Trucking Matters From Reliance Partners

Reliance Partners
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Presented by Reliance Partners, the Trucking Matters Podcast dives into the heart of the trucking and logistics industry, where safety, strategy, and success intersect. Hosted by Thom Albrecht, Chief Revenue Officer at Reliance Partners, this podcast is designed for fleet executives, safety professionals, owner-operators, drivers, and anyone navigating the world of commercial trucking. Each episode features leading voices from across the industry, tackling topics from the latest safety regulations and risk management trends to operational strategies, insurance updates, and freight market insights. Whether you’re behind the wheel or behind the scenes, Trucking Matters brings you the conversations that keep your business moving forward – safely and smartly.

  1. 5D AGO

    Exploring The Future of USMCA: Insights from Kenneth Smith Ramos

    Our guest for this Borderless Coverage edition of the Trucking Matters Podcast Series is Kenneth Smith Ramos, who served as the Chief Negotiator of USMCA for Mexico in 2018, playing a key role in the trade agreement’s ratification. In addition to his leadership on USMCA, Kenneth is the former Head of NAFTA from Mexico in Washington D.C. He currently serves as a partner at AGON in Mexico City, which is a full-service antitrust and regulatory group that focuses on the most complex issues in Mexico. Your host for this edition of the podcast is Borderless Coverage Founder Mark Vickers, who is an Executive Vice President and the Head of International Logistics at Reliance Partners. Mark will be talking with Kenneth about the intricacies of cross-border trade, the evolution of trade agreements and the future of USMCA. Kenneth also shares his journey from a government intern to a key figure in international trade negotiations, discussing the opportunities and challenges that he sees on the road ahead for Mexico and the United States in the context of global trade dynamics. RELIANCE CAN HELP: Are you in the market for cross-border insurance coverage? Borderless Coverage is a Reliance Partners‘ business that enables international companies to conduct safe and profitable business in North America and across North American borders. We provide cross-border insurance. Our team consists of business minded cross-border supply chain consultants, economists, insurance experts, lawyers and global trade agreement negotiators, including the most recent lead negotiators of USMCA from Mexico. To learn more about the offerings available through Borderless Coverage from Reliance Partners, please click here. The post Exploring The Future of USMCA: Insights from Kenneth Smith Ramos appeared first on PodWheels.

    32 min

  2. FEB 4

    Discussing Reliance Impact Safety Team Case Studies Related To CSA BASICS

    In this Safety Matters episode of the series, Reliance Partners Safety Impact Team Members Mark Barlar and Daniel Vega return to the podcast to highlight a collection of Case Studies they have compiled related to the work that Reliance Partners has done on behalf of clients navigating the FMCSA’s Compliance, Safety and Accountability Enforcement Program. Thom Albrecht, the Chief Revenue Officer at Reliance Partners, served as the host for this discussion that focused on real-world examples that are tied to the first four CSA Basics. As you will hear, the conversation highlighted how the Reliance Safety Impact Team has helped motor carriers identify issues, resolve challenges, and strengthen their safety performance. In addition, the insights shared offer practical takeaways that motor carriers can apply immediately within their own operations. This episode was originally shared on January 15th as part of the Reliance Partners live webinar series on the Seven Basics. SIGN UP FOR FEBRUARY’S LIVE WEBINAR: Reliance Partners will be holding its next live webinar covering the Seven BASICS Series on Thursday, February 12th at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. The February webinar will feature a discussion of the Controlled Substances/Alcohol BASIC. You can register for the Reliance Partners’ February 12th webinar by clicking here. The post Discussing Reliance Impact Safety Team Case Studies Related To CSA BASICS appeared first on PodWheels.

