Autor: Lydia Caddy

EMPLOYEE OF THE QUARTER: EMILY JONES

Priority1 is thrilled to shine the spotlight on Emily Jones as our Employee of the Quarter! Five years into her Priority1 journey, Emily has become an indispensable part of our technology team — bringing sharp problem-solving instincts, a collaborative spirit, and a genuine passion for helping people to everything she does.

As a Support Engineer, Emily is the steady, knowledgeable voice on the front lines of customer support for our development products. She troubleshoots complex issues over email and chat, keeps FAQs and the knowledge base current, and bridges the gap between customers, internal teams, and developers — all while drawing on deep product knowledge to deliver quick, accurate answers. Beyond resolving issues, she helps shape what Priority1 builds next by passing along feedback from customers and internal teams to guide future development.

What sets Emily apart isn’t just her technical knowledge — it’s what drives her. She’s not motivated by hitting targets or checking boxes. “What I love is digging into tricky, complicated issues with someone and then seeing that moment of relief or happiness when it finally gets solved,” she says. “That’s the part that sticks with me.” Her approach to teamwork is just as refreshing. Emily believes deeply that we’re better together, and that mindset has made her not just a strong individual contributor, but a unifying force across departments. “There’s no problem that can’t be solved if we work together,” she says — and she means it.

John Redam, Corporate Project Manager, spoke on Emily’s work ethic, “Emily has been a dependable, trusted asset to the Cabo support team for the past year and a half.  She’s become the person others naturally turn to because she’s consistently there, makes herself available, and follows through to resolution.  When she doesn’t have all the answers, she doesn’t just guess, she takes the initiative to understand, and that willingness to learn only makes her better at what she does.  What stands out most is her genuine care for balancing Priority1’s best interests with the needs of everyone she supports.  She doesn’t just solve problems, she solves them the correct way.  That consistency, dependability, and quiet sense of ownership are exactly why she was the clear choice for Employee of the Quarter.”

A graduate of the University of Central Arkansas and a proud North Little Rock native, Emily brings a grounded, thoughtful perspective to everything she does. Outside of work, you’ll find her outdoors — at music festivals, tending to her garden, or spending time with her cats and ducks. She’s a self-described book lover who is most at home with music playing in the background and a good book in her hands.

Her advice for new employees is as practical as it is powerful: “Learn as much as you can and know when to put that knowledge to use — because knowledge without application is underutilized.” And her personal mantra says it all: “Don’t let the ghost of yesterday’s insecurity haunt the potential of today.” It’s a mindset that has clearly served her well over five years of growth at Priority1.

When asked what she loves most about Priority1, her answer is immediate: the culture. “The way we welcome different viewpoints and backgrounds and weave them into this tapestry of perspectives makes working here a real joy,” she says. “This industry can be stressful, but with good people around you, anything’s possible.”

Please join us in congratulating Emily Jones on this incredibly well-deserved recognition. Five years in and still finding new ways to grow, contribute, and inspire — Priority1 is a better place because of her, and we can’t wait to see everything she does next.

 

Priority1 is thrilled to spotlight Jennifer (Jenn) Hartman as our Employee of the Quarter! Two years into her Priority1 journey, Jenn has become an indispensable part of our Learning and Development team — crafting the materials, courses, and experiences that help our people grow, thrive, and succeed.

As an Instructional Designer, Jenn’s work touches virtually every corner of Priority1. She builds how-to articles and videos for Cabo®, designs e-learning courses for leadership development and the freight industry, and facilitates in-person training for Customer Success onboarding — all creating the learning experiences that empower our team to show up confident and ready to deliver.

Crystal Daigle, Director of Learning & Development, shared: “Jenn brings tremendous versatility to the L&D team, and over the past two years she has made a meaningful impact on Priority1. I’m so grateful for her contributions to the 2026 Leadership Conference, which played an important role in the event’s success. I also appreciate the energy and care she pours into the Customer Success training program. Her work on our digital adoption platform and the new Cabo Knowledge Center has been significant — and one of the best-kept secrets at P1 (until now) is her eye for graphic design. She always makes us look good!”

