Ameer Poonawala recently became the fourth Shaker Logistics employee to earn the designation of “Certified Transportation Broker” (CTB) from the Transportation Intermediaries Association. This intensive certification program is the highest and most widely recognized broker credential in the 3PL industry.
“I’m so pleased that Ameer has succeeded and become the newest CTB on our team,” said Steve Seifridsberger, manager of Logistics Services for Shaker and himself a CTB. “I can say from experience that the CTB journey can be challenging,” he added. Matt Janeski and Pete Muia also hold the designation.
Candidates for CTB certification must show a combination of education and professional experience to be initially eligible for the program. A comprehensive CTB curriculum from TIA includes course modules on operational sales skills, risk management, and business acumen, all related to key business principles related to freight brokerage and contract transportation services. The candidate must pass a rigorous four-hour exam that demonstrates his or her knowledge.
“The hardest part of earning my CTB was definitely the application of case law to freight management,” said Poonawala. “There were constantly parallels between the claims and case laws I was studying with situations I have encountered in my career. It showed me the importance of being an ethical freight broker, which is something I think we all take great pride in at Shaker Logistics,” he said.
Poonawala, who studied business management at the University at Albany, joined Shaker Logistics in 2018, after working for several years with another 3PL. He works with key Shaker Logistics accounts managing their freight and finding creative solutions in often demanding situations. Many of the customers Poonawala routinely works with have specialized shipping needs, like tradeshow and event shipments.
“Our team is able to provide customers with the consultative and holistic approach that we’re known for because of people like Ameer who are constantly working to increase their knowledge,” said Seifridsberger. “I’m very proud of Ameer.”