History

Austin Freight Systems (AFS) was founded by Brian Sutton and George Copeland in May of 1996.  The two industry veterans have over 68 years experience together in trucking and transportation.  Both owners have considerable experience as pioneers in LTL freight consolidation prior to the opening of Austin Freight Systems. 

Starting in 1996 with two employees and 1 million dollars in revenue, Austin Freight Systems has grown to a corporation that now has a total of 14 employees. Austin Freight Systems has a carrier base of over 9500 trucking partners. In addition, the firm hauled over 6000 shipments for their customer base in 2010. Moreover, with sales accelerating, Austin Freight Systems is one of the most dependable and trustworthy brokerages in America.

Over 300 different shippers used Austin Freight Systems' services in 2010.  As AFS has grown, so has customer loyalty as evidenced by long-standing customers which have been with the company since its founding in 1996.  With a proven track record in customer service and competitive pricing, the firm has seen a revenue increase of 41% over the last two years, and 94% since 2007.

TIA Membership

Austin Freight Systems has been a longstanding member of TIA since 1998.  As a member of this organization that represents the third-party logistics industry,  AFS must hold the highest professional standards of service and business ethics.  AFS is held accountable to these standards by TIA and takes the Code of Professionalism in highest regard.  For more information about TIA visit their website.

Bios

Brian Sutton, Founder and CEO
An entrepreneur, with more than 34 years in the trucking industry, Mr. Brian Sutton is a respected leader in the trucking and freight industry. Mr. Sutton was born in Kewanee, Illinois and attended High School in Burlington, Iowa. He started on the freight docks in Iowa as an 18 year old teenager during the summers. Mr. Sutton spent 4 years at United Parcel Service in Corpus Christi, Texas while attending college.  Mr. Sutton graduated from Corpus Christi State University, now Texas A&M University, with a BBA in Management in 1981.

At age 22, Mr. Sutton became the youngest terminal manager in the history of Consolidated Freightways, (CF). While at CF, he started and opened the Midland/Odessa and San Angelo, Tx. freight markets from scratch. He came to Austin in 1985 as Terminal Manager for ARA/Smith's Transportation and built the first freight terminal on an open field on Bagby Lane in far east Austin.

In 1989, Mr. Sutton joined Modaline, Inc. in Austin as the National Sales Manager. Mr. Sutton and Mr. George Copeland opened AFS, Austin Freight Systems, Inc. in 1996 to better serve the Austin and Texas Truckload, LTL and Flat Bed market. Mr. Sutton and Mr. Copeland are experts in the Truckload and large LTL brokerage business, with an extensive and impressive customer following.

George K. Copeland, CTB, CFO, Founder
Originally from Del Rio, Texas, Mr. George Copeland received a BA from the University of Texas at Austin in 1976. With more than 34 years of experience, Mr. Copeland started in the trucking business with SMT Freight Lines in San Antonio, Texas as their Director of Customer Service from 1977-1982. He moved back to Austin as Terminal Manager from 1982-1989. In 1989, Mr. Copeland joined Modaline, Inc. as their VP of Operations from 1989-1996.

Mr. Copeland teamed up with Mr. Brian Sutton and started (AFS), Austin Freight Systems, Inc. in 1996. Mr, Copeland became the first Certified Transportation Broker, (CTB) in the Austin area in February, 1999. At AFS, he is responsible for Accounting, Computer IT, Administration and Operations.

Active in the Boy Scouts of America for 12 years as an Assistant Scoutmaster, one of his proudest achievements was hiking across the Grand Canyon, north rim to south rim. Mr. Copeland is currently a Director of the Greater Austin Area United States Bowling Congress and a member of the Exchange Club of Austin.

Mr. Copeland said, "We founded AFS on the principles of honesty, integrity and hard work. We deal fairly with our customers, employees, carriers, and do what we say we will do. Communication is the key in our business. We strive to uphold these principles."

Mr. Copeland and Mr. Brian Sutton founded Sutton Transport. a Texas Truckload carrier, in 1999. Mr. Copeland and Mr. Sutton are also partners in numerous real estate ventures in and around the Austin area.

Jim Gunter, Operations Manager
An Austin original, Jim Gunter has watched the Austin area grow enormously throughout his lifetime. After attending schools in Austin, he graduated from Texas State University in 1980 with a Bachelor of Business Administration (concentration in management).

Jim started his career in the trucking business with Southwestern Motor Transport (SMT Lines). Jim worked for SMT for 14 years, beginning in Sales, Operations and eventually became the Austin Terminal Manager.

After a brief stint with Red Arrow Truck Line and Action Express, Jim joined George and Brian at Austin Freight Systems in 1997. Quickly learning the brokerage business, Jim became the Operations Manager and has helped the company grow. He not only directs our customer service, but oversees our carrier relations as well. In 2007 Jim became a Certified Transportation Broker, the industry's top designation.

Office Locations:

Chicago, Illinois
1256 West Jefferson Street #204
Joliet, IL, 60435

Toll Free:(800) 480-8620
Phone:(815) 741-9995
Fax: (815) 741-9998

Hours: 6:30am - 4:30pm (Central US Time)

After Hours Support:
Jon Forsberg
(815) 915-1027