From Pizza Shops to Leading a $100M Logistics Empire with Kristy Knichel, President and CEO of Knichel Logistics

Freight Nation: A Trucking Podcast

In this episode of Freight Nation: A Trucking Podcast, Brent Hutto is joined by Kristy Knichel, President and CEO of Knichel Logistics.

Join them as they explore:

• Kristy’s early days running pizza shops and her first steps into logistics.
• How working with her father taught her invaluable lessons about business, leadership, and resilience.
• The challenges of navigating family dynamics in a business setting and how Kristy overcame them to assume leadership.
• The bold decisions Kristy made to secure the future of the company, including managing finances, ensuring sustainable growth, and maintaining team morale.
• Kristy’s leadership philosophy, focusing on treating employees with respect and fostering a positive workplace culture.
• The remarkable transformation of Knichel Logistics, growing to 55 employees and nearly $100M in revenue under Kristy’s leadership.
• How Kristy’s independence, problem-solving mindset, and perseverance shaped her journey to becoming a respected industry leader.

Kristy Knichel is the President and CEO of Knichel Logistics, a leading intermodal marketing company specializing in freight transportation solutions. A second-generation logistics professional, she co-founded the company in 2003 with her father and siblings. Since assuming leadership in 2007, she has grown the business from $2 million in revenue to nearly $100 million, establishing it as a top provider in the logistics industry. Known for her disciplined leadership and collaborative approach, Kristy fosters a positive workplace culture where employees are valued and empowered. She was the inaugural recipient of the Distinguished Woman in Logistics Award from the Women in Trucking Association, recognizing her impact on the industry and her role as a trailblazer in a male-dominated field.
Episode Highlights:

[00:02:00 – 00:09:00] Kristy Knichel reflects on her early days managing pizza shops, where she worked long hours and learned the value of perseverance and problem-solving. She recounts how these experiences laid the groundwork for her eventual transition into logistics, a path inspired by her father’s guidance and encouragement. Kristy highlights how her work ethic and determination, developed during these formative years, prepared her for the challenges of the logistics industry.

[00:16:00 – 00:25:00] Kristy opens up about the complexities of working alongside her father in a family-owned business. She explains the challenges of adapting to his 'militant' leadership style and the pressure to meet high expectations. Despite their differing approaches, which created unique challenges, Kristy shares how she used these experiences to develop her own leadership style, emphasizing resilience, discipline, and a commitment to fostering trust and respect within the company

[00:29:00 – 00:38:00] Kristy discusses her transition to CEO, describing the Key moments that defined her leadership journey. From managing cash flow during a financial crisis to implementing processes that ensured sustainable growth, she explains how bold decision-making helped transform Knichel Logistics into a thriving $100M business. Kristy also emphasizes her efforts to build a positive workplace culture that values employee contributions and prioritizes collaboration.

[00:40:00 – 00:47:00] Kristy reflects on the invaluable lessons she learned from her father and how they continue to influence her leadership style. She discusses the importance of maintaining a balance between personal values and professional ambitions, offering advice to aspiring leaders on resilience and adaptability. Kristy’s reflections highlight her dedication to creating a legacy rooted in respect, growth, and a commitment to empowering her team.

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