Chris Wade, CDME

Provide executive leadership for a complex maintenance organization supporting 5 maintenance facilities, 60 employees, 5 shop managers, and 300+ pieces of equipment, including refrigerated assets. Key Achievements: • Designed and launched a quarterly technician training incentive program, driving measurable performance improvements while consistently meeting budget and weekly P&L targets. • Reduced operational risk by maintaining preventive maintenance overdue rates below 2% and Out-of-Service (OOS) rates under 4%. • Negotiated improved vendor labor rates, generating sustained cost savings across all locations. • Established standardized SOPs for in-service and decommissioned equipment, improving asset control and compliance. • Implemented a mounted tire program across all shops, increasing uptime and reducing turnaround time. • Conducted comprehensive shop audits, improving repair efficiency and reducing equipment downtime

Led maintenance strategy across the South Central and Northwest Regions, overseeing multiple shop managers and satellite facilities. Key Achievements: • Reduced Out-of-Service rates from 12% to below 5% and overdue PMs from 15% to 3% through disciplined PM execution and accountability. • Negotiated labor rates and vendor incentives to control costs while maintaining service quality. • Designed and implemented comprehensive safety and compliance programs, ensuring training and regulatory adherence. • Played a lead role in the planning, renovation, staffing, and tooling of a new Dallas maintenance facility. • Conducted detailed vendor invoice audits to protect budget integrity. • Ensured strict compliance with PM/DOT cycles across multiple terminals

Directed maintenance leadership teams across Texas, Maryland, and Louisiana, managing road breakdowns, accident response, and shop operations. Key Achievements: • Built the company’s maintenance platform, SOPs, and departmental budget from the ground up. • Reengineered preventive maintenance programs and asset utilization strategies to improve fleet efficiency. • Implemented continuous safety training protocols, reducing risk exposure while improving profitability. • Optimized fuel efficiency and reduced idle time through targeted driver education programs. • Negotiated national labor and parts pricing agreements, lowering maintenance spend. • Modernized fuel operations by implementing new routing systems and compliance controls.

Managed breakdown operations and maintenance leadership across facilities in ID, TN, CO, UT, CA, and AZ. Key Achievements: • Increased departmental profitability 30% in under two months by reducing maintenance cost per mile from $0.18 to $0.13. • Improved equipment utilization from 60% to 93%. • Developed cost-control SOPs, warranty programs, and preventive maintenance initiatives. • Negotiated cost-effective service agreements and warranty policies to maintain budget discipline

Oversaw accident-related repairs and breakdown operations across Texas and California. Key Achievements: • Trained and onboarded 20+ team members on new systems and procedures, improving retention and continuity. • Developed reporting tools to track and reduce equipment downtime. • Built strategic vendor partnerships and negotiated favorable service rates. • Authored repair estimates and implemented controls to reduce third-party repair expenses.

As a Road Breakdown Coordinator, I was responsible for generating reports for equipment downtime, reducing over the road maintenance costs, establishing and maintaining vendor relationships, and coordinating with the operations department to provide cost-efficiency and high levels of customer satisfaction.

As the Shop Foreman, I performed all fleet maintenance, increased equipment utilization, and ensured timely delivery of services.