In this episode of Behind the Wheelhouse, Jon and Justin sit down with Stephen Greer, CEO of VTI Specialized, for one of the most forward-looking conversations we’ve had on the show.

Stephen breaks down the future of VTI, the rising impact of autonomous trucks, the real math behind driver shortages, and why the cost of running a trucking company has jumped 34% in just a few years (with rates staying the same). He also discusses onboarding, insurance pressure, the flatbed market, VTI’s growth strategy, and why small-to-mid-sized carriers still win with speed, service, and trust.

In this conversation, we cover:

• VTI’s plan to double over the coming years

• The rise of autonomous trucks and who will feel it first

• Why the driver shortage is accelerating faster than people think

• The hidden cost drivers don’t understand (insurance, freight claims, safety pressure)

• Why onboarding, training, and safety investment must evolve

• Why transparency and communication keep drivers loyal

• What VTI looks for in new hires and new driver partners

• How smaller carriers can outperform mega fleets

• Why Stephen believes the industry will split into winners & losers over the next 5 years

• What young dispatchers, drivers, and agents need to learn NOW to survive the future of trucking

• The role AI will play in efficiency, planning, onboarding, and fraud detection

• Why “service over sales” is the future model for freight companies

If you're a driver, carrier, dispatcher, fleet owner, broker, or recruiter, this episode gives you a real look at where the industry is heading — and how companies like VTI Specialized are preparing for the next decade.

Follow Stephen Greer

VTI Specialized: https://vti-specialized.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-greer-b3000236/

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