Ground Transportation Podcast

Ken Lucci & James Blain
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  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated weekly

Take your transportation business to the next level.  Kenneth Lucci of Driving Transactions and James Blain of PAX Training share the secrets of growing a successful and profitable ground transportation company. On this podcast, you’ll hear interviews with owners, operators, investors, and other key players in the industry. You’ll also hear plenty of banter between Ken and James. Learn how you can grow revenue, train your team, drive higher profits, and boost owner income. Subscribe today!

  1. 11 hr ago ·  Video

    Teach Them How to Teach: Elevating Drivers from Instructors to Coaches

    Send us Fan Mail How do you turn your top 25-year veteran drivers into effective coaches who can actually explain the mechanics of safe maneuvers? In this episode, James Blain sits down with Julie Hotard Chalmers of Hotard Coaches to explore how passenger fleet operators can elevate internal training programs from informal ride-alongs into structured coaching systems. Julie shares the foundational philosophy passed down by her uncle Callan Hotard—that taking care of your drivers directly drives customer satisfaction and bottom-line profit. She unpacks why convenience must never be confused with safety, how breaking down departmental silos unites sales, maintenance, and safety teams, and how a breakthrough in turning geometry transformed veteran drivers into confident, coachable instructors. In this episode, you'll learn: How Callan Hotard’s driver-first rule directly protects profit margins and retentionWhy taking care of veteran drivers elevates them into coachable driving instructorsHow spatial geometry and cone setups cracked the code on teaching motorcoach U-turnsWhy convenience is never safety when delivering high-touch Southern hospitalityHow cross-departmental collaboration eliminates office silos between sales and safety CHAPTERS: 00:00 Welcome 01:26 Hotard Company Origins 03:01 Rebrands and Buying Back Hotard 05:07 Julie Joins the Business 06:31 Drivers First Philosophy 08:53 From Sales to Leadership 15:29 Taking the Helm Moment 18:45 Why Upgrade Training 21:48 Safety as Customer Service 26:56 Hospitality and BISC Visit 29:54 Building Better Instructors 45:58 U-Turn Breakthrough Story 51:17 Conclusion Learn more about Hotard Coaches Connect with Julie on LinkedIn Get out of the driver's seat and start building a REAL company. Join the Limo CEO Academy: the on-demand growth program built specifically for operators doing less than $1 million annually: https://www.limoceo.com/ Pax Training is your  all in one solution designed to elevate your team's skills, boost passenger satisfaction, and keep your business ahead of the curve. Learn more at www.paxtraining.com/gtp

    Teach Them How to Teach: Elevating Drivers from Instructors to Coaches

  2. 21 Oct ·  Video

    Making Safety Happen: Transforming Risk Management into Bottom-Line Profit

    Send us Fan Mail Are you growing top-line revenue only to give it all back through unmanaged risk, rising insurance premiums, and costly fleet accidents? In this impactful episode, Ken Lucci is joined by author, former Jetco Delivery CEO, and Acrisure executive Brian Fielkow to discuss his book, Making Safety Happen. Brian explains why safety can no longer be treated as a secondary administrative checklist or a reactive department called upon only after a crash. Instead, he makes the business case for establishing safety as a leader-driven, non-negotiable core value that directly protects operating margins, expands insurance options, and builds long-term enterprise value. From operationalizing two-way camera data for positive driver coaching to fixing behind-the-desk dispatch distractions and implementing a "just culture," Brian outlines a practical roadmap for passenger fleet operators. In this episode, you'll learn... Why safety must be a non-negotiable core value, not a shifting priority.How to use telematics for driver coaching rather than punitive write-ups.Why office dispatch errors and rushed schedules create driver safety risks.How the "just culture" model separates honest mistakes from reckless behavior.Why vetting affiliate partners protects your brand reputation in outside markets.CHAPTERS: 00:00 Welcome 02:12 Brian Fielkow Career Journey 06:47 Why Safety Drives Profit 09:42 Building a Safety Culture 20:46 Telematics and Coaching 25:23 High Risk Driving Behaviors 25:57 Cognitive Distraction Explained 27:10 Office Errors Create Risk 34:18 Just Culture Over Punishment 39:30 Safety Leadership And Affiliates 46:23 Action Plan And Wrap Up Pick up a copy of Brian's book, Making Safety Happen (available in hardcover) Connect with Brian Get out of the driver's seat and start building a REAL company. Join the Limo CEO Academy: the on-demand growth program built specifically for operators doing less than $1 million annually: https://www.limoceo.com/ Pax Training is your  all in one solution designed to elevate your team's skills, boost passenger satisfaction, and keep your business ahead of the curve. Learn more at www.paxtraining.com/gtp

