Jeremiah Runyon_ Driving Growth and Operational Excellence at Superior Logistics.pdf

One such leader is Jeremiah Runyon, Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Superior Logistics, who has been instrumental in driving the company’s growth and long-term success.

1. Jeremiah Runyon: Driving Growth and
Operational Excellence at Superior Logistics

Every successful business depends on more than just great products—it relies on
the ability to get those products into customers’ hands safely, on time, and
without hassle. When that link in the chain is missing, costs rise, frustrations
build, and trust begins to fade. That’s where skilled supply chain strategists step
in, turning what could easily become chaos into a smooth, reliable process. By
combining technology with thoughtful leadership, they keep operations efficient,
teams connected, and customers satisfied. One such leader is Jeremiah Runyon, Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Superior
Logistics, who has been instrumental in driving the company’s growth and
long-term success. His work includes streamlining processes, improving
efficiency, ensuring safety and compliance, scaling teams across multiple states,

2. and fostering employee development—all of which contribute to the company’s
resilience and expansion.
Under Jeremiah’s leadership, Superior Logistics managed rapid growth, doubling
its staff through an acqui-hire while keeping operations smooth. During the
pandemic, he introduced safety measures and contactless deliveries, and shared
best practices with industry coalitions. His safety programs also cut auto
insurance loss ratios by 49% in two years.
These efforts, along with his focus on innovation and customer service, helped
the company earn awards like the Zennie Award for Growth in 2019 and
recognition as a Top Last Mile Delivery Company in 2021. Today, Jeremiah
Runyon continues to guide Superior Logistics as it expands into new states, grows
its services, and prioritizes sustainability—making it a trusted, customer-focused
logistics provider.
Early Career and Hands-On Logistics Experience
Jeremiah Runyon joined Superior Logistics Ohio in April 2018 after relocating to
Los Angeles, starting out as Chief People Officer. In this role, he was responsible
for supporting the company’s expansion and building its first HR and People
Operations strategy. A few years later, he transitioned into the position of Chief
Operating Officer, a role that closely aligned with his background in business
operations and logistics. Known for thriving in fast-paced environments, he has
always focused on problem-solving, improving efficiency, and leading people
effectively. Logistics has long been a part of Jeremiah’s career. He worked for one of the
largest privately owned furniture store chains in West Virginia, which gave him
early, hands-on experience in the home furnishings and delivery industry. When
Superior Logistics, a company that serviced his former employer, approached
him, it felt like a natural fit.

3. Leading a distributed workforce remotely from California added to the challenge,
but it was one he welcomed. What truly resonated with him was the company’s
strong people-first culture, which matched his own values. From the beginning,
he recognized that combining operational discipline with employee-focused
leadership would be the key to driving Superior Logistics’ sustainable growth.

Strong Reputation For Reliability and Quality
Jeremiah Runyon was drawn to Superior Logistics for several reasons. The
company’s strong reputation for reliability and quality in “white-glove, final mile”
home furnishings delivery stood out. What impressed him equally was the
leadership’s commitment to a people-first culture—despite rapid growth, the
company maintained personal connections with employees, keeping morale,
engagement, and inclusivity strong.

4. After Jeremiah Runyon joined Superior Logistics, it was recognized through
awards like the 2019 Zennie Award for Growth and the 2021 Top Last Mile
Delivery Company honor from Retail Tech Insights.
He also found the opportunity to manage a distributed workforce across multiple
states using technology, both challenging and exciting. Most importantly, the
company’s values aligned with his own, treating employee engagement,
inclusivity, and well-being as vital to success, alongside business growth, making
Superior Logistics the ideal professional environment for him.
Managing a Distributed Team Across Multiple States
As Superior Logistics continued to grow, the company encountered several
significant challenges that tested its ability to scale while staying true to its
values:
●​Rapid workforce expansion: In March 2019, Superior Logistics doubled
its employee base overnight through an “acqui-hire” of 32 delivery staff
from one of its largest clients. This brought the total workforce to 94
employees across 10 locations in three states. Managing onboarding,
benefits, and payroll for such a distributed team required strong systems
and processes.
●​COVID-19 pandemic: The pandemic caused major disruptions in the
supply chain, including labor shortages, delivery delays, and
unpredictable demand. Ensuring business continuity while protecting
the safety of employees and customers demanded quick adaptation and
careful planning.
●​Maintaining culture during rapid growth: As the company scaled
quickly, staying true to its people-first culture became a key challenge. It
required active leadership engagement, clear and consistent
communication, targeted training, and a strong focus on employee
experience to keep the team connected and motivated.

5. Prioritizing Safety Across the Workforce
Superior Logistics’ approach blends technology, operational discipline, and
strategic investment in its people. They implemented a HR platform to
streamline onboarding, time and attendance tracking, benefits, and payroll.
This allowed them to:
●​Reduce hire-to-start time from six days to three.
●​Offer a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, vision,
life insurance, short-term disability, and 401(k), funded in part through
cost savings from seamless payroll integration.
●​Empower employees to manage their own HR details, freeing
supervisors to focus on delivering exceptional customer service rather
than administrative tasks.

