When Graig Morin co-founded Brown Dog Carriers, he started with just two trucks and a vision. Fast forward a few years, and his Maine-based fleet has swelled to 30 trucks crisscrossing New England. What fueled this rapid yet sustainable growth? According to Graig, the secret lies in leveraging connected fleet solutions, embracing AI-driven safety initiatives, and - most importantly - treating technology providers as strategic partners rather than just vendors. “When we got the big contract that doubled the size of our fleet, I said, ‘Oh boy, we have policies made for two trucks and two drivers, and now we’re going to have around 30 drivers. We need to adjust,’” recalls Graig, highlighting the moment he realized his old ways wouldn’t scale. In response, he turned to innovative fleet management solutions and collaborative partners to transform his operations.
Implementing a robust telematics platform was Graig’s first major step toward smarter fleet management. Brown Dog Carriers initially adopted Geotab mainly to meet ELD compliance requirements, but Graig soon discovered the breadth of data and insights it could offer beyond electronic logs. By digging into this data, he identified key areas to improve both safety and efficiency across his fleet. One of the quick wins was tackling excessive idling: Geotab’s reports made it easy to measure idle time for each vehicle and each driver, then share those insights with the team. Simply showing drivers how a small reduction in idling could save fuel paid off almost immediately – Brown Dog Carriers saved $600 in fuel in just two weeks after rolling out this initiative. This transparent, data-driven approach not only cut costs but also got drivers engaged in the company’s success.
Another telematics-driven improvement came through integrating smart dash cameras for safety. Working hand-in-hand with Assured Telematics, Graig equipped his trucks with AI-enabled Lytx dash cameras to proactively coach drivers and document incidents. The integration was seamless thanks to his collaboration with Assured Telematics, a trusted reseller of Geotab. The results were profound: the cameras reinforced safer driving practices and even helped exonerate a Brown Dog driver after a hit-and-run collision by providing clear evidence of what really happened. Incidents like that proved the worth of telematics data – it protects both the business and the drivers. “We were able to take a look at what the data was telling us. It was there in black and white,” as one fleet manager put it when telematics vindicated a driver in an investigation. Graig echoes that sentiment, appreciating how data builds trust and accountability across his team.
Today, telematics data flows into a single, easy-to-use platform that Graig and his managers rely on daily. They monitor driver behavior metrics (like speeding, hard braking, seatbelt use) and safety alerts across the entire fleet in real time. This consolidated view not only streamlines compliance reporting, it also gives Brown Dog Carriers confidence that as they continue to onboard new drivers and take on new customers, they’re maintaining the same high standards. In Graig’s eyes, telematics isn’t just about GPS tracking – it’s about actionable intelligence. The ability to spot a maintenance issue before it causes downtime, or to identify a risky habit and coach it immediately, has become indispensable to his operation. By embracing these tools, Brown Dog has made safety and efficiency two sides of the same coin: safer driving leads to less wear-and-tear and fewer accidents, while efficient habits like reduced idling translate to cost savings – all contributing to a healthier bottom line.
A big part of Graig Morin’s success has been getting buy-in from his drivers. Change can be challenging – telling veteran drivers to alter their routines, like cutting down idle time or keeping to speed limits, might have been met with resistance if handled poorly. Graig wisely chose a gamification strategy to encourage positive behavior rather than enforce it with a heavy hand. Each driver at Brown Dog Carriers gets to see a scorecard of their performance metrics, updated regularly from the telematics system. Idle time, fuel efficiency, safety compliance, and other factors are tracked and shared in a transparent way. This sparked a friendly competition among the team: drivers began comparing who had the lowest idle percentage or the highest safety score each week, motivating each other to do better.
The psychology behind this is simple but powerful. People love to compete and be recognized, so Graig tapped into that by turning safe, efficient driving into a kind of game. Telematics made it easy by automatically calculating scores and rankings. In the trucking industry, such gamification programs have proven to be highly effective – they tap into drivers’ innate competitiveness and reward them for behaviors like reducing idling time, maintaining safe speeds, and braking smoothly. At Brown Dog, this approach quickly paid dividends. Idling plummeted (as seen in that $600 fuel saving), on-time deliveries improved, and safety incidents dropped. Importantly, drivers didn’t feel policed; instead, they felt empowered to beat their own best scores and get kudos for it.
Some drivers even earned small rewards - a gift card here, a shout-out in the company newsletter there - for topping the leaderboard or making the most improvement in a month. The result is a fleet culture where drivers are actively engaged in performance improvement. They’re not just meeting standards because they have to; they’re exceeding them because they want to.
From the start, Graig approached technology adoption not as a simple vendor purchase, but as a long-term partnership. He often stresses the difference: a vendor might sell you a device or software and call it a day, but a strategic partner works alongside you to make sure that technology truly delivers value. In Assured Telematics and Transflo, Graig found partners who are just as invested in his fleet’s success as he is. Assured Telematics, for example, didn’t just provide a telematics box - they became an extension of Brown Dog’s team, guiding Graig through setup, training, customization and ongoing support. When Brown Dog needed a custom integration or had an urgent request, Assured Telematics jumped into action to solve it, treating Graig’s challenges like their own.
In one case, when Brown Dog introduced Assured Telematics to a non-profit organization in need, and Assured even donated their telematics services at no cost to help out – a testament to their above-and-beyond ethos. “My job is smoothing out the road on a pathway the customers can follow without issues,” says Dave Reeves, ATI’s VP of Customer Experience, underscoring how seriously the team takes customer success.