    49 min

  3. JAN 26

    LMCA’s Jerry Maldonado Building Bridges in Cross-Border Trade

    Jerry Maldonado, who is the Chairman of the Board for the Laredo Motor Carrier Association, is our guest for this Borderless Coverage edition of the Trucking Matters Podcast Series. Jerry is also part of the Management Team at Warren Transport, where he is the Director of Laredo and Mexico Operations. Jerry has over 20 years of successful management and leadership experience within the transportation industry, including serving as part of the Executive Committee and a Board Member with the Texas Trucking Association. As you will hear, Jerry shares insights on the future of cross-border trade and the importance of unity in the trucking community. Your host for this edition of the podcast is Borderless Coverage Founder Mark Vickers, who is an Executive Vice President and the Head of International Logistics at Reliance Partners. Mark will be talking with Jerry about his journey in the trucking industry and the importance of relationships in cross-border trade. They discuss the role of the Laredo Motor Carrier Association in advocating for the trucking industry, the infrastructure developments at the Port of Laredo and the challenges posed by tariffs and trade uncertainties. Jerry shares insights on the future of cross-border trade and the importance of unity in the trucking community. RELIANCE CAN HELP: Are you in the market for cross-border insurance coverage? Borderless Coverage is a Reliance Partners‘ business that enables international companies to conduct safe and profitable business in North America and across North American borders. We provide cross-border insurance. Our team consists of business minded cross-border supply chain consultants, economists, insurance experts, lawyers and global trade agreement negotiators, including the most recent lead negotiators of USMCA from Mexico. To learn more about the offerings available through Borderless Coverage from Reliance Partners, please click here. The post LMCA’s Jerry Maldonado Building Bridges in Cross-Border Trade appeared first on PodWheels.

    36 min

  4. JAN 12

    Cross-Border Trade Expert Martin Rojas Discusses Navigating Today’s Challenges

    For our first Borderless Coverage episode of 2026, we will be featuring the insights of Martin Rojas, a highly respected subject matter expert with more than 30 years of experience within the cross-border sector of the transportation industry. Martin has followed up nearly 20 years in leadership roles with the American Trucking Associations by serving for the past decade as the Senior Adviser for The Americas with the International Road Transport Union. Your host for this edition of the podcast is Borderless Coverage Founder Mark Vickers, who is an Executive Vice President and the Head of International Logistics at Reliance Partners. In addition to looking back at the changes that have taken place in cross-border over the course of Martin’s career, Mark and Martin discuss a number of topics related to what is happening in today’s cross-border market, including  the need for efficiency and certainty in trade operations, especially in light of tariff volatility and the upcoming USMCA 2.0. Martin also notes why partnership between government and industry is vital for addressing trade challenges. In addition, the conversation highlights the formation of the North America Transportation Forum aimed at improving collaboration among industry stakeholders. RELIANCE CAN HELP: Are you in the market for cross-border insurance coverage? Borderless Coverage is a Reliance Partners‘ business that enables international companies to conduct safe and profitable business in North America and across North American borders. We provide cross-border insurance. Our team consists of business minded cross-border supply chain consultants, economists, insurance experts, lawyers and global trade agreement negotiators, including the most recent lead negotiators of USMCA from Mexico. To learn more about the offerings available through Borderless Coverage from Reliance Partners, please click here. The post Cross-Border Trade Expert Martin Rojas Discusses Navigating Today’s Challenges appeared first on PodWheels.

    37 min

  5. 12/22/2025

    Super Transport International’s Ernesto Gaytan, Jr. Highlights Key Cross-Border Issues

    Ernesto Gaytan, Jr., General Manager of Super Transport International (STI), is our featured guest on this Borderless Coverage edition of the podcast. Ernesto and STI have become respected fixtures in Laredo, Texas, and within the cross-border sector of transportation in and out of Mexico. Ernesto helped lead the effort to establish the Laredo Motor Carriers Association and he is a past President of the LMCA. Ernesto has also served a term as President of the Texas Trucking Association.  Over the years, Ernesto has worked on a number of key issues related to cross-border, and, during this episode of the podcast, he provides valuable perspectives on a number of timely topics, including B-1 drivers, tort reform and USMCA. Ernesto also looks back at the early days of STI and notes the impact that his father, Ernesto Gaytan, Senior, made on the growth of cross-border transportation over the years. Your host for this edition of the podcast is Borderless Coverage Founder Mark Vickers, who is an Executive Vice President and the Head of International Logistics at Reliance Partners. RELIANCE CAN HELP: Are you in the market for cross-border insurance coverage? Borderless Coverage is a Reliance Partners‘ business that enables international companies to conduct safe and profitable business in North America and across North American borders. We provide cross-border insurance. Our team consists of business minded cross-border supply chain consultants, economists, insurance experts, lawyers and global trade agreement negotiators, including the most recent lead negotiators of USMCA from Mexico. To learn more about the offerings available through Borderless Coverage from Reliance Partners, please click here. The post Super Transport International’s Ernesto Gaytan, Jr. Highlights Key Cross-Border Issues appeared first on PodWheels.

