Leadership
Learn more about the leaders at Paper Transport.
Ben Schill CEO
Ben Schill
CEO
What Drives Ben? – Workplace Innovation and Engagement
A down-to-earth leader who wants a great place to work for his employees, CEO Ben Schill sets the tone for everyone at Paper Transport with his high energy, openness to ideas, and willingness to create change.
Recognizing the need to move things forward in the transportation industry, Ben works closely with the PTI team to discover, research, and implement new technology and business practices. Under his watch, PTI has pioneered safety developments, predictive driver analytics, remote connectivity improvements, and extended driver training through open source technology. Through these innovations, PTI’s drivers, operations team, and office support professionals are able to easily communicate with one another, leading to a workplace that is open, engaging, and supportive.
Ben has a degree from St. Norbert College in Business and Economics and an MBA from the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh. Prior to working at PTI, he was a Senior Financial Analyst at the California based restaurant-chain Jack in the Box and has held leadership positions at Schneider National.
Have a Question for Ben?
Ben knows what it takes to create an open, honest work environment along with pushing for innovation. If you would like to get in touch with him in regards to any media inquiries, please email Marketing.Initiatives@papertransport.com and we’ll be in touch.
Jeff Shefchik Advisor
Jeff Shefchik
Advisor
What Drives Jeff? Building a great place to work.
When Paper Transport advisor Jeff Shefchik comes into the office each day, he has one main goal that he wants to accomplish. That goal is to create a great place for people to work.
It’s a simple goal Jeff’s carried with him throughout his working days, dating back to when he helped his dad, Leroy, as a youngster at the family construction business. There, he learned that hiring talented people and treating them with respect was what it took to run a successful business.
Using that same approach, along with being honest, available, and approachable, Jeff has helped build a positive, comfortable work environment at PTI. Visitors always say when they walk through the building, “There’s something different about this company.” And that difference is people like what they do, support one another, push to be the best at what they do, and yes, as cliché as it sounds, have fun while they’re doing it. In turn, the company has not only grown since he started but has begun to attract top talent when it comes to both Class A CDL Drivers and office support professionals with over 1,000 members on the team.
Jeff is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh (Bachelor of Science Degree – Accounting and Finance) and started his career working for a private accounting firm.
Have a Question for Jeff?
Although Jeff understands what it takes to motivate people, he also has a strong skill set related to different aspects of transportation. Plus, accounting, finance, planning, and budgeting. If you have any questions for Jeff, please email Marketing.Initiatives@papertransport.com and we’ll be in touch!
John Renier CFO
Joe Shefchik
CFO
What Drives John? – Doing what’s best for PTI
When CFO John Renier makes business decisions at Paper Transport his first thought is to determine if it’s the best possible option for the company and its employees. If it’s not, he’ll find one with the help of his hardworking accounting team.
Together, they have collaborated to implement new innovative business processes and practices to achieve scalable, efficient, and manageable growth at PTI. Examples include improving the driver payroll process, streamlining accounts receivable and accounts payable procedures, and using technology and software advancements to simplify daily accounting functions. Thanks to these innovations, PTI has been able to achieve both rapid growth and long-term success.
A graduate of St. Norbert College (Bachelor of Business Administration) and San Diego State University (Master of Business Administration), John has worked in transportation his entire career. Before coming to PTI, he was a Fuel Manager and Finance Manager at Schneider National.
Have a Question for John?
John’s skill set is rooted in business finance. He manages all of the accounting functions at PTI and has developed multiple process improvement plans. If you have any questions, please email Marketing.Initiatives@papertransport.com and we’ll be in touch!
Joe Shefchik VP BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT & SOLUTIONS
Joe Shefchik
Vice President of Business Development and Solutions
What Drives Joe? Problem-solving.
As the Vice President of Business Development and Solutions at Paper Transport Joe Shefchik is known for problem-solving.
Each and every day, he works closely with his team of sales, customer service, and operations members to tackle the freight hauling needs of PTI’s customers. Moving something from point A to point B, it might seem like a straightforward task. Sometimes that’s true. However, striving for better and solving the most challenging issues is where the team really steps in to make a difference. They all work together to listen, recognize, and understand a customer’s goals to deliver clear, actionable shipping and freight solutions.
Before joining PTI, Joe successfully owned his own business, Precise Results Marketing, which he started after graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point with a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications. A common thread throughout his professional career is his desire to make things better whenever possible. That’s why he enjoys being a part of the PTI team – there’s always an opportunity to make positive change.
Have a Question for Joe?
Joe has a strong knowledge base in regards to the utilization of multimodal transportation, building customer relationships through sales and engagement, and leading a cross-functional team. If you would like to get in touch with Joe in regards to any media inquiries about multimodal transportation, please email Marketing.Initiatives@papertransport.com and we’ll be in touch.
Becky Davies VP of Human Resources
Becky Davies
VP of Human Resources
What Drives Becky? – Employee Engagement and Fulfillment
Becky Davies learned early on that in business, employees want one thing: To be treated with dignity and respect. Without it, they’re quick to move on. When making decisions, Becky uses this as a guiding principle in her role as the VP of Human Resources at Paper Transport.
Working alongside her Human Resources team, Becky strives to create a positive, supportive work environment where there is trust and appreciation. This starts by hiring the right people who match PTI’s culture, developing their skills through training and development, and implementing the right programs, technology, and processes. Since joining PTI in 2018, Becky is focused on expanding PTI’s leadership development programs and re-evaluating HR processes and technology to support the company’s growth.