When asked about her favorite projects, Jenn had a hard time choosing — because she genuinely loves what she does. A few standouts rise to the top, though. The Customer Success onboarding program holds a special place for her because it keeps her connected to new hires and gives her a front-row seat to watch them grow. The Digital Adoption Platform project pushed her into entirely new territory: she came in with limited video editing experience and, just over a year later, had built a full knowledge base of LTL articles, how-to videos, and interactive tours in Cabo® — with Truckload content already in the pipeline. And then there’s LDC2026 — a completely reimagined approach to leadership development built from scratch, tested with beta groups, constantly refined, and ultimately launched without any guarantee of how it would land. Watching it come to life was one of the most rewarding moments of her career so far, and proof that the risk was absolutely worth taking.

What drives Jenn? A genuine love for learning — and for helping others learn too. Her greatest satisfaction comes from creating materials that build people’s confidence and set them up for success. She’s also quick to credit the talented people around her, taking a team-first approach that is exactly what makes her so effective at what she does. Maegan Cochran, Benefits Manager and close friend, put it well: “One of the things I admire most about Jenn is her ability to bring light to any situation and turn it into something positive. She’s one of the first people to offer help or a listening ear, always showing up with genuine care and support.”

Outside of Priority1, Jenn is most likely on her deck with her family and dogs, enjoying board games, an inflatable pool, or whatever 7-year-old-approved activity is on the schedule. She’s currently enrolled in a ceramics class — purely for fun and the joy of trying something new. She’ll be the first to admit pottery isn’t her calling, but she loves that it gives her a reason to connect with friends every week. When she’s not creating with her hands, she’s listening to audiobooks to multitask her way through housework and walks like the efficiency expert she is.

Her advice for new employees is as practical as it is reassuring: “Some days will be overwhelming. Focus on the next step, ask for help when you need it, and keep going.”

Please join us in congratulating Jenn Hartman on this well-deserved recognition. The work she does behind the scenes makes everyone at Priority1 better, and we are so grateful to have her on our team. We can’t wait to see everything she builds next.

Most freight agent programs sound the same.

Good splits. Solid tech. Strong carrier network.

But once you’re in it, that’s not what determines whether you grow or get stuck.

The real difference comes down to one thing:

Does your brokerage actually support you—or just give you access?

Where Most Programs Fall Short

A lot of agents don’t realize what matters until they’ve already made a move.

• Back office is slow or hard to reach
• Tech feels outdated or clunky
• Carrier access limits your pricing
• Ownership changes and everything shifts

None of that shows up in a recruiting pitch—but it shows up in your day-to-day.

How Priority1 Is Different

At Priority1, the model is built around helping agents grow—not just plug into a system.

Tech that actually works

Cabo® lets you quote, book, track, and manage everything in one place—without bouncing between tools.

Carrier access that moves the needle

With 47,000+ carriers and strong LTL relationships, you’re not losing deals because of pricing or coverage.

Real back-office support

You’re working with actual people—billing, claims, finance—who know your business and respond quickly.

Stability you can count on

Privately held. Debt-free. No outside investors.
No surprises, no restructuring, no guesswork about the future.

Who This Is For

This isn’t for someone just getting started.

It’s for agents who:

• Have experience
• Have a book of business
• Want to grow without fighting their brokerage

Bottom Line

Most programs give you access.

Priority1 is built to help you actually scale.

Want to Learn More?

Check out priority1.com/agents or reach out.
No pressure—just a conversation to see if it’s the right fit.

 

When you’re looking for a freight agent program, commission splits and technology features get all the attention. And they matter. But there’s a bigger question most agents don’t think to ask until it’s too late: Who actually owns the company you’re building your business with, and what are they optimizing for?

