Donna Welchel

In 1983, Donna Welchel started her career in the trucking Industry with Lumber Transport. At that time, trucking was not yet Industry friendly to women but she quickly overcame that challenge rising from a rate clerk to a dispatcher then a terminal manager.

Donna founded Flatbed Connections in 1987 as a full agency for Great American Lines. Flatbed Connections quickly became known as one of the most successful woman-owned agencies in trucking and has since grown to be considered one of the most consistently successful operations Industry-wide.

One reason for our quick growth is attributed to a strong competency with transportation technology. Even before the Industry had fully recognized the importance of technology, Donna personally designed and programmed a dispatch system to manage her business. That system and Donna's thought leadership provided great influence in the architecture of a commercial system that many still consider the most user-friendly transportation system ever built.

In the early 2000s, the demand for Flatbed Connection's level of service had grown to where it could no longer be served by one trucking partner. We then carefully chose a group of trucking partners with complementary strengths to offer a comprehensive coverage of flatbed services. Click Partners to learn more about these companies.

Holly Johnston

Holly started in trucking when she was 15 years old working part-time at her grandparents company doing filing and log maintenance. She later focused on dispatching, driver payroll and other trucking-related accounting duties. In 2005, Holly started with Flatbed Connections as a dispatcher. Her duties now include accounts payable, human resources, and various other administrative tasks while still serving as the primary freight coordinator for the S.GA / FL area.

Haley Hopkins

Haley started with Flatbed Connections as an assistant dispatcher reporting to Donna, shortly after she graduated from the University of Georgia in 2010. Haley is now the Logistics Coordinator for the Carolinas and East Coast. She also helps daily in the Atlanta area to make sure everything is complete. She’s responsible for all FBC research and market analysis for the trucking industry and is our primary driver recruiter.

Nicole Bryant

Nicole started in March of 2015. She has many years of experience in manufacturing and distribution. She works side by side with Donna in the Atlanta area. She brings a different perspective to our dispatch agency. Her customer service skills are very impressive and help keep things running smooth on a daily basis.

Korisha Curtis

Korisha started with the company in June of 2014. She currently handles outbound freight from South Georgia and Florida. Korisha likes to stay busy and hasn’t met a challenge yet that she couldn’t handle. She does an excellent job keeping our drivers loaded.

Olivia Roberts

Olivia has been with the company since March of 2019. She is new to the trucking business, with a background in Construction and managing projects. She works hand in hand with Nicole handling the Atlanta area. Olivia has intense attention to detail and has proven herself to be invaluable in coordinating and tracking drivers and shipments.

Jesse Payne

Jesse joined our team in June 2023 after working in Material Management and Logistics Supervision. He is currently assisting Donna with all things Midwest, including Tennessee and Alabama. Jesse is a well-rounded individual with the qualities necessary to excel in his position and handle his responsibilities efficiently on a daily basis. We appreciate your support and encouragement as he works with us. Please pray for him as he is THE ONLY MALE in our office.

Kimberly Cox

Kimberly has been with Flatbed Connections since May 2022. She works closely with Haley as a logistics coordinator for the Carolinas and the East Coast. She loves to stay busy and is eager to learn. Kimberly’s bubbly personality and willingness to help make her and invaluable member of the Flatbed Connections team.