From the bustling streets of Chicago to the highways of the United States, Expedited Trans has built a reputation on reliability, safety, and a relentless drive to meet customer expectations. Founded by Jerry Velasquez and Arlene Valdez the company is a story of vision, persistence, and a commitment to both people and equipment.

Velasquez grew up surrounded by trucks. “Chicago is a big trucking city,” he recalls. “I saw Volvo trucks everywhere. It pulled me into this industry. Everything moves in trucks. Food, clothing, materials. I wanted to be part of that supply chain.” That early exposure sparked a passion that would guide his career.

After high school, Velasquez learned to drive from his father and brother. He knew then he wanted to get behind the wheel. He earned his CDL and worked as a company driver in a large fleet, gaining experience and understanding the demands of the road. Soon after, he purchased his first truck, a burgundy Volvo VNL 670. “That truck was the beginning,” he says. “It shaped me. I was a driver before I was a business owner, and that perspective has influenced everything we do at Expedited Trans.”

A driver-first philosophy became the foundation of the company. “I understand what it’s like to be on the road,” Velasquez says. “Comfort, reliability, dependability. Those aren’t just buzzwords. They’re what a driver needs every day.” That mindset informs every decision at Expedited Trans, from operations to equipment investment.

Starting with one truck and a small loan from his family, Velasquez moved to Miami and began building what would become a thriving fleet. His wife, Arlene, was instrumental in the early days, managing the back office while he focused on operations. Today the two founders are still instrumental. She currently serves as president, while he is CEO.

From the start they established a culture of hard work, trust, and growth. Within the first few years, they had expanded to 20 brand-new Volvo VNLs, laying the groundwork for a company defined by high standards and professional integrity.

Equipment: The non-negotiable

At Expedited Trans, the trucks are more than tools. They are the backbone of the company. For Velasquez, equipment is everything. “The trucks we choose reflect who we are. They have to be reliable, safe, and capable of handling demanding freight,” he explains.

That philosophy is shared by the entire leadership team, including Ray Perez, the terminal manager, who keeps a vigilant eye on performance and safety. “Safety is our number one priority,” Perez says. “We start every operation with that in mind. Performance and reliability are non-negotiables. Our trucks have to perform on the road, day in and day out, for demanding customers like USPS. That pressure is constant, and the only way we meet it is with equipment we can trust.”

For Expedited Trans, their equipment’s performance helps build a reputation for dependability. Being a rock-solid partner has allowed them to grow business with demanding customers, like the United States Postal Service. Expedited now transports more than 17,000 loads a year of mail to postal service depots. “When we pull into a customer site, like USPS, they see our fleet,” Velasquez explains. “Brand new Volvos, maintained meticulously, speak volumes. It shows we care and that we’re investing in our company. Our customers trust us because we invest in the right tools.”

Every new addition to the fleet is carefully evaluated. Expedited Trans doesn’t just buy trucks; it invests in vehicles that enhance safety, comfort, and efficiency. Mauricio Botero, a top driver at Expedited Trans, echoes the sentiment: “These trucks are comfortable, quiet, and easy to drive. The interiors are great, and the space makes long hauls more manageable. You feel safe, and you can focus on the road.”

Choosing the next generation VNL

When the new Volvo VNL models were introduced in 2024, Expedited Trans saw an opportunity to stay ahead. “The first time I saw the new VNL, I fell in love,” Velasquez says. “The design, the aerodynamics, the technology; it looked like the future. We wanted to be first. We wanted our fleet and our drivers to experience this technology and the performance it offered.”

Perez agrees. “The trucks look amazing. They’re safe, reliable, and high-performing. We got the first units, and there was a learning curve. Electrical components, sensors, all new systems. But working with our local dealer, we learned quickly. Now, we feel ahead of everyone else.”

Botero drives one of the new VNLs daily. He points out the effect the trucks have on a driver’s experience. “The truck is comfortable. The interior space is great; the bed and fridge are excellent. Driving is smooth and quiet. For us drivers, that makes all the difference on long days. Safety and comfort are everything.”

The VNL choice was also about performance and efficiency. “We monitor fuel consumption daily,” Perez says. “The new trucks deliver. We’re seeing 9.5–9.6 MPG consistently. That’s huge for our operations.”