    Making Safety Happen: Transforming Risk Management into Bottom-Line Profit

  3. 14 Oct ·  Video

    CD/NLA Fall Show 2026: Financial Control, Risk Mitigation, and Maximizing Show ROI

    Send us Fan Mail Are you attending the upcoming CD/NLA Fall Show in Washington, D.C., with a clear ROI strategy—or treating it like an expensive weekend away? In this action-packed episode, hosts Ken Lucci and James Blain deliver a comprehensive blueprint for getting maximum value out of industry conventions. Ken previews his signature financial workbook session on creating break-even budgets and "stop driving blind with your numbers", while James highlights why insurance providers are shifting focus to claim severity over accident frequency. Plus, they share practical event strategies—from digital business card scanning and pre-show agendas to leveraging operator mentoring and supporting political advocacy through the NLA PAC. In this episode, you'll learn: How to create a break-even budget using step-by-step P&L workbooksWhy insurance companies price premiums on claim severity over frequencyHow digital card scanner apps like Cardilio streamline show networkingWhy PAC funding and advocacy protect fleet operators from bad regulationHow operator mentoring and pre-show agendas maximize event ROICHAPTERS: 00:00 Welcome 01:45 Fall Show Schedule Conflicts 04:06 Ken’s Speaking Lineup 06:01 CD NLA Agenda Highlights 07:46 How to Work the Show 08:09 Business Card Scanning Tips 10:20 Podcast Takeover 14:11 Must See Legal Risk Session 14:32 Severity vs Frequency Insurance 22:45 Conference Sessions Preview 29:39 Why PAC Funding Matters 32:37 Network Like An Operator 36:09 Plan Review Repeat 39:33 Be Yourself At Shows 42:25 Sponsors And Metrics 45:44 See You In DC Learn more and register for the CD/NLA Fall Show October 25-27 in Washington, DC. Get out of the driver's seat and start building a REAL company. Join the Limo CEO Academy: the on-demand growth program built specifically for operators doing less than $1 million annually: https://www.limoceo.com/ Pax Training is your  all in one solution designed to elevate your team's skills, boost passenger satisfaction, and keep your business ahead of the curve. Learn more at www.paxtraining.com/gtp

  4. 7 Oct ·  Video

    TTA Mobilize 2026: Mixed Fleets, NEMT Expansion, and Proactive Risk Management

    Send us Fan Mail Is your fleet ready to play offense in 2026—or are rising insurance claims and shifting regulations threatening your bottom line? In this high-impact episode, James Blain sits down with Bill Rouse (fourth-generation transportation executive, former attorney, and President of the The Transportation Alliance) to preview TTA Mobilize 2026 in Anaheim, California. Bill breaks down why the ground transportation industry is finally shifting back to playing offense after years of TNC disruption and pandemic defense. He reveals how smart operators are building resilient mixed fleets around Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT), why insurance claims have replaced independent contractor disputes as the #1 threat to fleet operators, and how combining camera technology with big data analytics can cut accident frequency rates in half. In this episode, you'll learn: How mixed fleets and NEMT drive new growth after years of playing defenseWhy rising insurance claims have replaced IC disputes as the #1 fleet threatHow camera tech and big data cut accident frequency rates by up to 50%Key strategic tracks at Mobilize spanning NEMT, regulations, AV and AIWhy active driver coaching and proactive risk systems prevent costly claimsCHAPTERS: 00:00 Welcome 01:57 Bill Rouse Background 03:26 Lawyer to CEO Perspective 04:53 TNC Disruption and Survival 08:04 Mobilize Evolution and Energy 11:49 Mixed Fleets and NEMT Focus 15:07 Strategic Plan and Conference Tracks 22:47 Risk Management Preconference 25:05 Tech Driven Safety and Claims 36:36 Building a Full Claims System 45:52 Why Attend and Who to Send 47:59 Final Thanks and Outro Learn more about TTA Mobilize 2026 Get out of the driver's seat and start building a REAL company. Join the Limo CEO Academy: the on-demand growth program built specifically for operators doing less than $1 million annually: https://www.limoceo.com/ Pax Training is your  all in one solution designed to elevate your team's skills, boost passenger satisfaction, and keep your business ahead of the curve. Learn more at www.paxtraining.com/gtp

