Doug Payne
Pilon School of Business
Degree: Business - Marketing
Year of graduation: 1981
Limitless Opportunities
Although much has changed since Doug Payne graduated nearly 30 years ago, his advice to new grads differs little from that of more recent alumni: “Absorb; participate; it’s up to you. Sheridan has given you the knowledge and the confidence. Do not put boundaries on yourself.”
Doug has proven the validity of those words, with more than 25 years of experience in the transportation industry in senior executive positions, including his current role as President and COO of Nulogx.
The transportation field is a very large one with a wide scope of influence, says Doug. “Every product you see has been on a truck or has moved by a mode of transport at least once.” This staggering amount of goods and travel represents a big chunk of our economy. No wonder, then, that trends in the transportation industry are often harbingers of good or bad news on the economic front, says Doug. “In most cases, a product is transported well in advance of it being sold. So you can gauge which segments of the market are slowing down.”
Working in the transportation field also offers an insight into a multitude of businesses, from raw materials to food products, adds Doug. “In some ways the business is like a big puzzle and you are the problem solver.”
Prior to joining Nulogx in 2009, Doug held the position of Chief Operating Officer at Consolidated Fastfrate Inc. and was President of PBB North American Transportation. Doug started in the Intermodal Transportation business in 1982 as a Senior Partner in Sunac America and sold the company to Clarke 12 years later. As President of Clarke Logistics, Doug grew the company from one to 17 offices in Canada, USA and Mexico with over $200 million in revenues and 150 employees.
Doug looks forward to meeting the challenges facing his industry - such as currency fluctuations, rising costs and an aging driver workforce - as companies concentrate more on maximizing their profit in volatile markets. “The increased focus on profitability, globalization of business, and improved systems and technology will require creative, out-of-the-box thinkers.”
Sheridan prides itself on producing graduates who can meet this need by teaching students to apply knowledge creatively. With its small class sizes and high level of faculty interaction, Sheridan proved to be an excellent alternative to university, says Doug. “The program offered practical, hands-on experience confronting real-world challenges.”
Although much has changed since Doug Payne graduated nearly 30 years ago, his advice to new grads differs little from that of more recent alumni: “Absorb; participate; it’s up to you. Sheridan has given you the knowledge and the confidence. Do not put boundaries on yourself.”
Doug has proven the validity of those words, with more than 25 years of experience in the transportation industry in senior executive positions, including his current role as President and COO of Nulogx.
The transportation field is a very large one with a wide scope of influence, says Doug. “Every product you see has been on a truck or has moved by a mode of transport at least once.” This staggering amount of goods and travel represents a big chunk of our economy. No wonder, then, that trends in the transportation industry are often harbingers of good or bad news on the economic front, says Doug. “In most cases, a product is transported well in advance of it being sold. So you can gauge which segments of the market are slowing down.”
Working in the transportation field also offers an insight into a multitude of businesses, from raw materials to food products, adds Doug. “In some ways the business is like a big puzzle and you are the problem solver.”
Prior to joining Nulogx in 2009, Doug held the position of Chief Operating Officer at Consolidated Fastfrate Inc. and was President of PBB North American Transportation. Doug started in the Intermodal Transportation business in 1982 as a Senior Partner in Sunac America and sold the company to Clarke 12 years later. As President of Clarke Logistics, Doug grew the company from one to 17 offices in Canada, USA and Mexico with over $200 million in revenues and 150 employees.
Doug looks forward to meeting the challenges facing his industry - such as currency fluctuations, rising costs and an aging driver workforce - as companies concentrate more on maximizing their profit in volatile markets. “The increased focus on profitability, globalization of business, and improved systems and technology will require creative, out-of-the-box thinkers.”
Sheridan prides itself on producing graduates who can meet this need by teaching students to apply knowledge creatively. With its small class sizes and high level of faculty interaction, Sheridan proved to be an excellent alternative to university, says Doug. “The program offered practical, hands-on experience confronting real-world challenges.”