Dealer partnership: A family relationship

Expedited Trans doesn’t operate alone. A strong partnership with the local Volvo Trucks dealer, Nextran Truck Centers, has been critical. Early on, the dealer provided hands-on support during the learning curve of the break-in period, sending mechanics to the terminal and helping troubleshoot. “They’ve been family from day one,” Perez says. “When we bring in new trucks, they’re there to help us get them road-ready and keep them performing.”

“We have seen Expedited Trans go from a very small fleet to a midsize fleet, and now becoming a much larger fleet,” says Diego Moreno, regional truck sales manager for Nextran in South Florida. “It’s been a great experience working with them and watching them grow.”

Velasquez also values the dealer relationship for strategic reasons. “It’s about trust and alignment. They understand our business, our applications, and our customers. That knowledge allows us to be innovative and trailblazing with new trucks. They’re partners in our success.”

The dealer partnership allows Expedited Trans to take calculated risks with new technology, confident that they have support. “We can adopt the latest generation trucks knowing we have the expertise and resources behind us,” Velasquez says. “That’s how we maintain our edge.”

From one truck to a trailblazing fleet

From the burgundy VNL 670 that started it all to the latest generation VNLs surpassing 200,000 miles, Expedited Trans has grown deliberately and strategically. The company now operates a fleet of more than 100 trucks with over 170 drivers, maintaining a culture that balances performance, safety, and driver satisfaction.

“Being the first fleet in the USA to put 200,000 miles on these new units is a proud moment,” Velasquez says. “It reflects our hard work, dependability, and commitment to our customers.”

Perez echoes the sentiment. “We’ve learned together—drivers, mechanics, leadership, and our dealer. Every update and every improvement make the trucks better, safer, and more reliable. That’s our focus every day.”

Drivers also feel the benefits. Botero describes the excitement each time a new truck arrives. “There’s a waiting line for the trucks. Drivers want to take ownership. Comfort, space, safety. It makes a difference. You want to drive more and do better work because you have the right tools.”

The company’s approach of investing in equipment, prioritizing safety, and building strong partnerships has created a fleet that performs consistently under demanding conditions. It’s a combination of strategy, technology, and culture that sets Expedited Trans apart.

A drive to succeed that’s ingrained in the culture

The phrase “Relentlessly Driven” isn’t just a tagline at the fleet. It’s a guiding principle.

“It means never taking no for an answer,” Velasquez explains. “No doors close without us finding a way to open them. That mindset runs from leadership to drivers. Everyone shares the same focus on performance, reliability, and service.”

That culture is evident in every aspect of operations. From on-time deliveries to proactive fleet maintenance, every employee understands the standards expected. Perez notes, “We push for excellence because we trust our equipment, our team, and our processes. That’s how we achieve success for our customers every day.”

Velasquez emphasizes the human element as much as the equipment. “I’m most proud of our team. We invest in people, we invest in trucks, we invest in technology. The combination is what allows us to deliver excellence. Our customers know that when they work with Expedited Trans, they’re getting reliability, integrity, and professionalism.”

Looking forward: Volvo and the road ahead

For Expedited Trans, the future is about innovation, sustainability, and continued investment in people and equipment. Volvo trucks play a central role in that vision. “Volvo is part of our future,” Velasquez says. “They keep designing trucks that are fuel-efficient, aerodynamic, safe, and reliable. That aligns with our mission to deliver the highest performance to our customers.”

At the terminal, Perez sees the trucks as both a tool and a statement. “Our drivers feel safe. The technology helps remove human error. Fuel efficiency is improving. Comfort is enhanced. It all adds up to better performance and safer operations.”

The partnership with Volvo and their local dealer ensures that Expedited Trans can continue to adopt new technology confidently, maintain a high-performing fleet, and set a standard for the industry.

“We’re not just keeping up; we’re setting the standard,” says Velasquez. “With the right trucks, the right team, and the right partnerships, the future is bright. Volvo helps us move forward, and we’re ready for what’s next.”

From one young driver with a single, used red VNL to a trailblazing company with lofty expectations, Expedited Trans has demonstrated that success is built on equipment, people, and relentless drive.