6. The company also heavily invested in its workforce, focusing on the full employee
lifecycle—from entry-level positions to retirement—to ensure loyalty, growth, and
long-term retention. During the pandemic, they implemented strict health
protocols, contactless delivery options, and joined the Coalition to Stop the
Spread to adopt and share best practices for safety.
Safety remained a key priority as well. In partnership with Marsh McLennan
Agency, they developed a comprehensive safety program to reduce auto accident
claims. This included monthly safe driving training, a customized defensive
driving program, and compliance monitoring through the Department of
Transportation portal. Over two years, the auto insurance loss ratio dropped by
49%, while the frequency and severity of accidents were significantly reduced.
Operational Excellence at the Core
Superior Logistics distinguishes itself through a combination of operational
excellence, advanced technology, and a strong customer-focused approach. The
company uses a hybrid delivery model that blends employee-based and
contractor-based services, ensuring high-quality delivery while keeping costs
competitive. Its offerings include white-glove delivery, furniture assembly, and
complete appliance installations.
The workforce undergoes thorough vetting and specialized training, earning a
“Superior Certified” designation that reflects the company’s commitment to
excellence. Customer satisfaction guides every decision.
Delivery teams follow precise schedules, provide live tracking, communicate
proactively with customers, and wear co-branded uniforms to represent client
brands professionally. Each client is supported by a dedicated account manager
who oversees all aspects of the engagement, ensuring efficiency, high-quality
service, and peace of mind.

7. Advanced Software for Optimal Truck Routing
Technology plays a central role in Superior Logistics operations. Trucks are
routed using advanced software to ensure maximum efficiency, while AI-powered
chatbots keep customers informed in real time about delivery status and any
changes. Safety programs are tracked through connected devices in the fleet, and
back-office operations use data analytics to continuously improve service.
AI and automation help simplify repetitive tasks, freeing up time and resources
for employee development, training, and enhancing customer satisfaction.
Almost every part of the business, from route planning to delivery scheduling,
relies on technology to maintain consistent reliability and high-quality service.
Partnering for a Greener Future
In 2021, Superior Logistics became a member of the U.S. EPA SmartWay
Transport Partnership, a program designed to help businesses assess and reduce
their environmental impact. Through this partnership, the company has made
significant contributions to lowering fuel consumption, CO2 emissions, NOx, and
particulate matter—equivalent to eliminating the annual energy use of over 20
million homes.
Sustainability is a core part of the company’s corporate responsibility and
operational strategy, demonstrating its commitment to environmental
stewardship while maintaining high standards of operational excellence.
Customers First
Customer satisfaction is central to the Superior Logistics operations. Each
engagement starts with identifying client challenges and designing solutions that
balance efficiency, cost, and service quality. Teams are trained to resolve on-site

8. issues promptly, reducing the need for follow-ups and ensuring a smooth,
seamless experience.
Every client is supported by a dedicated account manager who oversees all
logistics and delivery activities, providing personalized attention and
accountability. The company’s white-glove services, live tracking, co-branded
uniforms, and proactive communication work together to deliver a premium and
reliable experience for every end customer.
Advice For Leaders In Logistics
When asked about advice for other leaders in logistics or business operations,
Jeremiah Runyon emphasizes three key principles:
1.​Invest in people: Employees are irreplaceable. Supporting their
development, safety, and well-being ensures long-term business success.
2.​Leverage expertise: You don’t need to be an expert in everything. Build a
network of trusted professionals who can provide guidance when
needed.
3.​Focus on daily impact: Approach each day with consistent effort.
Challenges may arise, but the key is to end each day feeling proud of
what was accomplished.
The Art of Intentional Work-Life Balance
Achieving balance can be particularly challenging in the logistics industry.
Jeremiah Runyon often observes operational intricacies in everyday
environments, such as restaurants or amusement parks, to reflect on efficiency
and coordination. For him, balance means dedicating time to family, friends, and
personal well-being while maintaining focus and passion for his work. He
believes that, when prioritized intentionally, work and personal life can coexist
harmoniously.

9. Future Plans
Superior Logistics is focused on growth, innovation, and operational excellence.
This includes:

●​Expanding its footprint into Indiana, Kentucky, and West Virginia.
●​Broadening services in the appliance, home furnishings, and spa sectors.
●​Streamlining onboarding processes for new retailers.
●​Leveraging AI and technology to improve efficiency while investing in
employee training.
Its hybrid delivery model allows the company to maintain accountability and
quality while offering competitive pricing, enabling clients to focus on driving
sales. Sustainability, safety, and customer experience remain central to its growth
strategy as it continues innovating in the logistics space.

10. Jeremiah Runyon’s 5 Impactful Business Mantras
●​Invest in People: Prioritize employee growth, safety, and well-being to
build a loyal, high-performing team
●​Leverage Technology: Use AI and automation to streamline operations
and improve efficiency
●​Maintain Operational Discipline: Standardize processes to ensure
reliability, quality, and scalability
●​Put Customers First: Deliver solutions that enhance satisfaction, trust,
and long-term relationships
●​Balance Work and Life Intentionally: Align personal well-being with
professional excellence for sustainable leadership.