Keller Logistics Group Enhances Leadership for Strategic National Growth in 3PL Sector

Keller Logistics Group (KLG), an asset-based third-party logistics provider based in Defiance, Ohio, has unveiled a series of strategic leadership appointments aimed at propelling its national growth ambitions. Established in 1978, KLG is committed to refining its operational efficiency and expanding its clientele across diverse sectors, including solar, manufacturing, food and beverage, and retail. With these latest developments, KLG aims to significantly enhance its service portfolio and adapt to the evolving logistics landscape.

New Senior Leadership Additions

The company has appointed three seasoned professionals to its commercial leadership team: Mike Whitlock as Director of Business Development at Keller Warehousing & Co-Packing, Steve Staley as Director of Business Development for Keller Industrial Properties, and Katie Furnish as Regional Dedicated Sales Manager in Keller Trucking. These roles are essential in facilitating KLG’s expansion efforts as the company builds a robust leadership framework that aligns with its growth vision.

The appointments occur in the wake of previous strategic hiring, which included Lars Cleland, a former C.H. Robinson executive, who was named President of Keller Freight Solutions in July 2025. Under Lars's leadership, KLG is set to attract elite talent to navigate the competitive logistics arena effectively. Collectively, this leadership team brings over 75 years of experience from leading firms like C.H. Robinson, Schneider National, DHL, and others, showcasing KLG’s commitment to assembling a top-tier talent pool.

The Strategy Behind the Growth Plan

Bryan Keller, President and CEO of KLG, articulated the company’s strategy, stating, “We are stacking the bench for the next decade.” This highlights the firm's belief in building a strong base of talent at all levels, not just the upper echelons. He underscored the importance of having capable leaders in every operational facet to navigate the upcoming challenges and opportunities in the logistics sector. “The companies that will win in this industry are the ones that build deep, durable talent in every seat,” Keller added.

As KLG embarks on a multi-faceted growth agenda, it is expanding its warehousing footprint into new states based on customer-driven agreements, such as those recently established in Maine and Connecticut. Additionally, KLG enhances its multimodal focus at Keller Freight Solutions, which now encompasses intermodal, drayage, expedited freight, flatbed services, reefer transport, and LTL shipments.

Moreover, Keller Trucking continues to grow its dedicated and private fleet conversions, contributing to an innovative industrial real estate platform that uniquely combines facilities with supply chain solutions. This diversification enables KLG to position itself as a one-stop solution for enterprise shippers aiming to consolidate their logistics operations with fewer, yet reliable, partners.

Keller's viewpoint on this transformative phase emphasizes personal accountability and commitment to providing comprehensive logistics services without compromising quality. As the company prepares for its next chapter, its mission to enrich lives through dedicated service remains front and center, driving its operational ethos.

Commitment to Core Values

With core values centered around being responsive, resourceful, and reliable, Keller Logistics Group continues to prioritize its services and safety measures in the logistics industry. “The bench is deeper today than it has ever been,” Keller states, implying that the company’s enduring growth and service excellence will fully materialize in the next decade.

As KLG embarks on this ambitious journey, there is a palpable excitement about how its collective experience and talent will reshape the narrative of a Northwest Ohio-based 3PL on a national scale. By focusing on internal talent development and significantly enhancing its operational capabilities, Keller Logistics Group is better positioned to face the future of logistics in a rapidly changing market.