About Us

When we started ODS in 2010, we weren’t aiming to be the biggest, just the best. Sure, many companies say that, but they often get sidetracked along the way. We didn’t. We infused excellence into our DNA. We innovated. We sought out talented, skilled and experienced people who genuinely love what they do. We built our reputation, leadership position and North America’s largest pilot network one relationship and one successful load at a time. Years later, those key values continue to power our growth.

Every day, ODS helps specialized carriers to safely deliver challenging oversized shipments across the US and Canada. We help pilot car companies to boost their businesses. We make it easy for our customers to focus on doing what they do best. We create win-win-win scenarios all day long in an awesome, modern 3,200 sq ft office where we work with a team of great people. More than just proud of what we do, we have a lot of fun doing it.

At ODS, we’re old school values meets new world business. We leverage the latest technology in a culture of integrity. We keep our promises and never turn our customers or pilot car partners into numbers like revenue, miles or call order priority. Call us anytime and you’ll get a real person and the answers you need. Ask us for the most cost-effective way to move a load, and we’ll tell you straight up even if it doesn't benefit us. Why? Because we know that’s what it takes to be an authentic partner, to legitimately earn trust and to win long-term business. It’s just who we are. We honestly care. And you will experience that when you work with us.

In the uncertainty of the COVID-19 era, ODS gives you the certainty of working with an established leader. Recognizing that our transportation clients and pilot car partners are facing more severe financial constraints and operational pressures than ever before, ODS is fully capable, equipped and committed to helping you to "take a load off".

Keen Transport has been using ODS as our exclusive nationwide provider of pilot car services since 2011. ODS delivers consistently dependable results. Exceptional customer service. Professional and well-trained escorts. Timely communications and prompt, accurate billing. They also helped us to implement best practice procedures with our driver fleet. Whenever we need a route survey, a pole car or a rear escort anywhere in the country, we place our complete trust in ODS to get the job done.
Paul Ross, VP Operations

Meet the Team

Nick Ruscito-Caissy

President, CEO & Whip-Cracker

“RAIN MAN”: ODS founder and serial entrepreneur, Nick has been connecting pilot cars and specialized carriers since 2001. Along the way, he developed a bewildering ability to recall very specific details about roads throughout North America (think “human GPS” meets “weird party trick”). Pursuing excellence in every facet of business, Nick leads his troops from the front while always having their back. A certified Six Sigma Black Belt and well-rounded executive, he’s equally comfortable in the boardroom and when dropping f-bombs at a truck stop. Looking dapper in this photo, Nick always dresses this way when professional photographers come to the office to take pictures.

Elta Leakey

Business Controller & Nurturing Perfectionist

“RING MASTER”: As our longest serving employee, Elta helped build ODS from the ground up and was involved in everything from tuning the engine to detailing the chassis. As the oldest of four sisters, she’s no stranger to looking out for her family, which is probably why she’s such a valued resource to ours. Elta somehow manages to simultaneously be a business leader, wizard behind the curtain, motherly figure, meticulous organizer, champion of fairness, and the glue that binds our circus of excellence together. Elta’s creativity, artistic flair and aesthetic eye are in evidence all around our office (although we exiled all her favorite colored pink stuff to her workspace).

Jamey McFate

Dispatch, Operations & Very Likeable Dude

“POP QUIZ”: Not satisfied with just mastering the ins and outs of dispatch, Jamey is always asking questions about every other aspect of our industry and our business. There are times when it’s like constantly being asked “why” by a giant goateed toddler. But Jamey soaks up every detail and pours out customer value. Contrary to widespread speculation on the Internet, he was not forged in a lab by fusing a customer service prodigy and a sponge. Born at a very young age, Jamey honestly is a very likeable dude. On the likability scale, he’s right up there with pandas.

Stefano Pilozzi

Dispatch, Operations & Pit Bull

“NOSTRADAMUS”: Stefano’s trademark ability to predict possible doomsday scenarios and potential problems on every job is an amusing hobby, but the way that he proactively addresses potential issues before they can even occur is all business. And once he sinks his teeth into a project, he won’t let it go until the customer is satisfied. Often the first one in the office and the last to leave, Stefano makes a pretty compelling case for having a bed here. When it comes to his bathrobe and fuzzy slippers proposal however, we remain “open-minded” yet “uncomfortable”.

