Board Member Spotlight: Richard Ellis, Estes Express Lines
As part of our Board Member Spotlight series, we’re pleased to feature Richard Ellis of Estes Express Lines, the newly appointed Chairman of the NMFTA Board of Directors. This series highlights the industry leaders helping guide the future of the association, offering a closer look at their experiences, perspectives, and vision for the less-than-truckload (LTL) industry.
With more than three decades of experience at Estes Express Lines, Richard brings extensive industry knowledge and a deep appreciation for the relationships and mentorship that have shaped his career. As he steps into his new role as Chairman, he is focused on strengthening industry collaboration, expanding NMFTA membership, and increasing carrier engagement to help position the LTL industry for the future.
In this Q&A, Richard reflects on his journey in trucking, the mentors who have influenced his leadership, and the opportunities he sees for NMFTA as the industry continues to evolve. He also shares a more personal look at his interests outside of work, including golf, hiking, music, and his enthusiasm for the Tennessee Volunteers.
As you step into the role of Chairman of the NMFTA Board of Directors, what are you most looking forward to?
The LTL industry is evolving rapidly, and driving this evolution requires a unified, proactive network. To secure our collective future, our immediate organizational focus centers on three clear goals: expanding NMFTA membership, maximizing carrier engagement, and solidifying our roadmap for the future of the LTL industry.
How did you get your start in the trucking industry, and what has your career journey looked like since then?
I was hired straight out of college to work for ARA/Smith’s Transfer. It was there that I went through their training program and gained exposure to all aspects of an LTL carrier’s business. What I learned in that program has helped me throughout my career.
I started in operations at Smith’s, but I could see the writing on the wall that the company was not going to survive. I left to take a position as a pricing analyst at Averitt Express, where I spent seven years and learned a great deal from Mark Davis.
As luck would have it, I happened to run into Paul Dugent at a conference. Paul had led some of my training at Smith’s, and he convinced me to come to Richmond to meet Rob Estes. After an hour-and-a-half meeting with Rob, I made the decision to leave Averitt and join Estes Express Lines.
I’ve now been at Estes for 32 years.
NMFTA brings together carriers that compete every day but also collaborate on issues affecting the entire industry. Why do you think that collaboration is important?
Collaboration is critical because the LTL industry relies on an interconnected ecosystem where no single carrier, shipper, or technology provider can solve systemic challenges alone. For an organization like NMFTA, collaboration isn’t just a corporate buzzword—it’s the operational mechanism that keeps the entire supply chain moving.
When carriers actively collaborate through NMFTA, it drives three essential outcomes for the industry:
- Establishing universal language and standards;
- Strengthening our collective defense against shared threats; and
- Preventing fragmentation across the industry.
Who have been some of the most influential mentors or leaders in your career, and what did you learn from them?
My career in this industry is really a story of three people who believed in me, challenged me, and shaped the leader I am today.
Mark Davis was the spark. He didn’t just introduce me to the pricing world; he opened a door to a career I hadn’t even imagined and gave me the foundational confidence to step through it.
Paul Dugent became my masterclass. He took that initial spark and fueled it with education—challenging me to dig deeper, think sharper, and truly master the complex strategies that drive our business.
Rob Estes saw who I could become. He looked past the numbers and challenged me to lead, convincing me to join the family here at Estes Express Lines. He didn’t just ask me to manage freight; he invited me to help transform the very heart and culture of our company.
I wouldn’t be where I am—or who I am—without their guidance, patience, and belief in my potential. I’m constantly reminded of the power of mentorship, and I hope to pay that investment forward to the next generation of leaders, both here at Estes and at NMFTA.
What do you see as the biggest opportunities facing the LTL industry right now, and where do you see NMFTA playing an important role?
The industry is transitioning into a highly automated, data-driven sector. Some of the biggest opportunities facing the LTL industry right now include the widespread adoption of AI-driven logistics, the monetization of terminal network capacity, and the transition to standardized, dynamic pricing models.
NMFTA acts as a central catalyst, enabling carriers and shippers to capitalize on these shifts and turn operational disruptions into strategic revenue opportunities.
If you had an unexpected week off with nothing on your calendar, how would you spend it?
I’d probably spend it golfing and hiking with my wife.
If we looked at your most-played music right now, what would we find?
Right now, I probably listen to Yacht Rock more than anything else.
Do you have a favorite sports team or sporting event you never like to miss?
My favorite team is my alma mater, the University of Tennessee! Rocky Top!
