Phil Byrd: A Love for the Trucking Industry

Phil Byrd is a passionate, humble and religious man. A man with a vision to make the industry he loves a better one.

As president and CEO of Bulldog Hiway Express (a Daseke company), and immediate past chairman for the American Trucking Associations (ATA), Phil has been active in the flatbed and specialty trucking industry since he was in his early 20s. His appreciation for trucking began when he was a teenager working for his father, the late Edward Byrd, in the lumber industry. Phil was fascinated by trucks that would load up and then drive off into the sunset.

“Logistics, that’s what got my interest,” he says. “Coordinating loads, then moving products around the country. It’s exacting and precise.”

Phil Byrd, Sr. is president and CEO of Bulldog Hiway Express and the immediate past chairman of The American Trucking Associations (as of July of 2015) has joined the board of directors for Daseke Inc. – Photo courtesy of The American Trucking Associations.

In 1976, after graduating from Charleston Southern University (he was named Alumnus of the Year in 1999 and currently serves on the schools Board of Visitors), Phil went to work with his father until the business sold to Georgia Pacific, where he worked until an opening in the trucking industry became available with Santee Cement Carriers. This was where the diesel fuel of trucking got into his blood and his trucking career took off.  Through the South Carolina Trucking Association Phil met a man who shared his love and passion of trucking, R.D. Moseley.  The two of them immediately hit it off and teamed up to create what has become one of America’s most respected flatbed and specialty trucking carriers.  He started as vice president of safety and operations for Bulldog Hiway Express.

“At the time, we were relatively small with only 15 trucks, including owner-operators. But R.D., and everyone working under his leadership, had a commitment to quality service. The company’s values helped build the business on a foundation of high standards.”

In 2000, Phil became president and CEO of Bulldog and continued his work with the South Carolina Trucking Association – twice serving as its chairman. He also received South Carolina’s prestigious Motor Carrier Executive of the Year and the 2004 NTW Transportation Leader of the Year award.

Phil representing the ATA on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.

The ATA recognized his tireless effort to represent the industry and, in 2014, he was nominated as its chairman.

“It was an honor to represent our industry and represent trucking companies and their interests,” says Phil. “On numerous occasions, including the highway impacts of the Panama Canal expansion, I was privileged to represent our industry by testifying before Congress. The experience also allowed me to travel to 49 states to meet with local ATA members and understand industry concerns. It was, and still is, a very rewarding experience.”

Today, Phil is chairman of the executive committee and will become chairman of the nominating committee next (in electing the new chairman) to complete his 7-year commitment to the ATA.

While the ATA responsibilities, in addition to running Bulldog, would challenge the stamina of most, it’s invigorating to Phil.

“I get to the office at 5:30 every morning and work into the evening,” he says. “I love what I do, and I can’t tell you how excited I am to be part of the Daseke team. I’m as energized today as I was in 1982.”

Phil participating in an on-air interview with Red Eye Radio.

Through his work with ATA, Phil said he got to know Don Daseke and the CEOs of the Daseke companies and came away impressed.

“They are an elite group led by Don, who is building something profound and unique in this industry. It’s clear that he’s investing in people and companies with well-deserved reputations for quality and integrity. Why wouldn’t we want to be part of that?”

Phil says he’s also looking forward to meeting with his new sister companies and furthering best practices within the group.

“By working together, and sharing ideas, it will make each organization stronger and more successful,” he says. “There are so many benefits of becoming a member of the Daseke organization — combined we’re a driving force in the trucking industry. What we bring to our customers is outstanding service and a network that can handle any flatbed or specialty trucking needs. That’s exciting.”

Phil spending time in the Bulldog Hiway Express shop and visiting with team members.