Member Spotlight

Member Spotlight: Alfred D. Iannelli

The Traffic Club of Philadelphia is proud to feature our January Member Spotlight: Alfred (Al) D. Iannelli, a 30 year TCP veteran whose remarkable career spans over four decades in international and intermodal transportation!

Al currently serves as President and Chief Operating Officer of Inland Express, an asset based port FCL drayage company with eight strategically located terminals along the East Coast. His unwavering commitment to his profession and family has made him a respected leader and one of Philadelphia's most successful businessmen.

A Career Built on Vision and Dedication

Al's journey began in 1975 on the Delaware River as a boarding agent for B.H. Sobelman, where he boarded vessels arriving in the port of Philadelphia, including Maersk ships, before containerization became standard.

Witnessing the Containerization Revolution

From those early days on the Delaware River, Al's passion for the maritime and logistics propelled him into leadership roles that helped shape the industry. He had a front row seat to one of the most significant transformations in the marine industry: the containerization revolution.

"I was fortunate to attend Maersk training seminars when they were just getting started at berth 51 in Port Newark."

Al served 19 years as Executive Vice President at H&M International and was President of PTL Intermodal, a Conrail subsidiary. During his tenure, Al traveled extensively with Chairman James Cunningham, gaining invaluable experience across the intermodal landscape.

Inland Express: Driving Excellence

Founded under Al's leadership, Inland Express specializes in providing drayage services for steamship companies, BCOs, freight forwarders, custom brokers, and 3PLs. With terminals at major East Coast ports and Rail terminals, Inland Express delivers value added solutions for low and high volume clients.

Looking Ahead: Growth and Opportunity

Inland Express has ambitious expansion plans dependent on the 2026 economy. Al's priority locations include Memphis by mid 2026, if the economy supports it, followed by Chicago, though he notes it's currently a less active market.

30+ Years with the Traffic Club of Philadelphia

Al has been a TCP member since 1990, and his assessment of the club's impact is unequivocal. The Traffic Club "made me move my career forward more than any other club." The relationships built through TCP exemplify the power of TCP's networking community.

The Value of Hands On Experience

Al is passionate about the importance of field experience in the logistics industry, though he's concerned about changing attitudes among younger professionals. "The younger generation lacks hands on interest," he observes. "There's no enthusiasm for port tours or ship visits. They prefer computer work over field experience."

He firmly believes that industry knowledge requires hands on learning, not just classroom education. Face to face sales calls remain invaluable in his approach. "I recently took a trip to Chicago, meeting email contacts in person," Al shares. "There was an immediate difference in communication tone. Nothing replaces that personal connection."

While Al acknowledges that security issues have limited some access opportunities at ports and facilities, he continues to champion the hands on approach that has served him so well throughout his career.

A Philosophy Built on Relationships

Q: What advice would you give to young professionals entering the transportation and logistics industry?

A: Get out from behind your computer and into the field. Visit ports, tour facilities, meet people face to face. The relationships you build and the hands on knowledge you gain are irreplaceable. And join organizations like TCP. They'll move your career forward faster than anything else.

Q: What does TCP mean to you after all these years?

A: TCP made me move my career forward more than any other club. The relationships, the mentorship, the community. It's been invaluable. That Person of the Year award in 2011 was special because my family finally understood what this industry and this organization meant to me.

A Career Defined by Dedication

From boarding vessels on the Delaware River in 1975 to building a thriving business at Inland Express, Al Iannelli's story is a testament to hard work, innovation, and the enduring impact of strong leadership in transportation and logistics. His commitment to TCP, his mentoring of others, and his dedication to the industry exemplify the very best of our transportation and logistics community.

Al's story is one of vision and dedication, relationship building, and staying true to the hands on values that built the maritime industry. We are honored to have Al as a long time TCP member and grateful for his dedication to both our organization and industry as a whole.

Stay tuned for our next Member Spotlight!