Karen Vanderhoof
Karen Vanderhoof is a fourth-generation transportation professional with over 11 years of experience in the trucking and logistics industry. Raised in a family deeply rooted in transportation, she developed an early appreciation for the field while riding along with her father on milk runs and learning the realities of life on the road. After several years in restaurant and fine dining management, she transitioned into logistics, pursuing formal training at MIAT College of Technology, where she earned certifications in Global Logistics and Dispatch, as well as CLA, CLT, and HAZMAT credentials. Currently serving as a fleet manager.
Throughout her career, Karen has held a wide range of roles including dispatcher, freight broker, fleet manager, and owner-operator alongside her husband for nearly four years. This diverse, hands-on experience has given her a comprehensive understanding of the industry from multiple perspectives. She began her logistics career prior to the implementation of electronic logging devices, giving her firsthand insight into the industry’s evolution over the past decade.
Currently serving as a fleet manager overseeing 12 trucks and 12 trailers, Karen played a key role in building a startup carrier operation from the ground up, helping generate over $250,000 in revenue on a newly established MC and DOT authority. She specializes in recruiting, fleet management, and compliance, with a strong emphasis on restoring a personal, relationship-driven approach in an increasingly automated industry. She takes pride in selecting skilled drivers and contributing to essential freight movement, from delivering critical medical supplies to supporting communities in need.
• CLA (Certified Logistics Associate)
• CLT (Certified Logistics Technician)
• HAZMAT Certified
• MIAT Global Logistics and Dispatch Certificate
• MIAT College of Technology - Global Logistics and Dispatch Certificate Program
• Local Veterans Nonprofits
• Veteran Motorcycle Rides
• Veterans Fundraising Rides
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to hard work and determination. As cheesy as that sounds, it's true. You put blood, sweat, and tears into a business you're so passionate about, and you don't feel like it's work if you love it. That passion and dedication is what has driven me to build something meaningful in this industry.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received came from one of my great bosses over the years, and the one thing that really stands out is to be clear about your expectations. I've had a lot of great bosses, but that piece of advice about setting and communicating clear expectations has really stuck with me throughout my career.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't let the fact that it's a male-dominated industry hold you back. When I started, it was very unheard of to have women in the transportation and logistics industry, but don't feel like just because it's a male-dominated industry that you can't make a big impact and blaze your own trail as well. You absolutely can make a difference and create your own path in this field.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge in the transportation industry right now is definitely the amount of fraudulent activity that's going on. It's all over the news, you can't really deny it. It has been very, very challenging to be one of the good guys when there are so many bad guys around. 60 Minutes or 90 Minutes just did a piece on it. I pride myself in knowing that I help build a company that does right by its drivers, that does the right thing, that is compliant to all standards, and we're one of the small guys. There is a lot of fraud going on within the transportation and logistics industry, and I think that is the biggest, biggest challenge of everything right now, besides lack of driver parking.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are integrity, honesty, trustworthiness, and transparency. There's a lot of smoke and mirrors in this industry that shouldn't be there, so I believe in being straightforward and honest in everything I do. These values guide both my professional work and my personal life.
Locations
Private Company
Rockwood, MI 48173