In shops, terminals, offices, and back lots across Alabama, a quiet shift is taking place. New voices are stepping into conversations once dominated by veterans who built their livelihoods in Alabama’s trucking industry. You see it in the way problems are solved, in how teams communicate, and in the fresh confidence that comes when someone realizes they’ve earned a seat at the table.
Our Next In Line honorees are part of that shift. They’re early- and mid-career professionals who didn’t wait to be invited into leadership — they simply began acting like leaders. Their decisions shape workdays, influence culture, and set standards their coworkers rely on. Some manage people; others manage freight, information or relationships. All of them have already changed something within their companies, even if the change seems small from the outside.
What connects them isn’t a single background or career path, but a shared seriousness about the work and a willingness to learn, to observe, to take responsibility, and to keep showing up with intention. In an industry built on experience and credibility, these honorees are earning both, one long day at a time.
They are the people colleagues call when something needs to be figured out. They are the names that come up in meetings when someone asks, “Who’s ready for more?”
And they are the ones building the next era of leadership in Alabama Trucking — not through slogans or speeches, but through consistent, deliberate work and innovation.
Meet Risk Accountability Specialist Scott Hackleman of PS Logistics in Birmingham, ALA
Scott Hackleman never planned a career in trucking. A job-board posting in 2013 led him into the PS Logistics safety department — and ultimately into a leadership role helping protect thousands of drivers while supporting one of the nation’s largest fleets. His connection to the industry wasn’t entirely new; his father, Dan, spent years working in the HR department at McGriff Transportation in Cullman, giving Hackleman early exposure to trucking and the people who keep it moving.
As he settled into his role, Hackleman quickly established himself as a resourceful and dependable leader, with managers steadily adding responsibilities to his plate. One of his earliest challenges was helping integrate electronic logging devices across the entire fleet — an effort that required coordination, consistency and trust. His steady rise through the ranks was no accident; it reflected a commitment to safety, compliance and continuous improvement. As PS Logistics grew, Hackleman embraced expanding responsibilities, solidifying his position as a key contributor to the company’s success.
“At PS Logistics, we hold ourselves to a high standard, and we expect our people to do the same. We want our team to take ownership of their responsibilities.”
Today, Hackleman is responsible for preventing workplace injuries and ensuring operations comply with OSHA, EPA, DOT, and other federal and state regulations — no small feat for one of the country’s largest fleets, which operates with approximately 5,000 company drivers and independent contractors.
His work and leadership have earned him numerous company awards and industry recognition. In 2020, ATA’s Safety Council named Hackleman Safety Professional of the Year Runner-Up, an honor he considers among his most meaningful professional achievements. PS Logistics leaders describe him as a valued asset, citing his steady guidance through several major milestones and acquisitions that have shaped the company’s growth over the past decade.
He has also remained active within the safety community through his involvement with the SMMC, serving on various committees and boards, including as Chairman of the Birmingham Chapter.
“I’m always trying to learn and improve, and I want to lead by example,” Hackleman says. “At PS Logistics, we hold ourselves to a high standard, and we expect our people to do the same. We want our team to take ownership of their responsibilities.”
What began as an unexpected entry into trucking has become a career defined by trust, responsibility, and impact — one that continues to shape the safety culture at PS Logistics and across Alabama’s trucking community.
Read more features on the Alabama trucking industry’s “Next in Line” in the latest Alabama Trucker. This issue also features background on Clinton Seymour, Alabama Trucking’s new Director of Safety Intelligence and Regulatory Affairs along with updated on the SMMC Fleet Safety Award winners and much more.