    TTA Mobilize 2026: Mixed Fleets, NEMT Expansion, and Proactive Risk Management

  5. 30 Sept ·  Video

    The Retirement Myth: Why Your Business Isn't an Exit Strategy

    Send us Fan Mail Are you banking on the future sale of your fleet to fund your retirement? In this candid episode, host Ken Lucci is joined by former ground transportation executive turned financial planner Steve Pitel of Socium Advisors and Northwestern Mutual. Together, they break down the harsh SBA statistics revealing that 70% to 80% of small businesses—and up to 80% of fleets under $5M—never successfully sell.  Steve outlines why treating your company as your sole retirement plan is a dangerous trap, why operators must separate "church and state" by paying themselves a market-rate W-2 salary, and how to build independent wealth long before planning an exit. From setting up tax-advantaged 401(k)s and SEPs to shielding against involuntary exits like the "5 Ds", this conversation delivers an essential financial roadmap for every founder. In this episode, you'll learn: Why 80% of small businesses never sell, debunking the future payday mythHow to pay yourself first with a market-rate W-2 salary from day oneHow 401(k)s and SEPs build tax-advantaged personal wealth outside the fleetWhy building a risk chassis protects your family against the 5 Ds of exitHow to establish emergency reserves for both personal and fleet protectionConnect with Steve Learn more about Socium Advisors Get out of the driver's seat and start building a REAL company. Join the Limo CEO Academy: the on-demand growth program built specifically for operators doing less than $1 million annually: https://www.limoceo.com/ Pax Training is your  all in one solution designed to elevate your team's skills, boost passenger satisfaction, and keep your business ahead of the curve. Learn more at www.paxtraining.com/gtp

  6. 23 Sept ·  Video

    The Safety & Training Playbook: Aligning Culture, Policy, and Incident Response

    Send us Fan Mail Are your company culture, driver policies, and accident response workflows truly aligned—or are you one incident away from a major negligence claim? In this comprehensive presentation expansion, James Blain delivers an all-encompassing masterclass on how safety, culture, policy, and incident response interconnect to protect passenger fleets. James unpacks the CEO Model (Customers, Employees, Owners), breaks down why traditional "cram and master" driver training fails, explains how unread or unenforced policies invite devastating legal liability, and exposes the psychological trap of the 72-Hour Rule following fleet accidents. In this episode, you'll learn: The CEO Model (Customers, Employees, Owners) Why insurance companies price premiums on accident severityWhy unread AI policies leave your fleet open to massive negligence claimsFour learning methods that replace ineffective "cram and master" onboardingThe 72-Hour Rule and how to stop rationalizing failures after fleet incidentsCHAPTERS: 00:00 Welcome 05:21 Safety Insurance Crisis 07:59 Customer Service Decline 12:09 CEO Model Foundation 22:34 Culture Drives Performance 26:22 SOPs Checklists Training 27:40 Policies That Shape Behavior 39:08 Training System That Scales 41:41 Proactive Training vs Telematics 43:53 Breaking the Feedback Loop 53:28 Four Methods That Stick 01:03:41 Ongoing Training Structure 01:10:00 Top Training Mistakes 01:20:03 72 Hour Rule After Incidents Get out of the driver's seat and start building a REAL company. Join the Limo CEO Academy: the on-demand growth program built specifically for operators doing less than $1 million annually: https://www.limoceo.com/ Pax Training is your  all in one solution designed to elevate your team's skills, boost passenger satisfaction, and keep your business ahead of the curve. Learn more at www.paxtraining.com/gtp