For Graig, having this kind of dedicated support has been crucial to scaling up. Instead of spending weeks figuring out which camera system or AI tool to implement next, he leans on his partners’ expertise. Assured Telematics has over a decade of experience providing comprehensive fleet solutions and helping fleets improve safety, optimize efficiency, and ensure compliance. That experience means Graig gets informed advice on what technologies will actually move the needle for his business. Transflo, likewise, brings its own set of strengths to the table.
This integrated approach saves time and reduces errors. More importantly, Graig views his partners not as outsiders pitching products, but as trusted advisors who have a stake in Brown Dog Carriers’ long-term growth. “It feels like having an expert pit crew for my business,” Graig jokes. They help tune the engines of his operation (sometimes literally), so he can focus on driving the company forward.
“It feels like having an expert pit crew for my business,” Graig jokes. They help tune the engines of his operation (sometimes literally), so he can focus on driving the company forward.
As Brown Dog Carriers continues to grow, Graig Morin is setting his sights on the next frontier of fleet management: artificial intelligence. He’s already seen the benefits of AI in action with the Lytx smart dash cams – their AI-powered features can detect distracted driving or tailgating and alert the driver in real time. But Graig knows that’s just the beginning. The future of fleet safety and efficiency will be increasingly driven by AI insights, and he wants to stay ahead of the curve. That’s where his partnership with Assured Telematics and Transflo really shines, as they keep him informed about emerging AI tools that could benefit his fleet.
One new solution on Graig’s radar is “ASK”, which embeds rich, customizable dashboards and analytics directly into Brown Dog’s Geotab interface, essentially acting as an AI co-pilot for fleet decisions. Instead of poring over raw data reports, Graig can get actionable insights at a glance – for example, which drivers might need extra coaching this week, or which routes are causing unusual fuel burn. The system’s predictive analytics and intuitive visuals turn complex data streams into clear action items, allowing Graig to react faster to trends and exceptions. “Real-time alerts and predictions are game-changers,” Graig notes. He’s interested in how AI can help with predictive maintenance, spotting patterns in engine data to fix issues before a breakdown, and smart routing. It’s not about adopting AI for the sake of it, it’s about solving real business challenges. Graig relies on his partners at ATI and Transflo to vet these high-tech solutions and ensure they align with Brown Dog’s needs. With their guidance, he’s piloting AI features in a thoughtful way — starting small, measuring impact, and scaling up what works.
Importantly, Graig remains people-centric even as he adds more AI to the mix. He sees technology as a tool to empower his team, not replace them. For instance, if an AI algorithm flags a safety issue, that’s an opportunity for a constructive coaching conversation with a driver, not an automatic reprimand. By maintaining this balanced approach, Graig is building a fleet operation where human experience and AI insights work hand-in-hand. This approach positions Brown Dog Carriers to punch above its weight; even as a mid-sized fleet, they can leverage cutting-edge tech to achieve safety and efficiency on par with much larger operators. In an industry where margins are thin and competition is fierce, those advantages make a real difference.
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Graig Morin also emphasizes that you can’t innovate in a vacuum. To keep his competitive edge, he makes a point of stepping out of day-to-day operations to learn from the wider industry. A great example is his involvement in events like Accelerate 2025, an annual fleet management event where thought leaders, tech partners, and fleet owners come together to share ideas. For Graig, attending such conferences is an eye-opening experience every time. It’s where he can see, touch, and demo the latest technologies, whether it’s an AI-powered driver coaching app, a new electric truck model, or an upcoming regulatory compliance tool.
While Brown Dog’s own fleet is diesel-based, Graig knows EVs and green initiatives are the next big wave. Hearing how a public works department in Washington, D.C., had already electrified 18% of its fleet gave him practical insights on planning for an electric future. By networking with peers and engaging with innovators at events like Geotab Connect and Accelerate, Graig ensures he’s never caught off guard by industry changes. Instead, he’s part of the early adopters – ready to turn the next trend into a competitive advantage for his fleet.
Graig’s journey from a two-truck operation to a 30-truck regional carrier is a case study in visionary fleet management. It shows that even smaller fleets can achieve big results by embracing technology and building strong partnerships. Rather than sticking to old habits, Graig invested in telematics and saw immediate improvements in safety and cost savings. Rather than treating his tech providers as mere suppliers, he brought them into his inner circle – leveraging their expertise to implement AI-driven cameras, analytics dashboards, and more. And rather than managing his drivers through mandates, he inspired them through gamification and transparency, creating a culture where everyone strives for improvement. Each of these choices has compounded to drive Brown Dog’s success.
As Graig continues to innovate, he sets an example for fleet owners everywhere: when you pair cutting-edge tools with a collaborative mindset, no fleet is too small to make big strides. The road ahead for Brown Dog Carriers is bright, with AI analytics on the dashboard, a supportive network of partners on call, and a team of motivated drivers behind the wheel, Graig is confident in taking on larger contracts and new challenges.
Ready to transform your fleet’s performance? Take a page from Graig Morin’s playbook and partner with experts who understand your goals. Contact Assured Telematics to learn more about fleet optimization solutions.
In Graig’s eyes, telematics isn’t just about GPS tracking – it’s about actionable intelligence. The ability to spot a maintenance issue before it causes downtime, or to identify a risky habit and coach it immediately, has become indispensable to his operation. By embracing these tools, Brown Dog has made safety and efficiency two sides of the same coin: safer driving leads to less wear-and-tear and fewer accidents, while efficient habits like reduced idling translate to cost savings – all contributing to a healthier bottom line.
