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 at the Port of Philadelphia, including Maersk ships before containerization became standard. His entry into the field came through a family connection. His mother attended a wedding where his cousin Vic Faricci, who worked for Columbus Line, arranged an interview that would launch his lifelong career.

Those early days were anything but ordinary. Al vividly recalls a memorable incident at 3am while boarding a Shell oil tanker: "I fell off an electric ladder into the water," he recounts. "I lost the manifest, immigration papers, and crew payroll. Shell had to remake the entire payroll for the crew." It's the kind of story that captures both the challenges and the hands on nature of the industry that Al has always embraced.

Witnessing the Containerization Revolution

From these early days on the Delaware River, Al's passion for maritime and logistics propelled him into leadership roles that shaped the industry. He had a front row seat to one of the most significant transformations in maritime history: the containerization revolution. He witnessed Maersk's entry into the container business as the last major steamship company to containerize.

"I attended training seminars for agents when they were just getting started," Al remembers. "The containers were being built in Newark by a Portuguese company. It was the beginning of a complete industry transformation."

Al served 19 years as Executive Vice President for H&M International and was President of PTL Intermodal, a Conrail subsidiary, from 1990 to 1994. PTL grew to become a trucking powerhouse with $100 million in revenue and 67 locations at every Conrail ramp. During his tenure, Al traveled extensively with Chairman Cunningham, gaining invaluable experience across the intermodal landscape.

Throughout his career, Al has held key positions in marketing, sales, and operations, earning respect for his foresight and ability to navigate complex transportation challenges.

Inland Express: Driving Excellence

Founded under Al's leadership, Inland Express specializes in transporting domestic 53' containers and international containers for steamship companies, BCOs, freight forwarders, customs brokers, and 3PLs. With terminals at major East Coast ports, Inland Express ensures efficient, cost effective service for shipments across North America.

Al's philosophy is simple yet powerful: focus on the customer. By implementing strategic goals centered on service, Inland Express delivers value added solutions for both low and high volume clients.

Today, Al has come full circle in a beautiful way. His wife and son now work alongside him in the business. His son serves as VP of Operations, having transitioned from accounting despite initially not wanting to be part of the business. His wife, affectionately known as the "Chassis Queen," manages chassis operations with expertise and dedication.

This family involvement reflects the work life balance philosophy Al learned from his father: "When you're home, you're home." Despite traveling extensively during his PTL years and missing many events when his kids were small, Al always made sure to insert himself back into family activities when he returned. That commitment to family has now created a lasting business legacy.

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. With his characteristic industry insight, Al observes: "We're first to feel the downturn and first to feel the upturn." Despite economic uncertainties, he remains hopeful about business recovery.

30+ Years with the Traffic Club of Philadelphia

Al has been a TCP member since at least 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."

Two mentors in particular, both connected through TCP, were instrumental in advancing his career: Joe Parazi of CSX, who Al describes as "so valuable as a friend and business support," and Bob Huffman of Southern Railroad. These relationships exemplify the power of TCP's networking community.

"It was the first time my family truly understood my business involvement," Al reflects about that evening. "They saw my network and my passion at the dinner. That meant everything to me."

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 family 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 mentorship of others, and his dedication to his family 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're honored to have Al as a long time TCP member and grateful for his decades of contributions to both our organization and the industry as a whole.

Stay tuned for our next Member Spotlight!