A graduate of St. Norbert College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Communications, Becky also holds a Senior Professional in Human Resources certification. Before coming to PTI, she worked in the manufacturing and software industries at Honeywell and Dover Corporation.
Have a Question for Becky?
Becky has an extensive human resources background with experience in strategic planning, employee relations, training, and organizational development, and talent acquisition. If you would like to get in touch with Becky, please email Marketing.Initiatives@papertransport.com and we’ll be in touch.
Dan Deppeler
VP Maintenance
Dan Deppeler
Vice President of Maintenance
What Drives Dan? – Building a Safe Fleet
To say that Vice President of Maintenance Dan Deppeler is an integral part of what makes Paper Transport successfully operate is a bit of an understatement. Why? Because he’s the team leader that keeps the company’s trucks and trailers traveling safely down the road every day.
He oversees a team of 11 people that is responsible for three main things: 1) Purchasing PTI’s equipment, 2) properly maintaining that equipment, and 3) supporting the company’s drivers any way they can. Although their job may sound straightforward, it’s not a small undertaking. The company currently has 875 trucks and more than 3,000 trailers. As the backbone of the company’s entire operation, Dan and his team pride themselves on working extremely hard to maintain PTI’s fleet so it’s always running safely, smoothly, and efficiently.
Dan holds a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and a Microsoft SQL Certification from the University of California-San Diego. He’s worked in transportation for a total of 20 years; other roles prior to PTI include being a Financial Analyst, Senior Financial Manager, and Controller.
Have a question for Dan?
Dan has a wealth of knowledge about different aspects of the transportation industry from maintenance to financial planning, purchasing, and more. If you would like to get in touch with him, please email Marketing.Initiatives@papertransport.com and we’ll be in touch
Wes Kornowske VP of Operations
Wes Kornowske
Vice President of Operations
What Drives Wes? Setting the tone for personal and professional success.
Throughout his life, Wes Kornowske has made it a point to be a strong, optimistic lead by example type of person, working hard to accomplish any task that’s presented to him. That mindset has led to his current role as the Vice President of Operations for all of Paper Transport truckload teams, comprised of 80 plus team members. He likes to build up the people around him to pave the way for success and that’s the approach he takes on a daily basis at Paper Transport.
When he looks at his team, he immediately sees the opportunity to maximize their potential and continually looks for ways to make their jobs easier. This may include process improvement, innovation, and automated workflows. He understands that in order for PTI to take advantage of its growth opportunities through the addition of new customers, assets, and freight hauling possibilities, they need to be at the top of their game. He will do whatever it takes to help get them there.
A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (BS in Political Science/Public Administration) and Northern Illinois (Masters in Public Administration), Wes also is a Licensed Customs Broker #32608 and began his career working for the Village of North Aurora. During his time there, he rose through the ranks to become its Village Administrator before coming to PTI.
Have a Question for Wes?
Wes has a strong knowledge base in transportation operations, focusing on financial sustainability, team and asset building, and process improvements. If you have any questions, please email Marketing.Initiatives@papertransport.com and we’ll be in touch!
Keith Stelzer VP of Safety and Recruiting
Keith Stelzer
VP of Safety & Recruiting
What Drives Keith? Paper Transport’s Two Core Values.
When Keith Stelzer comes to work, the Vice President of Safety and Recruiting has two goals he aspires to accomplish every day. By striving to inspire others, as well as make a personal commitment to safety, he incorporates Paper Transport’s people-centric values every time he steps through PTI’s front doors.
Keith believes that the phrase “What Drives You?” can be best achieved by an individual who will live out and act with a personal commitment to safety.
Since joining PTI in 2016, his leadership is placed in a multitude of key areas of the company: Safety, Recruiting, Marketing, and Training & Development. Keith has been focused on leading his employees and growing Paper Transport’s safe and qualified professional drivers. He also is tasked with the re-evaluation processes and technology. More so, Keith helps with creating the company’s growth and efficiency strategy.
Keith is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay (Bachelor’s– Business Administration, Minor-Human Development) and started his career working in the medical equipment field in sales and compliance and then management.
Have a Question for Keith?
Keith understands what it takes to lead people and to create safe-winning strategy. If you have any questions for Keith, please email Marketing.Initiatives@papertransport.com and we’ll be in touch!
Sandeep Pulavarty Chief INFORMATION OFFICER
Sandeep Pulavarty
Chief Information Officer
What Drives Sandeep? Building successful teams.
Recognized for balancing futuristic vision, down-to-earth execution, and a sense of business urgency, Sandeep leverages business knowledge and technical expertise to transform IT into a strategic company partner. As part of the executive leadership team, he provides expert advice on developing and integrating the best enterprise solutions and applications to enable organic growth, integrate M&A’s, and build profitability in the marketplace.
Motivated by a “people-first” mindset, Sandeep drives business performance to the next level by developing world-class staff, transforming IT teams to deliver strong business value, and instilling a culture that rewards teamwork, process simplification, and customer focus. He proudly built an award-winning CIO 100 IT team, recognized for creating industry-pioneering applications.
Sandeep earned a Master of Business Administration from The University of Texas and a Master of Science in Computer Science from the University of Montana. Prior to working at PTI, Sandeep held leadership positions at Ashley Furniture Industries, Tidewater & GulfMark Offshore.