At Priority1, the answer is simple. We’re privately held. We’re debt free. We don’t have shareholders demanding quarterly returns or private equity firms looking for their exit. Every decision we make is based on what’s best for our people and our partners—because those are the only people we answer to.

That might not sound flashy. But if you’ve ever been with a brokerage that got acquired, restructured, or squeezed by investors, you know exactly why it matters.

No Shareholders. No PE Firms. No Hidden Agendas.

The logistics industry has seen a wave of mergers, acquisitions, and private equity buyouts over the past several years. What usually follows is predictable: leadership changes, cost-cutting, agent programs getting restructured, support teams getting downsized, and the people who built the business getting treated like line items on a spreadsheet.

Priority1 doesn’t operate that way. As a privately held, debt-free company, we have the freedom to invest in what actually matters—our technology, our people, and our agent partnerships—without pressure from outside investors looking for short-term returns. When we make a decision about how to support our agents, it’s because it’s the right thing to do for the long term. Not because a board told us to.

That stability isn’t just a talking point. It’s the foundation your business is built on. When you partner with Priority1, you’re not wondering whether the company will look the same in two years. We’ve been building this since 1995, and we’re not going anywhere.

We Actually Take Care of Our People

Every company says they value their people. Priority1 actually shows it. We invest heavily in the teams, technology, and infrastructure that support our agents and their customers—because when the people around you are set up to succeed, you succeed too.

That commitment extends to everyone in the Priority1 ecosystem—our agents, our internal teams, our carrier partners, and our customers. We don’t cut corners on support to protect a margin for investors. We reinvest in the people and tools that drive this business forward, because that’s what a privately held company with a long-term mindset actually does.

The result? People stay. Your support team knows your account. Your technology keeps getting better. And your partnership with Priority1 gets stronger every year—not weaker.

A True One-Stop Shop for Your Customers

Priority1 is a full-scale 3PL covering every mode of transportation outside of small pack. LTL, full truckload, expedited, air freight, international, drayage, flatbed, temperature-controlled, hazmat, high-value—we handle it all. That means your customers get one point of contact for everything, and you don’t lose business because your brokerage can’t support a mode they need.

With partnerships across thousands of national and regional carriers—including over 47,000 full-truckload carriers—you’ll have the capacity access and pricing power to compete in any lane. Our diverse LTL portfolio includes national, regional, and micro-regional partners who are service leaders in their geographic footprints.

Technology Built for Agents, by People Who Get It

Cabo® is Priority1’s proprietary transportation management system, built in-house from the ground up. It’s not a repackaged third-party platform. Cabo® gives you multimodal quoting, dispatch, and real-time tracking in a single, mobile-friendly dashboard. It includes freight bill auditing, dispute workflow, and customizable reporting—all cloud-hosted so you can work from anywhere.

Both you and your customers can access Cabo® from any device. That kind of visibility builds trust with your shippers and makes your life easier on a daily basis.

Back-Office Support That Actually Supports You

Our back office is fully staffed and handles billing, collections, disputes, claims, and more so you can focus on what generates revenue—finding customers and moving freight. Every agent gets assigned, dedicated support:

• Agent Development contact
• Financial Analyst
• Key Account Reps
• Billing and collections team
• Claims team
• Strategic management access

When you onboard, a dedicated specialist helps train and transition your business from day one—with no upfront costs. We also provide ongoing sales training for your reps because your growth is our growth.

Uncapped Commissions. No Restrictions. No Games.

Priority1 offers competitive, uncapped commissions paid twice a month. No territory restrictions—if you can win the business, it’s yours. We don’t cap your earning potential, and we don’t limit where you can sell. We want you to grow as big as your ambition allows.

