Welcome to the Team Matt Gerstenberger
Help us welcome Matt Gerstenberger, expedited account manager for Stutsman Logistics. He joined the team in September of 2020, and loves working with customers to win loads and foster more opportunities for the future.
Matt earned his associate’s degree from a local community college and got his bachelor’s degree in business management online from Bellevue University. Before joining the SLI team, Matt worked as a tracking supervisor for two different logistics companies. Matt calls Wonder Lake, IL home, which is a small town in the northern region of the state.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I like golfing and fishing, as well as shooting. I am passionate about my family and my dogs. I have a German shorthaired pointer and a Brittany that I adore. My other spare time is spent with my wife and two boys (ages 17 and 20), going out and doing things when we can.
What are you most excited about in your new job?
I enjoy creating relationships, so I’m excited to grow in my role as an account manager. For me, there is nothing better than meeting a customer and becoming someone they can trust with their freight.
What is your proudest accomplishment?
Becoming someone that my team can count on. I always work to create my own value and be the person my team or customers know will go the extra mile. That makes me feel like I have done something to be proud of.
Who has influenced your career the most? Why?
For me, it has been my dad. I grew up watching him work all the time, and I get my drive from him. I remember him taking calls and answering emails regardless of the time of day; that is what the job required, so that is what he did. He never complained or passed the buck, it was just part of his life. I do the same thing, and that is where my dedication comes from. He always told me that if you are going to do something, do it 100%. Give it your all or do not do it at all.
If you could snap your fingers and become an expert at something, what would it be?
I would be an expert on computers. I know enough to help sometimes, but would love to know more since computers and technology are becoming a bigger part of our lives every day.
What is the best advice you have ever been given?
My grandpa passed this onto my dad who passed it on to me: “There is no such thing as a free lunch”.
What is your favorite season to work in? Why?
For our job, seasons do not really have an impact on our work, but I like to work in the winter. I can look out the window and see the cold and snow and know that I have it pretty good sitting inside at a computer.
What is something random that most people do not know about you?
My high school varsity hockey team coach was Steve Carlson, which most people would know as one of the Hanson brothers in the movie Slap Shot. He wore number 17. From 1998-2000 he was my coach, and even though he has aged from that movie, he still had it. Steve would make all of us hot shot high schoolers look silly whenever he wanted to.
What is on your bucket list?
I want to go to Australia and swim on the barrier reef. I would also like to take an Alaskan cruise.
Which Stutsman Core Value means the most to you and why?
Radiate enthusiasm; I like to think I’m a positive guy who sees the glass as half-full. I try to be optimistic and project positivity onto everyone I encounter.
