Leadership from the Front Lines: Alex Fritz on Building Tomorrow’s Freight Leaders
Alex Fritz, CFO at NT Logistics, shares his perspective on leadership, financial acumen, and why the Freight Leadership Lab from TIA is essential for the next generation of industry professionals.
Leading by Example, Not from Behind a Desk
When Alex Fritz talks about leadership, he doesn’t speak in corporate buzzwords or theoretical frameworks. Instead, he describes rolling up his sleeves to scrub toilets when needed, walking over to operations to suggest trailer investments after spotting inefficiencies in invoices, and helping employees navigate personal crises like hail damage to their homes.
“I would never ask anybody to do something I wouldn’t do myself,” says Fritz. “If things go wrong or somebody just needs a helping hand, I’m not afraid to do whatever the lowest menial task is.”
This philosophy of leading from the front, rather than delegating from above, forms the foundation of Fritz’s approach to developing talent within the freight industry. It’s also what he brings to his upcoming session in the Freight Leadership Lab: “How Brokers Make Money.”
Beyond the Spread: Understanding What Really Drives Profitability
While many in the industry focus on the obvious answer to how brokers make money, Fritz believes true leadership requires understanding the deeper financial mechanics.
“A lot of people look at that and say, ‘Oh cool, I made $200 on a load, I did ten of those today, so I made $2,000,'” Fritz says. “In gross margin you did that, but have you considered what it cost from an overhead standpoint? What does it cost to have all these computers and technology?”
This holistic view of business operations is what Fritz hopes to instill in emerging leaders. His session will cover everything from understanding true profitability per customer to navigating difficult conversations about rate increases when relationships become unprofitable.
The Power of Cross-Functional Thinking
One of Fritz’s core beliefs is that the best leaders look beyond their immediate responsibilities. At NT Logistics, they actively encourage everyone, not just leadership, to look beyond their own boundaries. That pushing from a comfort zone is the first step to great leadership, and a great company.
“We really encourage everybody to look beyond their roles: what are you seeing that can make our organization better?” Fritz says. “That kind of mindset really comes from the top down, where you have your responsibility, your role. However, the way we continue to move forward is for all of us to get creative and think outside your little bubble.”
This approach has led to innovations like Fritz suggesting power-only moves after noticing expensive trailer drop fees in invoices. Despite that suggestion coming from the CFO, it had a direct impact on operations. That cross-functional understanding is vital in the fast-paced world of freight brokerage, and one Fritz fosters.
Identifying Tomorrow’s Leaders Today
When asked how he spots potential leaders, Fritz points to hunger and curiosity as key indicators. “Instead of ‘Cool, I did the thing I needed to do today,’ it’s ‘Hey Alex, what else is there? What can I help you with? I think if we changed this process, that would make us better.'”
The character assessment goes beyond job skills during hiring. “Most of the time I’m in an interview trying to get them to talk about who they are, what their interests are,” Fritz says. “You can tell when somebody’s got a little bit more than just the average person—they’re more outgoing, willing to share, can think logically about random things.”
Why the Freight Leadership Lab Matters
Fritz speaks from experience about the program’s value; he was part of the very first cohort six years ago, when it was called the Leadership Academy. While he emphasizes the quality content, he’s most enthusiastic about something else: relationships.
“The biggest thing these folks are going to take away is the relationships they make with their cohort,” Fritz says. “I still talk to some of the same folks from six years ago. You go to conferences and you see these people and keep in touch.”
These connections become invaluable resources for bouncing ideas off peers facing similar challenges, from technology vendor evaluations to general business strategy questions and beyond.
Who Should Attend?
Fritz recommends the program for two types of professionals: rock stars from other industries who need to get up to speed on how freight works, and existing employees who’ve demonstrated talent and growth potential.
“Maybe somebody that’s relatively new to the industry that has some talent and you think is going to be around a while,” he suggests. “Or somebody that’s been with you a few years, doing a great job, and you can see down the line they’re going to be a manager.”
The Investment That Pays Forward
For Fritz, the Freight Leadership Lab represents more than professional development, it’s about building a network of principled leaders who can elevate the entire industry.
“It’s a pretty low barrier of entry to jump into this class,” Fritz concludes. “I think you’ll get the return out of it.”
As the freight industry continues to evolve, programs like the Freight Leadership Lab ensure that future leaders understand not just the operational side of the business, but the financial fundamentals, relationship-building skills, and cross-functional thinking that separate good employees from great leaders.
The Freight Leadership Lab brings together emerging leaders from across the freight industry for intensive training on leadership, ethics, and business fundamentals. Applications for the next cohort are now being accepted. Email education@tianet.org for details. Registering for the Freight Leadership Lab INCLUDES a complementary ticket to Capital Ideas Conference 2026.
