How Entrepreneurial Leadership Drives Growth & Innovation in Supply Chain

Most companies don't have a transportation problem. They have a management problem.

In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott W. Luton, together with co-host Kim Humphrey, President and CEO of AME, is joined by Onu Okebie, CEO of HTL, for a straight-talking conversation on freight, entrepreneurship, and what it actually takes to build a logistics company from scratch in one of the most volatile markets in recent memory. From buying his first truck to completing five acquisitions in five years and growing HTL 15X, Onu brings a grounded, finance-first perspective to questions most operators avoid. Kim adds her continuous improvement lens to the mix, drawing connections between change management, organizational culture, and the kind of problem-solving mindset that separates companies that adapt from those that stall.

The conversation covers a lot of ground: how the freight recession really unfolded and what's actually driving the current shift in pricing, why transportation remains the most mismanaged cost on a shipper's P&L, where human judgment stays irreplaceable even as AI reshapes logistics, and what it looks like to build a company where entrepreneurial instinct and operational discipline coexist. If you're leading through change, thinking about growth through acquisition, or trying to figure out how to position your organization for what's coming next in freight and technology, this one is worth your time.

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Intro

(02:44) Onu Okebie's background and entrepreneurial origins

(09:30) HTL's growth story and five acquisitions in five years

(16:27) Lessons from M&A and how people embrace change

(20:27) Balancing entrepreneurial culture with systems and scale

(24:10) The freight market breakdown and what's driving the current shift

(29:19) Human judgment vs. AI in logistics and why both matter

(35:19) The five-year outlook and going AI-led as an organization

(39:37) Key takeaways on mindset, people, and embracing change

Additional Links & Resources:

• Connect with Onu Okebie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/onuokebie/
• Learn more about HTL Freight: https://gohtl.com/
• Connect with Kim Humphrey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberlee-kim-h-5977474/
• Learn more about AME: https://www.ame.org/
• Learn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/about
• Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com
• Watch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-now
• Subscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/join
• Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://supplychainnow.com/media-kit/
• WEBINAR- Peak Reality Check: What Shippers, Analysts, and AI Models Are Predicting for 2026: https://bit.ly/4aTlsRv
• WEBINAR- The Future of Supply Chains: Where Talent Meets Technology: https://bit.ly/4uUuxkc

This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/how-entrepreneurial-leadership-drives-growth-innovation-supply-chain-1603

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