.

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Jim Castellaw, National Sales Manager

Jim Castellaw has been active in virtually every area of transportation for the past 45 years. His background includes managing transportation activities for JCPenney Co., serving as general manager for a small trucking company, and as director of rates and tariffs for the Georgia and Alabama Trucking Associations. Prior to joining SMC³ in 1995, he presided over a very successful transportation consulting firm with over 500 clients for fifteen-plus years.

Mr. Castellaw was named National Sales Manager for SMC³ in 1996 and has served in this capacity since that time. His responsibilities include managing the third party logistics industry software sales and licensing, which represents approximately 30 percent of SMC³’s business, as well as consulting with Fortune 100 and 500 companies in transportation technology matters. Mr. Castellaw regularly presents information on transportation industry evolution and trends before many groups, including the National Freight Transportation Consultants, state trucking associations, and local and national transportation clubs. He was named to Georgia’s “Who’s Who” in transportation in 1994, and has served on the advisory boards of DeKalb Community College, the Georgia Freight Bureau and the Transportation Club of Atlanta. Mr. Castellaw also taught transportation courses for several years through Atlanta Area Technical School.

Mr. Castellaw’s areas of expertise include:

To request Mr. Castellaw as a speaker at an upcoming event, click here.

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