Micah Sookman

Dispatch, Operations & Pop Culture Junkie

“THE JEDI”: With more than a decade of experience in the pilot car universe, Micah was drawn into ODS’ rebel alliance by the prospect of using his considerable force for good. The line “I am your father” sums him up professionally and outside of the office where his lovely wife and two young kids demand the bulk of the attention he previously devoted to cool movies, music, sci-fi and whatever was trending. Micah is a family guy to his core and ODS is his second family. If you’re a carrier customer or escort vendor, he will consistently find ways to make you happy. And his force will be with you. Always.

Larry Van Yperen

Dispatch, Operations & Professional Imitator

"BIG APPLE": The attention-to-detail and professionalism that makes Larry a great customer service-oriented dispatcher is likely what compels him to always be the sharpest dressed guy in the ODS office… except when he wears his baseball jersey. When we first heard Larry screaming "let's go, Yankees" to rally his favorite team from a six-run deficit, the timing seemed odd because it was between innings and during his job interview. Larry has since refined his communication skills to the point where the different tones he uses to say “hmmmm” can either mean that he is fascinated, taking a moment to imagine how A-Rod would handle it, or completely disagreeing with you while an air raid siren goes off in his head. Believing that people should generally talk less when they have nothing intelligent to say, Larry expects a lot of silence from anyone who cheers for a team he doesn’t like. With a whacky sense of humour and a passion for spy novels, Larry is a genuinely kind person: he and his wife volunteer their time helping those with intellectual disabilities and we think that’s pretty cool.

Virginia Badolato

Billing, Administration & Perpetual Light Source

“SUNSHINE”: If 16+ years of experience in our industry is supposed to curb one’s enthusiasm, you wouldn’t know it from working with Virginia. She is ALWAYS happy (even before her sixth cup of coffee). We honestly still haven’t seen her upset and the smart money says that she’s probably smiling as you read this. When we finally figure out how to bottle Virginia’s inner joy, we plan on sending it to our customers along with a side order of her resourcefulness, professionalism and initiative. Until then, it’s business as usual: Virginia being positively busy, loving numbers and doing an awesome job with a can-do attitude.

Kirstie Doyle

Billing Agent & Future Novelist

“WRITESTUFF”: When we first met Kirstie, she said she thrived on being busy and loved getting things done right. That proved to be a great fit in a company that is always busy getting things done right. Kirstie leverages her years in retail to deliver the customer focus that is a signature part of the ODS experience. Combining the right stuff with a passion for writing, Kirstie is a closet author in her spare time. Rumor has it she is writing an epic novel about the adventures of a team of pilot car industry experts set in the early 1800s. Escort providers. Rugged carriers. The dawn of the Romantic era. Hot stuff.

Marie-Claude Hébert

Receptionist, Accounting/Billing Support Specialist & Disney Geek

“MC CRAFTY”: When Marie-Claude started as ODS’ receptionist, she often mixed up “good morning” and “good afternoon”, but she always got the “good” part right. If you’re having a bad day, she will usually make it her mission to get you laughing again. With a distinctive side shaved hairstyle, you might think MC has a wild side, but she is actually a cottage-loving nature enthusiast and a self-proclaimed geek who is borderline obsessed with everything Disney. To her credit, she is the one who convinced us that there is nothing wrong with knowing the names of each Disney princess, or dressing as a Disney character every Halloween (and on casual Fridays), or releasing a floating lantern after you watch “Tangled”. Before we met her, none of us even had any idea how important it is to always have an up-to-date strategy for navigating the four parks. And while we appreciate that Marie-Claude is all business when crunching numbers to support of our accounting and billing processes, we understand that her urge to sing “the lion sleeps tonight” is just a whim away, a whim away, a whim away.

Carlos

Top Dog & 10x "Employee of the Month" Winner

"SUBWOOFER": Exuding raw animal magnetism in his trademark band collar and dark suit, Carlos is not the type of employee you keep on a short leash. Whether in the office or near a fire hydrant, Carlos expertly takes care of business: barking out orders and relentlessly chasing down pilot cars, even when he's dog tired. Rarely biting off more than he can chew, Carlos always has a ball at work and rolls over for no one. With few pet peeves other than catty people, Carlos is a whole different animal: a loyal, best-in-show team player who walks the walk, works his tail off, happily takes a licking, and will gladly give you a leg up.