What Our Agents Say

The best measure of any agent program is what the agents themselves say. Here’s what Priority1 agents consistently tell us:

“Priority 1 has been the best platform for my business that I have experienced. I have nearly 10x’d since starting with them. They have dedicated back-office support, state-of-the-art software, and some of the most competitive rates. They are a company that not only values my business but acts as a TRUE partner.”

“We started with Priority1 about ten years ago. We have seen Priority1 apply so many resources towards development, training, and creating a multi-functional platform through the years.”

That kind of loyalty doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when a company keeps its promises year after year.

The Bottom Line

There are a lot of freight agent programs out there. Some offer big commissions. Some offer great technology. Very few offer what Priority1 does: a privately held, debt-free company with no outside investors, a genuine commitment to its people, best-in-class technology, full multimodal capability, and a track record that goes back three decades.

We’re not building this for a quarterly earnings call. We’re building it for the agents and employees who make Priority1 what it is. If that sounds like the kind of partnership you’ve been looking for, we’d love to talk.

 

Ready to learn more?

Visit priority1.com/agents or contact us to start the conversation.

Priority1 is thrilled to shine the spotlight on Jaycee Welch as our Employee of the Quarter! A year and a half into her Priority1 journey, Jaycee has become the heartbeat of our front desk and a shining example of what it means to show up with creativity, kindness, and a whole lot of heart.

As our Receptionist, Jaycee is often the first face people see and the first voice they hear — and she makes that first impression count. Her responsibilities span far beyond answering phones, from managing mail and office supplies to creating stunning graphics, supporting training materials, and assisting with career fair efforts. Her manager, Hailey Vershum, says it best: “Jaycee is someone I can always rely on. She’s taken ownership of her role and really made it her own. The consistency and professionalism she brings every day make a real difference, and this recognition is very well deserved.”

One of Jaycee’s most beloved contributions to Priority1 culture is the personalized birthday cards she has designed and handed out to every employee since May 2025 — over 200 cards and counting. She also brought her Cricut machine to Priority1’s End of Year Event, designing personalized names for each check presented on stage. Polished, thoughtful, and so very Jaycee.

Originally from Junction City, Arkansas, Jaycee is currently studying Elementary Education at Southern Arkansas University while maintaining a 4.0 GPA for three consecutive semesters — all while working two jobs and planning her dream wedding. Outside of work, she enjoys crafting, painting, spending time with her fiancé and their two fur babies Fin and Joe, and catching up on The Real Housewives. Her biggest admirer and inspiration? Her mom, whose example has shaped everything Jaycee is today.

Looking ahead, Jaycee plans to become a high school history teacher and coach cheerleading — with state and national championships in her sights. Her advice for new employees is simple: “Work hard, be yourself, and never forget we’re all on the same team.” And her personal mantra says it all: “Always be yourself, work hard, and lead with kindness.”

Please join us in congratulating Jaycee on this incredibly well-deserved recognition. Priority1 is a better place because of her, and we can’t wait to see everything she accomplishes next.

Going independent doesn’t mean going alone—and the brokerage you partner with will determine whether you build a thriving business or spend your time fighting bad technology, slow back-office support, and carrier access problems.

Priority1 launched its freight agent program in 2008. Since then, we’ve helped hundreds of agents build and scale their logistics businesses. Some have doubled or tripled their revenue. Others have grown well beyond that. All of them will tell you the same thing: the program works because Priority1 was built to be a true partner, not just a platform.

Here’s what sets Priority1 apart from other freight agent programs—and why agents who join tend to stay.

Technology That Works as Hard as You Do

If you’ve been in this industry long enough, you’ve used a TMS that felt like it was built in 2005. Priority1’s Cabo® TMS was launched in 2020 and is continuously updated. It’s a web-based, mobile-friendly platform where you can quote LTL, truckload, and expedited shipments side by side, book loads, track in real time via API-integrated carrier connections, audit freight bills, manage disputes, and pull customized reports—all from one login. For agents who have worked with clunky legacy systems or had to piece together multiple tools, Cabo® is a game-changer. As agent owner Mike L. puts it after ten years with Priority1: “Combining our carrier network alongside the new Cabo® transportation management system, we are at the top of the food chain.”