    The Safety & Training Playbook: Aligning Culture, Policy, and Incident Response

  7. 16 Sept ·  Video

    Grind to Great: 10 Signs You Own a Job, Not a Real Company

    Send us Fan Mail Are you building a scalable, multi-million-dollar asset? Or, are you trapped in a 7-day-a-week lifestyle job? In this foundational solo episode, Ken Lucci, founder of Driving Transactions and the Limo CEO Academy, launches the new Grind to Great series by delivering a frank wake-up call to ground transportation operators.  Drawing on decades of entrepreneurial experience and performance reviews across the industry, Ken reveals why so many founders don't actually own a company; they own a demanding job that revolves entirely around their personal energy. He walks through the 10 critical warning signs that prove you've become the operational bottleneck and details how to implement STP—Systems, Training, and Processes—to empower your team, make yourself the least important person in day-to-day operations, and build a business that can thrive without you. In this episode, you'll learn: How systems, Training, and processes removes you as the bottleneckWhy revenue stalls when sales rely on your personal energy instead of systemsHow if-then scripting and Ritz-Carlton rules empower staff to solve problemsHow to shift your role from daily grinder to high-level strategy and governanceWhy written SOPs and contingency plans protect your fleet in emergenciesCHAPTERS: 00:00 Welcome 01:46 From Grind to Great 03:38 Everything Stops Without You 05:47 Stuck in a Lifestyle Job 08:30 Too Involved in Decisions 10:02 The Business Is In Your Head 13:00 Revenue Depends on Your Energy 16:34 Employees Ask You To Solve Problems 19:09 You Are The Hub 22:40 You Cannot Predict Accurate Results 26:55 You Cannot Take a Day Off 32:34 The Business Stops When You Do 35:50 The Solution Get out of the driver's seat and start building a REAL company. Join the Limo CEO Academy: the on-demand growth program built specifically for operators doing less than $1 million annually: https://www.limoceo.com/ Pax Training is your  all in one solution designed to elevate your team's skills, boost passenger satisfaction, and keep your business ahead of the curve. Learn more at www.paxtraining.com/gtp

  8. 9 Sept ·  Video

    The Voice-First Dispatch: Running Real-Time Logistics via AI

    Send us Fan Mail Did you know that even the largest ground transportation companies manually keypunch up to 80% of their reservations? In this game-changing conversation, host Ken Lucci sits down with Harvard-educated economist and AI transformation consultant John Brewton to explore how operators can exploit this technology gap. John breaks down why the slow adoption of artificial intelligence isn't a tech issue, but a bureaucracy problem—giving agile, small-to-midsize fleets a massive competitive edge to become "AI native" and capture high-value market share from impersonal giants like Uber.  Together, they unpack the shift toward a hyper-personalized, concierge-grade travel market and share actionable, low-cost frameworks to turn standard passenger transactions into repeat clients. In this episode, you'll learn: How a $20 ChatGPT license let an Excel novice automate a massive data project in 24 hoursWhy agile, founder-led fleets can scale faster than conglomeratesHow the shift to voice-first AI will eliminate tedious manual reservation keypunchingHow to mine recorded call audio to automatically build a hyper-personalized customer CRMHow feeding customer service books into AI generates bespoke luxury hospitality strategiesCHAPTERS: 00:00 Welcome 01:48 From Academia to Family Business 04:48 Scaling Ops and Selling in COVID 10:59 ChatGPT Spark and AI Fluency 14:37 Transportation Industry Pain Points 17:48 Manual Reservations Meet AI 20:14 Voice First AI Agents 24:20 Seamless Concierge Experience 27:01 Building the AI Stack 27:55 Sizing Small Business Tech 28:58 Data Quality Beats Hallucinations 30:38 Training AI Like Staff 33:48 Voice Agents and Personalization 43:48 Small Business AI Advantage Connect with John Brewton on LinkedIn Subscribe to John's weekly newsletter #artificialintelligence #ai #transportation #entrepreneur #podcast Get out of the driver's seat and start building a REAL company. Join the Limo CEO Academy: the on-demand growth program built specifically for operators doing less than $1 million annually: https://www.limoceo.com/ Pax Training is your  all in one solution designed to elevate your team's skills, boost passenger satisfaction, and keep your business ahead of the curve. Learn more at www.paxtraining.com/gtp

    The Voice-First Dispatch: Running Real-Time Logistics via AI
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About

Take your transportation business to the next level.  Kenneth Lucci of Driving Transactions and James Blain of PAX Training share the secrets of growing a successful and profitable ground transportation company. On this podcast, you’ll hear interviews with owners, operators, investors, and other key players in the industry. You’ll also hear plenty of banter between Ken and James. Learn how you can grow revenue, train your team, drive higher profits, and boost owner income. Subscribe today!

Information

  • Creator
    Ken Lucci & James Blain
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    111
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Ground Transportation Podcast
  • Show Website
    Ground Transportation Podcast