Ep. #42: Ryan Joyce, CEO of GenLogs - From CIA to Freight Tech Innovator

Nov 25, 2024

Ryan Joyce, CEO of GenLogs and former undercover CIA officer, shares his journey from national security to freight tech innovator. He discusses how a life-altering experience during 9/11 shaped his empathetic leadership style. Joyce highlights GenLogs’ mission to improve visibility in trucking through real-time roadside sensors, enabling better asset recovery and supply chain efficiency. He emphasizes the importance of vulnerability in leadership, sharing insights from his CIA experiences and the need for responsible growth in the freight sector.

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ANECDOTE

9/11 and its Impact

Ryan Joyce's 9/11 experience, where his father narrowly escaped the Pentagon attack, profoundly impacted him.
This led him to study Arabic and Middle Eastern culture, ultimately joining the CIA to prevent future terrorism.

ANECDOTE

Joining the CIA

Ryan Joyce joined the CIA after a rigorous vetting process involving psychological, medical, and polygraph tests.
He gained access to the U.S. intelligence community's resources, focused on thwarting terrorist threats.

INSIGHT

Empathy in Intelligence Work

Ryan Joyce emphasizes empathy as a crucial tool in his CIA work, understanding others' motivations to prevent harm.
He aimed to build trust and find common ground, even with those holding different beliefs.

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The episode features an in-depth conversation with Ryan Joyce, the CEO of freight intelligence startup GenLogs. Ryan shares his unique background, having previously worked as an undercover CIA officer, a path he unknowingly would find himself on after a frightening situation with his father working in the Pentagon during 9/11. He discusses how that experience shaped his empathetic approach to problem-solving and his desire to make a positive impact.
Ryan explains GenLogs' mission to bring unprecedented visibility and data insights to the trucking and freight industry through a nationwide network of roadside sensors. He outlines how GenLogs' technology can help recover stolen assets, provide capacity insights to brokers, and increase overall supply chain efficiency. Ryan emphasizes GenLogs' focus on responsible growth, as the organization will only be onboarding 200 customers in the next year to ensure high service levels.
Throughout the discussion, Ryan reflects on his leadership philosophy, emphasizing the importance of vulnerability and authenticity. He shares lessons learned from his time in the CIA, where he struggled with the pressures of leadership, and his desire to apply those learnings at GenLogs. Overall, the episode provides a fascinating look at Ryan's background and the unique approach he is bringing to the freight tech space with GenLogs.

***Episode brought to you by Rapido Solutions Group. I had the pleasure of working with Danny Frisco and Roberto Icaza at Coyote, as well as being a client of theirs more recently at MoLo. Their team does a great job supplying nearshore talent to brokers, carriers, and technology providers to handle any role necessary, be it customer or carrier support, back office, or tech services.***

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*** This episode is brought to you by Rapido Solutions Group. I had the pleasure of working with Danny Frisco and Roberto Icaza at Coyote, as well as being a client of theirs more recently at MoLo. Their team does a great job supplying nearshore talent to brokers, carriers, and technology providers to handle any role necessary, be it customer or carrier support, back office, or tech services. Visit gorapido.com to learn more.

A special thanks to our additional sponsors:

Cargado – Cargado is the first platform that connects logistics companies and trucking companies that move freight into and out of Mexico. Visit cargado.com to learn more.
Greenscreens.ai – Greenscreens.ai is the AI-powered pricing and market intelligence tool transforming how freight brokers price freight. Visit greenscreens.ai/freightpod today!
Metafora – Metafora is a technology consulting firm that has delivered value for over a decade to brokers, shippers, carriers, private equity firms, and freight tech companies. Check them out at metafora.net. ***