A Carrier Network That Gives You an Edge

Your customers don’t care which brokerage your authority sits under. They care about rates and service. Priority1 has relationships with over 47,000 full-truckload carriers and a diverse LTL portfolio of national, regional, and micro-regional partners. With over 1.5 million shipments per year, our volume gives agents top tier pricing that smaller programs and independent brokerages can’t touch. Whether your book is heavy on LTL, truckload, or expedited, Priority1 supports every mode outside of small pack. You don’t need to split your business across multiple brokerages or turn customers away because your partner doesn’t handle a specific mode.

Back-Office Support That Actually Supports You

There’s a reason the most common frustration agents cite when switching programs is back-office support. When a customer has a billing question or a claim to file, they don’t call your brokerage’s general inbox—they call you. And when you can’t get a fast answer from your back office, it’s your reputation on the line. Priority1 provides every agent with dedicated support across the entire organization: Agent Development, a financial analyst, key account reps, billing and collections, a claims team, and access to strategic management. This isn’t a ticketing system. These are real people who know your name, your customers, and your business.

Financial Stability in an Unstable Market

The freight market cycles. Rates compress. Volumes dip. And when that happens, brokerages that are overleveraged, PE-backed, or carrying debt start cutting—support staff, agent programs, technology investment. Priority1 is privately owned, debt-free, backed by sister company Priority Wire & Cable, and has never taken outside investment. We have never had a round of layoffs. Our agents don’t wonder whether their brokerage will be around in two years or whether their back office will be gutted during the next downturn. That kind of stability isn’t common in this industry, and agents who’ve lived through a market cycle know exactly how much it’s worth.

What It Takes to Get Started

Priority1’s agent program is built for experienced logistics professionals who are ready to grow. Here’s what we look for:

• Two years of freight sales experience (minimum)
• A portable book of business
• An entrepreneurial mindset and drive to grow

There are no upfront costs. Commissions are uncapped and paid twice a month. Our onboarding specialist will handle the transition of your business—training, system setup, carrier introductions—so you can start earning from day one. As agent owner Patrick says: “Priority 1 was an excellent decision for me when I was looking for a brokerage to partner with. I was looking for a company that aligned with my desire to provide top-notch service to my customers. The brokerage needed cutting-edge software for booking, quoting, and tracing loads. They also needed excellent rates with high-quality carriers. With Priority1, I was able to find all those qualities.”

Ready to explore what Priority1’s freight agent program can do for your business? Visit priority1.com/agents or contact us directly. No pressure, no obligation—just a conversation about whether we’re the right fit.

Priority1 is thrilled to shine the spotlight on Lydia Ussery as our Employee of the Quarter! With nearly two years into her Priority1 journey, Lydia has set the standard for excellence, relationship-building, and unwavering dedication as a Customer Success Manager.

In her role, Lydia builds and maintains relationships with customers, oversees account processes and details, and runs quarterly and 30-day meetings. Her commitment to her customers and her team has not gone unnoticed. As Zach Miller, Director of Customer Success, says:

“Lydia is driven to excel not only in performance but also in building meaningful relationships. She consistently looks for ways to help her customers succeed and embodies the mindset of running to the problem while finding the positives in every situation. Lydia elevates everyone around her, setting the standard for excellence within the Customer Success team.”

Lydia is especially proud of having the opportunity to speak to a supply chain class at UCA about Priority1 and her position—a testament to her passion for the company and her role. She holds herself to an extremely high standard, driven by a burning desire to be successful and make the most of every single day. “I not only want to make myself proud, but I want to respect my leadership and to work hard so that they are proud of me as well,” Lydia shares. She credits her success to listening to the direction given by Zach Miller and Andy Conger and applying everything they’ve taught her, while also putting tremendous effort into staying on top of her customers’ needs and building trust with them.

