Aim News

Dave Gurska, Aim Integrated Logistics’ Chief Operating Officer, recently marked three decades of unwavering dedication and commitment to Aim Transportation Solutions. In a world of rapid change, evolving work dynamics and shifting economic landscapes, that in itself is an extraordinary achievement.

Let’s rewind to 1991, right before Dave’s 30-year journey at Aim began. Dave’s education in business administration from Penn State-Behrend set the stage for him to start work for his father’s startup company. However, the economy then was in rough shape, and after a couple of years, they decided he needed to go out on his own. Dave’s next stop: Aim.

Dave has always had a unique skill for uniting his personal and professional interests to drive his success. In fact, his introduction to Aim happening on the basketball court was a shining example of this practice. Fresh out of college, Dave was no stranger to draining free throws and sinking threes; in fact, in 2006, he was inducted into his college’s Athletic Hall of Fame for his achievements on the hardwood. Well, it was during a game of pickup basketball with Jeff Manion, Aim’s Vice President of ProShop and Dave’s future boss, that Dave would be introduced to the company with which he would spend the next 30 years. The rest is, of course, history.

In 1993 when Dave joined Aim, the company was barely nine years old. It had roughly 10 locations and around 100 employees. To put this in perspective: Today, Aim has roughly 1,000 employees working in 100 locations and operations across the country. That level of growth is astounding, and Dave has been an integral part of it.

Dave filed into the Aim ranks as an entry-level lease sales and rental associate. It wasn’t long before his natural business acumen, unmatched ambition and free-flowing charisma began making huge, long-lasting impacts for the young company. In fact, several large accounts he landed during his early years at Aim helped propel Aim to a national level.

His success, drive and dedication didn’t go unnoticed. At around 32 years old, Dave became one of Aim’s youngest regional vice president ever. Along with great mentorship, Dave chalks a lot of his success up to a grit-and-grind mentality.

“I always tried to work harder than everyone,” Dave Gurska said. “My mantra was if you outwork everybody else—even if you’re not the best sales guy—you’re going to have the most opportunities and most chances to close business.”

In 2010, Tom Fleming, Aim’s founder, chairman and CEO, wanted to rethink how the company looked at Aim Integrated Logistics, the division of Aim offering dedicated fleet services. Back then, that side of the business was running around 125 trucks and drivers. However, it was still looking for a bump in size and scope. That’s when Mr. Fleming tapped Dave to take on this division.

“I had always been impressed with Dave’s hard work and business acumen, and he was a take-charge guy,” said Tom Fleming when asked why he selected Dave to take on Aim’s Integrated Logistics division. “I wanted someone who would take ownership and grow that division, and Dave has shown he is that guy.”

Dave started by meeting with every customer. His goal was to solidify the foundation Aim had already built. Acting as an ambassador for the company, he wanted Aim customers to truly understand what the family-owned and -operated company is, what it means and what it stands for. In their eyes, he became Aim personified, and for those longtime customers who are still around, of which there are many, he’s still Aim to them.

Dave’s next mission? Growth. He worked within a mindset that growth perpetuates growth. He knew that once he and the division had a firmer footing by signing and extending long-term agreements with all current customers as well as growing by signing new business, he would have more opportunities to expand Aim’s capabilities, like recruiting high-level industry experts and, of course, attracting big-name customers. That approach shot Aim from a blip on the radar to a top 25 logistics company with more than 500 trucks and drivers delivering for customers nationwide.

Another major transformation came in the form of a name change. When Dave took reigns of the division, it was known as Aim Dedicated. Rebranding to Aim Integrated Logistics proved vital. It told people that Aim could do more than dedicated logistics. It told them Aim is an all-in-one, comprehensive transportation solution. This move as well as a focused sales strategy helped propel Aim Integrated Logistics from 12 customers in 2010 to today’s nearly 100.

“We really focused on the service and relationship side of what we do,” said Dave. “At the end of the day, anyone can sell you a truck—a truck is a truck—but it’s the totality of everything that goes into supporting the customer with their daily delivery process.”

“Outsourcing your transportation operation is probably one of the most intimate things anyone can do from a business standpoint,” he added. “They’re trusting you with not only handling the most important thing they do, their product or service, but they’re trusting you with the reputation of their business; for a lot of our customers’ customers, they interact more with our drivers than anyone else. We don’t take that lightly.”

When you boil Aim’s success down to its rawest ingredients, you get the individuals who make what the company does possible, individuals like Mr. Gurska. As Dave said, a truck is just a truck. It’s not until you inject that truck with exceptional service built on great relationships that the magic happens.

“The culture of the company—which prioritizes humility, honesty and people—is one of the major things I’ve taken from our owners the Flemings,” Dave said. “I’ve always tried to remain the same: a small-town guy asked to take on a national sales presence. I didn’t know how my show would travel, but I discovered people like to do business with people they like and feel they can trust.”

“My father once told me, ‘You only have so much time in the day, so why not make your customers your friends?’” Dave continued. “That, I’ve discovered, goes hand in hand with good business practice, and it’s still something I practice to this very day.”

Dave has been married to his wife, Gina, for more than 30 years. They have two kids and two grandchildren. In his free time, Dave likes to spend time with his family and friends and is an avid golfer.

“For three decades and running, Dave has exemplified his commitment to Aim’s core values—integrity, trust, commitment and accountability—and the company’s overall mission,” said Scott Fleming, Aim Co-President. “His willingness to go the extra mile, mentor others and share his wealth of knowledge shows in his leadership and passion for Aim’s success. Dave is not only an invaluable part of the Aim family but also a source of inspiration for everyone around him.”   

“Dave’s unwavering dedication, unyielding commitment and exemplary work ethic have set the bar for all of us,” said Aim Co-President Geoff Fleming. “We can’t thank Dave enough for what he’s done for our company over the last 30 years. He has been an indispensable pillar of Aim’s success, and his countless contributions have left an indelible mark on the company and so many individuals who have come through our doors.”

Dave has gone on to mentor many of Aim’s up-and-comers and the ripples of his success-driven mindset can be felt throughout the organization. As the company looks to the future, it does so with gratitude for Dave’s contributions and with the aspiration to emulate his exceptional work ethic and integrity.

Dave’s journey at Aim serves as both a reflection of his loyalty, perseverance, professional growth and downright likability as well as a reflection of the company’s belief and trust in the people who carry out the company mission day in and day out.