In this ongoing Employee Spotlight blog series, we’re helping you get to know members of the Trucker Tools team. In this newest spotlight, you’ll be learning more about Kyler Ford. Kyler first joined the Trucker Tools team just about a year ago as Vice President of Sales and recently moved into a new role as Trucker Tools’ Chief Revenue Officer. Before he came to Trucker Tools, Kyler worked for two venture capital-backed freight tech companies. In these positions, he focused on telematics, ELDs, route optimization and payment processing, experience that is serving him well in his new CRO role.
Say hello to Trucker Tools’ Chief Revenue Officer, Kyler Ford!
Name: Kyler Ford
Title: Chief Revenue Officer
Hometown: Bedford, Pa.
First Concert: Garth Brooks
Most Recent Concert: James Taylor
Favorite Sport: College Football
What Kyler Does at Trucker Tools
“In my current role as Trucker Tools’ Chief Revenue Officer, I’m really accountable for driving integration and alignment between all revenue-related functions,” Kyler shared. “Those include marketing, sales, business development and holistic revenue. I’m also part of a really strong leadership team that’s constantly pushing each other. One of the characteristics of a successful team is that everyone is willing to push the envelope and we’re all willing to get out of our comfort zones. We share open and honest feedback with one another and continuously look in the mirror to see where we can get better.”
B.T.T. (Before Trucker Tools)
“Prior to Trucker Tools, I was in the payment processing and factoring space helping brokerages with factoring needs, advanced backend automation and payment processing,” Kyler said. “Before that, I worked in telematics with electronic logging devices, route optimization, in-cab technology and backend dispatch software for carriers. The knowledge base I built in those two jobs along with my previous experience in insurance brokerage gives me an understanding of our customers’ pain points and helps me speak their language.”
“Prior to Trucker Tools, I was in the payment processing and factoring space helping brokerages with factoring needs, advanced backend automation and payment processing,” Kyler said. “Before that, I worked in telematics with electronic logging devices, route optimization, in-cab technology and backend dispatch software for carriers. The knowledge base I built in those two jobs along with my previous experience in insurance brokerage gives me an understanding of our customers’ pain points and helps me speak their language.”
What Kyler Likes About Trucker Tools’
Company Values and Culture
“Number one, Trucker Tools is a people first company,” said Kyler. “We truly do put people and their interests first, above all else. I think that is pretty remarkable. We have a culture of team over self where everyone contributes cross-departmentally to achieve common goals, which is unique compared with many companies where the individual mindset can exist. Trucker Tools is the opposite of that. We have a team first mentality and everyone’s willing to jump in and help. Then the last piece, which is really important in today’s atmosphere and maybe more so than previous years, is we have a strong sense of work-life balance. That doesn’t mean we don’t work hard. It means that we set really clear boundaries and expectations for what the job means and outside of that is your personal life and welfare. I think that’s super important.”
Kyler’s Mentor, Tom Grealish
“I’ve been lucky to have had a lot of really great mentors, but my closest mentor is Tom Grealish,” Kyler said. “He is the owner of the first firm that I worked for out of college and has become one of my closest friends. He owns an insurance brokerage in Pittsburgh that is over 125 years old, but he also is really influential in the region in terms of board positions and involvement with the Pittsburgh Penguins. We met when I was working at my summer job during college and he invited me to interview at his firm. Since then, Tom has taught me a ton about the business world, such as how to build strong relationships with clients, develop strategic business plans and work through difficult situations. He’s given me insight into a lot of things that most people my age or in my position aren’t privy to. Tom has shared a lot of his experiences and has been candid about things that he’s been through. I’ve greatly benefited from Tom’s 30 years of experience without having to experience it myself, which you can imagine has been very helpful in my career.”
“I’ve been lucky to have had a lot of really great mentors, but my closest mentor is Tom Grealish,” Kyler said. “He is the owner of the first firm that I worked for out of college and has become one of my closest friends. He owns an insurance brokerage in Pittsburgh that is over 125 years old, but he also is really influential in the region in terms of board positions and involvement with the Pittsburgh Penguins. We met when I was working at my summer job during college and he invited me to interview at his firm. Since then, Tom has taught me a ton about the business world, such as how to build strong relationships with clients, develop strategic business plans and work through difficult situations. He’s given me insight into a lot of things that most people my age or in my position aren’t privy to. Tom has shared a lot of his experiences and has been candid about things that he’s been through. I’ve greatly benefited from Tom’s 30 years of experience without having to experience it myself, which you can imagine has been very helpful in my career.”
What Kyler Enjoys Outside of Work
“I like to play golf and tennis and I love music,” Kyler said. “I like to go to concerts and shows and enjoy spending time with my friends and family. I have a one year old son and spend most of my time playing with him. As a former college football player, watching college football is probably my favorite, but I’m also big into hockey, baseball and basketball. I enjoy trying new food, new restaurants and wine. I’m a big California Cab guy.”
What Kyler’s Co-Workers May Not Know
About Him
“I’m a big dirt track racing fan,” Kyler shared. “That’s something that people might not know. I grew up around racing and my last name is kind of synonymous with cars. I spent a lot of time going to tracks all over the country, whether it was dirt track racing or NASCAR. I’m a semi redneck in that regard and I really like those things a lot, even though my day to day lifestyle is on the other side of that scale. I come from a blue collar family. Whenever I’m back home in Bedford, I’m doing more manual labor things and getting down and dirty with stuff, which is kind of another side of me that probably a lot of people don’t see. I enjoy building things and when I have time, helping others do the same.”
“Get To Know Adam Pollock, Trucker Tools’ Customer Support Representative and Team Lead.”
