Today we’d like to introduce you to Jonathan Salama.
Hi Jonathan, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born and raised in Paris and at 18, moved to the U.S. to attend the University of Miami. I was really drawn to the tech start-up space, so after college, that’s what I sought out. I was an early addition to the core engineering team at Gilt Groupe, where I oversaw a team of engineers and built the backend architecture which powered the company’s software solutions. I then moved on to be the lead software engineer at Cherry, an on-demand car wash startup that was later acquired by Lyft.
With this experience under my belt, I was looking for my next challenge and knew that I wanted to build something from the ground up. That’s when I was introduced to my business partner, Drew McElroy, who grew up in trucking and knew the brokerage business inside and out. Due to the huge lack of technological advancement in freight, we saw a massive opportunity for disruption. So, we co-founded Transfix, Inc. with the mission to create the world’s most connected and intelligent freight platform. I served as the company’s Chief Technology Officer for nine years, where I led a team of engineers and data scientists in developing and optimizing the AI-enabled technology infrastructure that powers the Transfix platform. My team also introduced the proprietary data-driven algorithm that matches shippers to carriers at scale, built out the company’s software suite, and enabled a capacity-led business model. Being able to create tools and programming that help both ends of the supply chain navigate one of its toughest, most unpredictable markets is a rewarding experience not just for me but for the whole team. At the top of the year, I transitioned to the role of Transfix’s Chief Executive Officer.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There are always bumps and setbacks along the way but I focus on the reason behind my work and that motivates me to keep going. The last few years, especially during COVID, have really forced the supply chain space to rethink the way it operates. This is an industry where up until a few years ago, folks in the chain only communicated via handwritten notes taken over the phone and fax. Now, we’re seeing more demand for automation and data-driven insights from both our shippers and carriers. We’re breaking the mold of a traditional transactional brokerage and serving as a trusted partner to our customers, providing the right tools to help them reach their goals. It’s a whole new business model that requires innovation as well as trial and error.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Transfix is an Intelligent Freight Platform™ that helps shippers and carriers manage and optimize freight networks at scale. We combine enterprise-grade, machine-learning technology with intuitive software and dedicated supply experts to enable organizations to deliver with high performance and high reliability, drive long-term strategy and capacity planning, and take empty miles off the road. We connect our network of nearly 30,000 carriers to shippers of all sizes with real-time freight matching and provide them the visibility they need to make their supply chains more efficient and environmentally responsible.
I am most proud of the impact Transfix has had and will continue to have on our environment. Sustainability – across environmental, social, and governance – has been a driving force throughout Transfix’s 10-year history.
Environmental: In this past year, we collected our own scope 1+2 data, strengthened our partnership with the EPA’s SmartWay program and grew our reporting prowess to help shippers achieve their ESG KPIs.
Social: We launched our Supplier Diversity Reporting initiative bringing DOT-level data on minority owned businesses to the procurement space to increase equity and access to a high-quality network of carriers across the country. We also hosted our first-ever Employee Resource Group Summit in the summer of 2022, bringing together senior management with the heads of our five ERGs.
Governance: We joined the United Nations Global Compact, officially integrated sustainability into the business, and formally launched our ESG Committee with SMEs in their respective verticals.
We also just wrapped one of my favorite events at Transfix – our semi-annual Hackathon. Members across the organization spend two days ‘hacking the system’ to create solutions, product features, or out-of-the-box projects to further efficiency and creativity into our business practices. It’s a lot of fun and almost always leads to new innovative projects getting added to our roadmap. I’m amazed at how talented and passionate the people at our organization are. We are really lucky.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Innovating, building, and leading. I’m grateful I’ve had the freedom to conceptualize and build industry-disruptive technology from the ground up. As a leader, I strive to empower my team to do their best work and grow into the best version of themselves. And over the years, my team has allowed me to do the same. There’s a great energy at our company and I’m proud of the culture we’ve built. This year, we celebrate a huge milestone – our ten-year anniversary and we’ve come such a long way because of the amazingly talented people that work tirelessly each and every day. I could not be prouder of our achievements. And this is just the beginning.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://transfix.io/
- Instagram: @transfix.io
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/transfixIO
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/transfixio/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/transfixIO
Image Credits
Transfix, Inc.