Hailing from Morrilton, Arkansas, and now living in Conway, Lydia is a proud graduate of the University of Arkansas (online). When she’s not excelling at Priority1, you’ll find her traveling and playing guitar with her boyfriend or cozied up on the couch snuggling with her cat, Stormi, and reading a good book. While she’s not a huge TV watcher, she does love binge-watching her favorite content creators on YouTube. And if she could have dinner with anyone? Dolly Parton, hands down.

Lydia’s biggest source of inspiration is her parents, whom she describes as the most hardworking people she’s ever met—people who always prioritized family and gave her not only the best life possible but also the best examples to follow. Their advice resonates deeply with her: “Love God, be a good friend, work hard, and all else will then fall into place.”

Looking ahead, Lydia’s short-term goal is to remain the #1 Customer Success rep in GP and revenue by the end of 2025. Long-term, her overall career aspiration is to have a job she looks forward to every day where she can help people, which she feels she’s already found at Priority1. Her advice for new employees? “Work extremely hard to learn as much as you can as fast as you can. The sooner you feel confident, the sooner you will thrive.”

What does Lydia love most about Priority1? “The environment! I get to spend 40+ hours a week with my friends 😊.” Her personal mantra says it all: “If you weren’t ready, you wouldn’t have the opportunity.”

Please join us in congratulating Lydia Ussery on her outstanding achievements! We’re excited to watch her continued growth and look forward to celebrating more remarkable team members in the quarters ahead.

Priority1 is thrilled to shine the spotlight on Caitlin “Cait” Marlow as our Employee of the Quarter! Nearly four years into her Priority1 journey, Cait, affectionately known as “Sprinter Van,” continues to set the standard for excellence, teamwork, and positivity. 

Cait serves as LTL Support for Inside Sales, playing a key role in ensuring our Inside Sales team delivers exceptional service to customers. Her diverse experience as a KAR, collector, and in two different LTL support roles is a testament to her versatility. As Forrest Goss, Director of LTL Support, says: 

“Caitlin has been nothing short of a rock star for the LTL Support Team. Her resume is hard to beat: as a KAR, collector, and two different roles in LTL Support, she has supported operations for the Agent network, Outside Sales, and most recently our Inside Sales unit. How many other folks at the company can say that? 

Caitlin is everything we expect from a Priority1 employee: positive, prompt, diligent, and doesn’t stop chasing something until it’s finished. While she’s now on Inside Sales support, she’s still in touch weekly with Outside reps, who reach out to ask for advice, knowledge, or just to check in on her, thanks to the strong relationships she’s built. I couldn’t be more proud, and I’m excited to see her continue to grow here.” 

Cait is especially proud of helping launch this new Inside Sales support team with Forrest and extending her support beyond Outside Sales, bringing the same energy and commitment to every role. She credits the drive and camaraderie of her department as a daily motivation, stating, “The department itself drives each other. We have a great group of people I love working with.” Additionally, her son is her biggest source of inspiration, fueling her dedication and ambition. 

Hailing from Bryant and a proud graduate of UALR, Cait loves concerts and a good book when she’s not excelling at Priority1. TV favorites like The Office and Brooklyn 99 are her go-to for relaxation, and she’d be delighted to have dinner with Michael Scott! 

Cait’s career aspiration is clear: continue growing this dynamic team and one day become a supervisor. Her advice for new employees? “Ask the question. Freight changes every day, and even our higher ups ask questions.” She values an open, inquisitive workplace, emphasizing, “Try a different perspective” as her personal mantra. 

Above all, Cait cherishes the support and community at Priority1: “The employees and the support you get here” make all the difference. 

Please join us in congratulating Cait Marlow on her outstanding achievements! We’re excited to watch her ongoing journey and look forward to celebrating more remarkable team members in the quarters ahead.