Transportation Insight Founder and Chairman Named an Award Recipient for the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2015 Southeast Program

HICKORY, N.C., June 25, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Globally recognized supply chain innovator, business leader and humanitarian Paul Thompson was named an award recipient for the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2015 Southeast Program in the Services Category. Thompson accepted the honors at the EOY Awards Gala in Nashville, Tennessee last night for his entrepreneurial achievements as founder or co-founder of eight highly successful North American companies, business strategist for numerous not-for-profit organizations and visionary and top executive for Transportation Insight, the flagship brand in his corporate portfolio. Transportation Insight is a Global Trade Top 10 3PL and a North American leader in value-based Enterprise Logistics.

"I am very humbled and honored to receive this prestigious award," says Thompson. "As the revolution in entrepreneurship gains momentum across America, we see entrepreneurs are the lifeblood of job creation and innovation in this country. There is no greater reward than making American lives better by creating successful businesses and organizations. I've always measured success by the satisfaction of the people involved in my entrepreneurial endeavors – our clients, our associates and our business partners. They – along with my family – continue to be my inspiration."

In addition to Transportation Insight, Thompson is also the driving force behind multiple acquisitions and the success of CHTL Logistics, a transactional truckload logistics firm; Custom Shipping Solutions, an organization providing transactional less-than-truckload logistics; United Sourcing Alliance, a group purchasing entity; Total Insight, a LEAN consulting firm; and Property Acquisition Company, a real estate development organization.

Thompson's vision in creating Transportation Insight in 1999 was to provide consultative, value-based solutions to help shippers in a market made increasingly complex by trucking industry deregulation in the 1980s. The company's co-managed business model has since evolved from simple execution-based transportation management to end-to-end supply chain solutions including predictive, strategic planning – powered by analytics – with emphasis on supply chain engineering, technology, LEAN consulting and Big Data solutions.

"It is because of Paul's vision that Transportation Insight provides long-term value to our clients, and it is because of his servant's heart that our company has become a top Enterprise Logistics provider in North America," says Transportation Insight President and Chief Executive Officer Chris Baltz, a longtime friend and colleague of Thompson. "Under Paul's leadership, we have assembled an elite organization of like-minded associates who focus on achieving personal and professional excellence while helping to transform our community, our company and our clients for the better."

Transportation Insight and its clients have received logistics industry recognition for excellence, sustainability and growth. The Enterprise Logistics provider has appeared on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing privately-held companies in the United States every year since 2008 to become part of the elite Inc. Honor Roll. To continue its rapid growth, Transportation Insight launched its Vision 20/20 expansion plan in 2014 to become a $3.5 to $5 billion company by January 1, 2020 through acquisition and organic growth channels.

A highlight of the Vision 20/20 plan is Transportation Insight's new corporate headquarters which opens this summer with space to accommodate triple its current workforce.  With the fully-renovated 1930's-era Lyerly Mill as its centerpiece, the campus will be a catalyst to urban revitalization efforts in downtown Hickory, North Carolina.  The complex includes 70,000 square feet of office space and numerous amenities such as athletic fields, a workout center and a cafeteria employing a chef onsite. The campus fulfills current and future associates' desires for a career that includes fitness and healthy work-life balance.

Thompson has experienced significant business success, and his strategic work with numerous humanitarian organizations exemplifies his achievements with a higher purpose.  Thompson was instrumental in establishing the Transportation Insight Center for Entrepreneurship at Appalachian State University, and he devotes significant time and resources to Samaritan's Feet, Restore Global and many other organizations focused on lifting up those in need.

"Paul has taught me that true generosity is not measured in the size of one's gift, but in the magnitude of one's sacrifice and commitment to others," says Manny Ohonme, President and Co-founder of global humanitarian organization Samaritan's Feet. "We would not be where we are today without his vision, servant leadership and ability to help us create and execute a strategic roadmap far beyond our wildest dreams."

Randy Edwards, Vice Chancellor and Chief of Staff at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina, was Dean of the College of Business during the formative years of the Transportation Insight Center for Entrepreneurship. "Paul is the reason we have entrepreneurship at Appalachian," says Edwards. "He radically accelerated the success of the Center for Entrepreneurship by providing not only significant funding, but also a strategic vision that inspired us to 'go big or go home.'"

"The key to being a successful entrepreneur is to leverage the power of collaboration – one does not achieve significance going it alone," says Thompson. "While vision and focus on continuous improvement of the business model and its processes are critical, empowerment of and partnership with people lead companies to greatness."

"For 29 years, EY has recognized the remarkable efforts of business leaders and the dedication to the communities they serve," said Brad Duncan, EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Southeast Program Principal. "This group of award recipients truly demonstrates the passion, dedication and vision it takes to achieve remarkable success, and we are excited to honor them and share their stories."

As a regional award recipient for the Services category, Thompson was recognized alongside entrepreneurs in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee who demonstrate excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities. Thompson will now compete for national EY Entrepreneur Of The Year honors to be presented in November 2015 at the EY Strategic Growth Forum and national awards gala in Palm Desert, California.

About Transportation Insight, LLC

Transportation Insight is a global lead logistics provider with more than $3 billion in supply chain spend under management. For more than 15 years, the 3PL has partnered with hundreds of manufacturers, distributors and retailers to achieve significant cost savings, reduce cycle times and improve customer satisfaction rates by providing customized supply chain solutions. Transportation Insight offers a Co-managed Logistics® form of 3PL, carrier sourcing, freight bill audit and payment services, state-of-the-art transportation management system (TMS) applications and business intelligence. Its logistics services include domestic transportation, supply chain analytics, international transportation, warehouse sourcing, LEAN consulting and supply chain sourcing of indirect materials. For more about Transportation Insight, visit www.transportationinsight.com.

About EY Entrepreneur Of The Year

EY Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world's most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The unique award makes a difference through the way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global award of its kind, Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 145 cities in more than 60 countries.

Contact: Lisa Santos Farley Email: [email protected] Phone: 828-485-5000

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111012/MM85123LOGO

SOURCE Transportation Insight, LLC

Related Links

http://www.transportationinsight.com

WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM?

440k+
Newsrooms &
Influencers

9k+
Digital Media
Outlets

270k+
Journalists
Opted In

GET STARTED