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Don Staniszewski, President of Summit Delivery Services, is a remarkable figure in the logistics field, not only for his profound expertise and leadership but also for his visionary contributions to a growing future. His journey exemplifies dedication, continuous learning, and a people-centric approach. An interactive leader, Don believes in creative autonomy for his team and nurtures a culture of collaboration and innovation.
The Beginning of an Inspirational Journey
Don’s career in logistics began shortly after graduating from Illinois State University, when he joined Leaseway Transportation. There, he gained hands-on experience across multiple supply chain management functions while simultaneously earning his MBA from the Illinois Institute of Technology. Guided by strong mentors, he learned the value of integrity, doing things right without shortcuts, and the importance of investing in people.
He worked his way up the ranks to become President of American Delivery Service and later joined Menlo Logistics, where he gained valuable experience working with complex logistics systems. In the early 2000s, he became a significant owner of Pillar Logistics, a nationwide provider of last-mile delivery services to major retailers. Recognizing the need for greater industry collaboration, Don also founded the National Home Delivery Association (NHDA), where he continues to serve as Chairman. Through NHDA, he brings together leading last-mile delivery providers across the U.S., shaping the future of home delivery logistics.
A Passionate Leader in Last-Mile Delivery
Don has always been a driven learner and dedicated worker, immersing himself in industry publications, webinars, and logistics news to stay ahead of the curve. His thirst for knowledge began in his 20s, but he truly found his professional stride in his mid-30s to 40s. It was during this time that his passion for the last-mile delivery industry deepened, an industry he admires for its management-intensive and labor-intensive nature. He makes an impact through interaction with people throughout the entire workforce, from the C-suite to the ground floor staff and delivery associates.
Summit Delivery Services: A Quick Glance
Don and his team recently rebranded Pillar Logistics as “Summit Delivery Services,” which is committed to reaching the pinnacle of excellence in final-mile delivery. The company’s mission is to overcome challenges and deliver unparalleled service in the bulky goods final mile space. They strive to elevate the delivery experience and provide clients and their customers with reliable, timely, and innovative solutions that set new standards in the transportation industry.
There is a daily, weekly, and monthly collaborative effort by the whole team to consistently review and evaluate their strategic positions for improvements and modifications. It is currently one of the largest providers of final-mile delivery services to numerous clients in the United States. Many of their clients use it as a “sounding board” to discuss their services, develop the industry, and to experiment with new and unique approaches to the business. Summit Delivery’s collaborative effort and commitment to excellence have earned it a reputation for exceptional customer service.
A Significant Part of Don’s Notable Legacy
Don is the founder, past president, and current chairman of the National Home Delivery Association, a non-profit trade association. The NHDA was born out of a 2013 meeting that Don organized, bringing together 11 “friendly competitors” and numerous industry subject matter experts. What began as a candid roundtable to tackle shared challenges has since grown into the definitive voice of the last-mile industry. This major non-profit trade association is currently the “go-to” industry thought leader in the last-mile delivery industry. The association comprises major last-mile delivery companies and subject matter experts in the United States.
Role Models and the Inspiration
Don’s role models are endurance athletes who embody the positive attributes of deliberative work and determination, and also many similarities to his favorite actor Jimmy Stewart’s movie characters (particularly “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” and “It’s a Wonderful Life). He is known for his hard work and intense learning, constantly reading publications, attending webinars, and staying updated on industry news. Don’s career progressions taught him to “put yourself out there” and not be paralyzed by fear of failure.
Leadership Philosophy and Vision
Throughout his journey, Don’s leadership values have remained centered on collaborative management of people. His passion for last-mile delivery grew from experience in various logistics sectors. Early mentors significantly influenced his leadership style, teaching him the value of people and constant improvement, lessons that continue to shape his approach at Summit Delivery Services.
Don emphasizes the importance of maintaining a clear vision and sticking to well-thought-out plans and objectives. In the fast-paced world of last-mile delivery logistics, he stresses the need to see the forest for the trees and prioritize goals.
People-First Culture in a Dispersed Organization
Don fosters a people-centric culture across Summit Delivery Services’ geographically dispersed organization through an interactive and people-first leadership style and open communication. Online collaborative meetings have become the norm, enabling continual communication and teamwork.
To maintain team morale and ensure consistent performance in the high-pressure logistics industry, Summit Delivery prioritizes team meetings and collaboration, and a non-authoritarian structure. This approach encourages participation, creativity, and collective problem-solving.
Empowering Teams and Leveraging Technology
Summit Delivery balances creative autonomy with operations discipline by encouraging innovation and calculated risk. The company empowers its teams to “put themselves out there” and occasionally fail as part of the process for improvement! Through industry involvement, such as the National Home Delivery Association, Summit Delivery Services leverages technology to improve route optimization, delivery tracking, and customer communication, staying on the “cutting edge” of innovation.
Key Challenges and Opportunities: In the Future
Don believes the last-mile delivery industry will face significant challenges and opportunities in the next five years as the industry continues to develop. Summit Delivery Services recognizes that meeting the evolving demands of the new consumer will be crucial. With rising e-commerce expectations, driven in part by the pandemic, customers now expect quicker and more responsive delivery services.
The demand for white-glove delivery has increased, with consumers seeking premium services that offer enhanced care and attention for their purchases. Summit Delivery is well-positioned to capitalize on this trend. By investing in technology, optimizing operations, and focusing on customer satisfaction, Summit Delivery aims to stay ahead of the competition and meet the changing needs of consumers. The company’s ability to adapt to these shifts will be key to its success in the evolving “last mile” delivery landscape.
The Future Outlook
Summit Delivery envisions a future where artificial intelligence (“A.I.”), autonomous delivery vehicles, drones, and robotics play a significant role in last-mile logistics. These technologies will enable quicker response times, increased efficiency, and better adaptation of the workforce. By leveraging autonomous solutions, the company aims to enhance its delivery capabilities, reduce costs, and enhance customer satisfaction. Don and his management team are working on further developing their “Strategic Plan” to improve their services and marketing of the newly formed Summit Delivery Services. Their goal is to remain at the pinnacle of successful delivery companies!
Looking ahead, Summit Delivery will continue to emphasize quality and service over just providing quick, low-cost deliveries. The risk of liability, claims, and customer satisfaction always rises to the top, and the poor service providers go to the wayside. Summit Delivery has remained in business since 1987 and plans to continue as one of the main players that have survived where many others have failed.
Leadership Advice
As stated earlier, Don advises others to “put yourself out there” and not be paralyzed by “fear of failure,” as experiencing failure is essential to success. People too often give up without trying to attempt something. He emphasizes the importance of conquering fear by acknowledging and working through it, which motivated him to write “Leap Beyond Your Limits: Conquering Fear to Triumph in Life and Leadership.” This book describes Don’s journey to rise above fear and not be held back by it, but it is also a practical guide for anyone to accomplish their dreams in personal and professional situations. “Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go!” (excerpt quote from T.S. Eliot and the book “Leap Beyond Your Limits”).