    36 min

  6. 12/18/2025

    Exploring The Crash BASIC And Practical Strategies For Reducing Frequency And Severity 

    In this Safety Matters edition of the podcast, we will be exploring the Crash Indicators BASIC, and we will be covering practical strategies to reduce the frequency and severity of crashes. We will also discuss the best practices for what drivers should do immediately after an accident and the critical steps motor carriers must take to ensure proper response, documentation and follow-up. Mark Barlar and Daniel Vega from the Reliance Partners Safety Impact Team will be serving as subject matter experts throughout this episode. Prior to joining Reliance, both Mark and Daniel had long and distinguished careers as State Troopers working in the area of Commercial Vehicle Enforcement. Thom Albrecht, the Chief Revenue Officer at Reliance Partners, is your host and moderator for this episode, which is an edited release from the live webinar event hosted by Reliance Partners on December 11th. To learn more about Reliance Partners, please visit the company’s website by clicking here. The post Exploring The Crash BASIC And Practical Strategies For Reducing Frequency And Severity  appeared first on PodWheels.

    44 min

  7. 12/08/2025

    Top Attorney Carlos Sesma Discusses Mitigating Cross-Border Risks and Confianza Carrier Vetting Platform 

    Carlos Sesma, a Senior Partner at the Sesma, Sesma and McNeese Law Firm, connects with Trucking Matters from Mexico City for this Borderless Coverage edition of the podcast. Carlos, who earned the reputation as the top corporate attorney in Mexico for the transportation and logistics sector, is also a partner and co-founder of the Mexico carrier vetting and rating platform, Confianza. As you will hear, Borderless Coverage founder and podcast host Mark Vickers, who is an Executive Vice President and the Head of International Logistics at Reliance Partners, covers a broad range of timely topics with Carlos during the show. Along with discussing the continued steady growth of cross-border logistics that have followed the shift in supply chains away from China and toward Mexico, Mark and Carlos highlight the key considerations when looking at  the differences between the legal structures for transportation and logistics in Mexico versus the United States, such as the limited liability for registered Mexican carriers. They also note the importance of having proper contracts and insurance to mitigate risks. Carlos spends some time offering insights into why the Confianza platform was created with the aim of providing vetting and visibility for Mexican carriers to help build trust between them and U.S. shippers/brokers looking to work across the border. Looking at the road ahead, Carlos remains optimistic about the potential for continued growth in cross-border logistics, particularly with the upcoming renegotiation of the USMCA trade agreement. RELIANCE CAN HELP: Are you in the market for cross-border insurance coverage? Borderless Coverage is a Reliance Partners‘ business that enables international companies to conduct safe and profitable business in North America and across North American borders. We provide cross-border insurance. Our team consists of business minded cross-border supply chain consultants, economists, insurance experts, lawyers and global trade agreement negotiators, including the most recent lead negotiators of USMCA from Mexico. To learn more about the offerings available through Borderless Coverage from Reliance Partners, please click here. The post Top Attorney Carlos Sesma Discusses Mitigating Cross-Border Risks and Confianza Carrier Vetting Platform  appeared first on PodWheels.

    43 min

  8. 12/01/2025

    Safety Matters Edition: Understanding The Vehicle Maintenance BASIC

    Mark Barlar and Daniel Vega from the Reliance Partners Safety Impact Team serve as our guides for a look inside the Vehicle Maintenance BASIC. This Safety Matters episode of our series continues our exploration of the Seven Basics that are part of the FMCSA’s Compliance, Safety and Accountability Enforcement Program. In addition to being our subject-matter experts as we talk through the top violations related to Vehicle Maintenance, Mark and Daniel also shared recommendations to reduce out of service violations found within this BASIC. Thom Albrecht, the Chief Revenue Officer at Reliance Partners, is your host and moderator for this edition of the podcast, which is an edited release from the live webinar event hosted by Reliance Partners on November 13th. To learn more about Reliance Partners, please visit the company’s website by clicking here. The post Safety Matters Edition: Understanding The Vehicle Maintenance BASIC appeared first on PodWheels.

    44 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Presented by Reliance Partners, the Trucking Matters Podcast dives into the heart of the trucking and logistics industry, where safety, strategy, and success intersect. Hosted by Thom Albrecht, Chief Revenue Officer at Reliance Partners, this podcast is designed for fleet executives, safety professionals, owner-operators, drivers, and anyone navigating the world of commercial trucking. Each episode features leading voices from across the industry, tackling topics from the latest safety regulations and risk management trends to operational strategies, insurance updates, and freight market insights. Whether you’re behind the wheel or behind the scenes, Trucking Matters brings you the conversations that keep your business moving forward – safely and smartly.

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