The TA Difference: Lessons from TA Leadership — Scott Schell, CEO

TA Services recently reached a huge milestone – our 35th Anniversary! We are celebrating by highlighting some key achievements on our journey throughout the years. Throughout Q4 of 2021 we will be sharing stories with topics ranging from customer appreciation stories to the evolution of our transportation modes and technology to fun facts about our people. In this part of our series, we caught up with several of our leaders to see what they think about the 35th Anniversary milestone.

First stop: TA Services’ President and CEO, Scott Schell.

Q: Scott, I loved reading your letter Celebrating 35 Years: A Letter of Gratitude and Appreciation. Something really resonated with me in that letter. The original name of the company was ‘Team America.’ I would love to know why it was named Team America.

A: It’s funny you ask that. Team America was the foundation of the company until we had to change our name. And I think those two words have some very unique meanings. Team suggests unity and working together through good times and bad. And when I think America, I think of the coverage we have and the great place we call home. I think sometimes we take for granted how great this country is. Taking both words and putting them together makes so much sense. It’s a powerful combination.

Q: The TA Services’ culture sounds very unique. In all the interviews we have done recently we continuously hear about how much the employees appreciate the culture. I’d love to hear what that culture means to you. How would you define it?

A: I think the first thing I would say is we want to always build and create entrepreneurial spirit whether that’s someone out in a steel mill trying to figure out how to solve a problem, or whether that’s someone in a cartage carriage or brokerage making quick decisions in the heat of the moment. We want to create an environment where the fun is really defined around work hard, play hard. I’m kind of like a kid at heart and I love to celebrate big and have a good time, but the work is what’s going to win the day. That’s how I describe the culture. We also pride ourselves on having an open-door environment and we really work hard to get people’s input. We like to communicate what’s going on in the business and celebrate new hires, birthdays, special accomplishments and more. I want people to know we’re proud of them.

Q: 35 years in the logistics industry is no small feat. What do you believe has led TA Services to its success over the last several decades?

A: I would say that you’ve got to start with being true to yourself. Our businesses run on three major components: people, process, and technology. We have to be transparent to the customer and show them what our values are and how we can help solve their problems. I think a lot of times our competitors try to get a quick win, and a lot of times that happens before they even try to understand their customers’ problems. Being the son of a schoolteacher, I learned a long time ago that problem solving is crucial if you want to make a difference. I believe our people really take the time to listen to our customers and learn what their problems are, then they create solutions to solve those problems. That’s what we’re here to do – solve problems.