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In this episode of the Trucking Risk and Insurance Podcast, I sit down with industry veteran Kim Richardson, President of KRTS and TransRep, to discuss the absolute "Gold Standard" of professional accreditation. With over four decades of experience each, we dive deep into why NATMI (North American Transportation Management Institute) certification is the definitive benchmark for safety professionals across North America.


Kim shares why university-backed credentials like the Certified Director of Safety (CDS) and Certified Driver Trainer (CDT) are essential for anyone looking to be recognized as an expert—whether in the boardroom or as an expert witness in court. We also discuss the groundbreaking movement toward a Truck Driver Red Seal trade designation in Canada, a move that aims to finally legitimize the incredible skill set of professional drivers on par with other skilled trades.

In this interview, we cover:

The Power of NATMI: Why university accreditation from the University of Denver sets these courses apart.

The Red Seal Initiative: An update on the Professional Truck Training Alliance of Canada (PTTAC) and the push for national trade recognition by 2028.
Heartwarming Success: A moving story from a recent course in Leamington about a new Canadian's journey to certification.

Advanced Training Tools: How high-tech Vrive simulation and winter driving courses are changing the game for corporate fleets.

Whether you are interested in Fleet Safety Compliance, Commercial Driver Training, or the future of the Red Seal Truck Driver, this episode is packed with insights on elevating the industry through higher education.

Contact Kim Richardson:
1 905 765 3445
https://www.krway.com/
https://transrep.ca/

More information about NATMI:
https://natmi.org/

More information about Professional Truck Training Alliance of Canada
https://transrep.ca/

Reach out to Host Chris Harris:
chris@safetydawg.com
905 973 7056

00:00 Intro and Meet Kim Richardson
01:35 What is NATMI?
02:40 University Accreditation & Global Standards
03:45 Using CDS Certification for Expert Witness Testimony
05:00 Why Canadian Carriers Need NATMI Standards
06:30 The CDSC: A Tailored Version for Canada
08:00 Delivering Training On-Site: The Windsor Story
09:05 A Heartwarming Success: "My Son Will Be Proud"
12:45 How Certification Impacts Instructor Pay & Career Paths
14:40 The Trio: CDT, CDS, and Accident Investigation
19:45 KRTS Services: Heavy Equipment & Global Training
21:00 The Power of Vrive Simulation & Winter Driving
22:30 The Road to Red Seal: Professionalizing the Trade
23:30 What is a Red Seal Trade?
24:35 Targeting 2028: The Provincial Push for Recognition
25:40 Why Trucking Skills Equal Plumbers & Electricians
28:00 Reflection: 30 Years of Friendship & Industry Growth
29:45 Conclusion & White Glove Service

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In this episode, we sit down with Dan Brink, Chief Revenue Officer at Fleet Owl, to discuss how mid-sized fleets are navigating the complex intersection of tradition and technology. As a third-generation trucker, Dan brings a unique perspective on why the "freight recession" is hitting hard and how operational AI is becoming the secret weapon for survival in 2026.

We dive deep into the rising threat of cargo fraud—including the infamous "lobster heist"—and explain how modern TMS (Transportation Management Systems) are moving beyond simple data entry to become proactive security and profitability tools.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to differentiate between AI "hype" and actual operational tools.
• Strategies for mid-sized fleets to maintain margins during a market downturn.
• Why legacy systems are leaving your cargo vulnerable to sophisticated fraud.
• The future of port logistics and the role of Navy-grade efficiency in trucking.

TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 - Introduction: The State of Trucking in 2026 0:45 - Dan Brink’s Journey: From 3rd Gen Trucker to Tech Leader 03:12 - Why Mid-Sized Fleets are Feeling the Squeeze 06:40 - AI vs. The Hype: What "Operational AI" Actually Means 10:15 - The $400K Lobster Theft: How Cargo Fraud is Evolving 14:50 - Legacy TMS vs. Modern Tech: Why Your Software is a Liability 19:30 - Navigating the Freight Recession: Practical Survival Tips 24:05 - The Future of Fleet Owl and Port Logistics Efficiency 28:45 - Closing Thoughts: Keeping the Industry Human in a Digital Age

Connect with Fleet Owl: 🌐 Website: https://www.fleetowl.com 🔗 LinkedIn: [Link]

Subscribe for more insights into the future of freight and logistics!

#Trucking #Logistics #FleetManagement #AI #CargoFraud #TMS #FleetOwl #SupplyChain

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In this episode, we sit down with personal injury attorney Aaron to discuss the staggering financial risks facing motor carriers today. From the rise of "nuclear verdicts" to the legal traps that can leave small fleets personally liable, we break down why the industry is currently under-insured and over-exposed.

We dive deep into the legal and insurance mechanisms that every owner-operator and fleet manager needs to understand to survive in today's litigious environment.

The "Reptile Theory" Explained: How plaintiff attorneys leverage jury emotions and anger against corporations to spark massive, "nuclear" awards.

Get in Touch with Aaron Setareh,
Instagram handle: attorney_aaron

Email: ars@bdj.com

Website: bdj.com


The $750k Insurance Trap: Why the federal minimum liability limit—set in the 1980s—is dangerously outdated compared to modern medical costs and life care plans.

MCS-90 & Underreporting Drivers: The severe consequences of misleading your insurer, including the right of the insurance company to seek reimbursement directly from you.

Joint and Several Liability: A terrifying reality where you can be held responsible for 100% of the damages even if you were only minimally at fault.

The "Get Your Own Lawyer" Warning: What it means when your insurance company tells you to hire independent counsel
00:00 – Meet Attorney Aaron: An introduction to Aaron and his personal injury practice in California and Nevada.


01:00 – What are Nuclear Verdicts?: Discussing the massive jury awards and how "Reptile Theory" is used to spark them.



02:53 – Why Trucking Premiums are Skyrocketing: The impact of rising medical costs and underreporting drivers.


04:00 – The Outdated $750k Minimum: Why federal insurance limits haven't kept pace with modern expenses.



06:45 – The Reality of a Pile-up: How a single multi-vehicle accident can instantly swallow a $750,000 policy.



09:20 – The "Mom and Pop" Risk: Why small fleets are particularly vulnerable to total bankruptcy.


10:30 – Denied Coverage & Bad Faith: What happens when an insurance carrier denies a claim due to unreported drivers.


14:40 – Insurance Companies on the Attack: Why insurers fight claims aggressively to protect their own policy limits.



15:30 – "Get Your Own Lawyer": What it means for your exposure when your insurer tells you to hire independent counsel.




19:40 – The MCS-90 Endorsement: Explaining how this federal requirement can lead to the insurer suing the trucking company for reimbursement.


25:35 – Joint and Several Liability: The "legal trap" where you pay for damages even if the accident wasn't your fault.




28:30 – Case Study: A real-world example of how low liability limits and joint liability devastated a claim in 2002.

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