In this month’s Team Member Spotlight, we get to hear from Morgan Brantner! She’s a customer operations manager – a first for our spotlight interviews – and she’s passionate about our family-like culture and the power of proactive communication. She also has the unique distinction of being a graduate of Velocity’s first-ever hiring class from back in January of 2018, so we can’t wait to share her perspective.
In the interview, we discuss topics ranging from Velocity’s growth, how communication creates success with customers, and how important a family-like atmosphere is to fostering healthy company culture.
How long have you been with Velocity Transport and what is your role?
I was actually in the first hiring class at Velocity, so I’ve seen so much growth! No matter how big we’ve gotten, it still feels like a family.
My current position is Customer Operations Manager, which is somewhat unique. I get to lead a small team focused on a group of strategic accounts, and I love it!
What do you love most about working with customers?
I love feeling like I can improve someone’s operations and make their day better in that way. Providing them peace of mind also frees them up to be more productive. At the end of the day, whether it’s my team or our customers, I want to make people’s jobs easier. I want to make them laugh, feel comfortable, and build positive relationships.
How have you adjusted to remote work? What are the advantages and challenges?
It’s been an adjustment, but I’ve enjoyed it! I have a kiddo at home with me, so that extra time has been awesome.
The obvious challenge is making sure I let myself unplug and unwind. I’m a productive person, so it’s really easy to just not stop working and not pull away, so I have to be conscious of my mental health and my rest needs.
How do you maintain a healthy work/life balance while working from home?
A lot of that comes down to my team. They’re strong and reliable, so I can trust them. If I need to step away briefly or address something that’s come up at home, they’ll be there for me.
At the end of the day, you have to realize that some things can be addressed tomorrow and, when it’s appropriate, you have to prioritize your own mental health. The Velocity leadership team actively encourages it!
One of your customers, MFS Supply, described you as the ‘quarterback’ of their logistics strategy. What does that mean to you?
With MFS and other customers, the biggest thing that makes someone a quarterback is proactive communication and a positive, encouraging communication style. It’s one thing to communicate, but another to communicate proactively. It’s a mantra we preach to the entire team.
It’s what I’ve found makes the biggest difference in how a load goes, how a relationship develops, and much more – that proactive communication. Honestly, it’s something that Velocity does better than anyone else.
What do you enjoy most about working for Velocity?
I love that we’re a family. This is truly a work family. The culture we’ve built has been purposeful, and because of that, it feels like home. It’s such a supportive environment. You have great council and great mentorship.
How would you pitch Velocity to someone considering joining the team?
It all starts with the culture and the opportunities for growth, both personally and professionally. As we’ve expanded, more opportunities have come up for people with really diverse strengths. I enjoy all of my time here, the people here, and the customers. I mean that sincerely!
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I enjoy spending time with my family, especially outdoors and traveling. We love going on a wide variety of trips, under normal circumstances of course, to places in New England, to Austin, and to beaches. When we’re at home, we love cooking together and playing board games too!
