THE MEN’S ISSUE
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Joe Alston is an absolute renaissance man: a veteran, a dedicated husband, family man, a traveler, and the quintessential logistic professional. He moves through life warmly, and authentically, always living to the fullest. Recently VIP had a moment to get to know the man behind it all. How did you come to arrive in Clarksville? Where are you from originally? I was born and raised an 80’s kid in Southern California. Generation X. This is important because it is the greatest decade of music in history! I cut my teeth on the beautiful beaches of Huntington Beach, CA., the 405 Freeway, and In-N-Out Burger. This is also important to note because I can remember vividly the day I arrived in Clarksville. It was January 1990 and I was a fresh new US Army recruit on my way to Fort Campbell. Clarksville Limousine Service (which was basically a shuttle service from the airport) carried me there but when we got off at exit 1 and headed down Tiny Town Rd, I wondered what in the world I had gotten myself into! There were no beaches, no palm trees, no blue water. Clarksville was nothing like home! What is your most proud accomplishment? There is a rich military history in the Alston family. Alston men and women have served in all branches of the military and fought in
Joe Alston
all manner of conflicts, from Desert Storm to Vietnam to WWII, etc. I believe I am most proud that I was fortunate enough to serve our country and add my name to the list of Parents, Grandparents, Great Grandparents, Uncles, Cousins, and other family members that carry the Alston name. I am also very proud to live in a community full of Veterans. A community that treats its Veterans so well. Clarksville IS home for me!
What does an average day look like for you? I often liken my position as an operations manager for FedEx Express to herding cats. There are so many moving parts that you must have an aptitude for planning and then an unsatiable appetite for problem solving. My day starts early by digging through data on our service and performance indices from the day before. I utilize that data to do any reporting up the chain that may be required.
What brings you the most joy? Time changes perspective! At 51 years of age, I am no longer ‘caught up in the race’. I find that the things that bring me the most joy are quite simple. Riding my motorcycle on long trips to nowhere with my best friend holding on tightly behind me. Our dearest friends in the world on a motorcycle alongside. Stopping along the way to lay under a tree or explore a small-town square. While at home, sitting on the back porch watching the Clarksville sky as the day comes to an end. Bentley, our Goldendoodle, sitting beside me begging for a head scratch. These are the things that bring me the most joy!
Then the focus shifts to current day. Planning out the route assignments based upon volume, projected arrival time of that volume and staffing constraints. Once the freight arrives, it is GO TIME! A well-oiled machine sorts through and loads all the freight in the span of about an hour and they hit the road. The rest of my day is spent planning, training, reporting and problem solving. I am the only manager in an operation with 40+ employees and a span of operation from 0400 to 2100, 6 days a week. It keeps me very busy but I try to lead in such a way as to empower employees to critically think and manage their on-road time wisely and safely.
You ride motorcycles, travel the country, taste local cuisines, and adventure on the regular. What does the perfect vacation look like for you? The perfect vacation is 2 weeks long, not 1 week. It involves tropical sunsets, crystal clear water, warm temperatures and amazing food. I believe in hard work and discipline more so than most, but when it is time to relax, I believe in doing it to the fullest. The nickname ‘VIP Joe’ didn’t come about by accident. 5-star all the way. Let’s keep the cold drinks coming, a private pool and a massage perhaps?!!
What are you most excited about for the future? My wife, Jennifer Alston, and I are newly emptynesters. We have raised 5 amazing children, each unique in their own way. We have spent countless hours on the ballfield, at karate lessons, hosting pool parties and doing just about everything else that raising well-rounded kids demands! Jennifer and I have always talked about our future plans after the kids were grown. The thing the I am most excited about for the future is simply this…the future is now! After all the hard work and dedication to our family, we are doing the things that we most enjoy, together! We absolutely enjoy each other’s company and there is not a single person on earth or in heaven that I would rather spend my time with than Jennifer Alston! The future is ours!
So, we know you are King of Logistics, and in charge of a whole lot of moving parts at FedEx, but can you tell us what all you do professionally?
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