Connie has over 30 years experience within the Logistics industry. Her background includes management areas of transportation, distribution operations, call center operations, marketing and sales. Connie’s career includes working for Mid Continent Warehouse, Chem-Lig International and USCO Distribution Services, Inc. (Kuehne & Nagel, Inc.) She has extensive background in project team management including analyzing start-up operations, developing new business opportunities, and systems design and implementation. Connie started her career at Aspen but went outside the company for 12 years and worked for other companies. Her father, Dan Sample, began to transfer the reins in 2002 when Connie was promoted to President. In January 2006, she purchased the Aspen companies from her father as he fully retired. In 2008, Aspen was recognized and certified as a Women-Owned company.

- Q and A -

Aspen has been a family run logistics business since its inception in 1978, bringing with it the values a dedication that their customers have come to love. Connie Anderson took over the reigns in 2001 as President. Since then under her leadership Aspen continues to blossom with new sales, new services and expanded markets. Growing their portfolio of customers, she has acquired the respect and requests for services from an assortment of clients from diverse industries - from fortune 500’s to the main-street small businesses. She has put the value of Customers First and stressed the importance serving your customers. This has continued to strengthen the Aspen team with a very clear direction and a culture of serving (and having fun!) This has allowed Aspen to become one of the nation’s top 100 3PLs according to Inbound Logistics Magazine. Here is an interview with Connie Anderson in her own words -

How did you become the President of Aspen?
I returned to Aspen in 1997. In early 2000 my dad and I began to talk about succession and my role in the company. I had already spent 20 years in the industry in a variety of positions. Since my return to Aspen I had implemented a new WMS and became Vice President of the company. My experience with other 3PLs gave me knowledge that allowed me to bring some new ideas to the company. Dad and I decided it was time for me to take the full reign with him moving into a CEO role. It worked really well. Since I love working with my dad it was great to work together to determine direction of the company. He was very supportive and we had a great time. Even now that he’s retired, we talk weekly about the business. He’s a great resource to me.

What were some of the biggest obstacles that you overcame on your way to a top executive?
The biggest obstacle was when I started in logistics there was not a lot of women in the business, certainly not in a management role. I had a lot of great friends in the business but they were all men. I had to learn to be “one of the guys” but at the same time be the only female. Being female in an industry that was male-dominated was challenging at times but I was very fortunate to work with a great group of people that really took care of me as I gathered more experience in the business.

What do you think growing up in the industry has done for you and your leadership style?
I have had 2 great role models in my career. My father was my first role model and continues to make a big impact on me. I learned some great lessons from him about logistics, servicing customers and how you work with people. Even though he was the boss he always had a great respect for everyone no matter their position. He expected a lot from me especially when I began to work for him. I never got preferential treatment. I have a great work ethic because of him. My other role model was Del Conner who I worked for at USCO Logistics (now Kuehne and Nagel). He understood the challenge for me being female in a male-dominated industry. He had daughters so he was always giving me advice on how to handle situations and positively impact others. I was lucky that both men allowed me to grow and encouraged me to try different things. These growth opportunities, good and bad, have molded me into the type of leader I am today. I’m still learning!

What sets your leadership apart from most other CEO’s?
You know when I started to think about my position, I was thinking, “Crap, now everyone is going to think I have all the answers!!” Truth is, I don’t. I am a firm believer of team. I know it’s cliché to say 2 heads are better than 1, but it’s true. I not only value receiving other people’s ideas but I expect it. My team must be able to challenge me. It creates a healthy respect between all of us and I want them to think that this is their business. I learn daily from them and hope that they are learning from me. Each person on my team brings something a little different – we are not clones of each other. But that’s what makes it work. We work hard, we get along (most of the time!) and we have fun. We have our arguments but that’s what happens in families!

What do you wish people knew about you?
Wow, I’m pretty much an open book. I have a strong faith and that helps me daily keep it all together. As I get older, the more I realize that it’s not about me but we all have a purpose here on earth and we need to make some type of impact. I am also an avid Soccer Mom. My husband, Dan and I have 3 boys, really now young men, and we all love soccer. They all play competitively and in college. We have attended 2 World Cups in South Korea and Germany and hope to make it to South Africa. Both Dan and I love music. We have sung most of our lives and really love to do that. Boy, you should hear us with the ‘70’s music! My executive team LOVES when I break out in song . . .

What do you need to do, and what does Aspen need to do to gain success in this competitive market space?
You know nothing can replace hard work and respect. We all work hard at what we do. I believe that somewhere along the line people have forgotten the Golden rule of “treat others as you would like to be treated”. I think with hard work, caring for our associates well, treating our customers right, servicing their customers with stellar service, building relationships with integrity, friendship and trust will make all the difference – a dash of humility helps too! We have been blessed and hope that we continue to do the right things to keep that going!