--- title: "From Data to Decisions: Eric Starks on the Heart and History of FTR" description: Eric Starks discusses the evolution of FTR’s Freight•cast™ model, leadership, and the importance of unbiased, data-driven market intelligence in the transportation industry. image: https://today.ftrintel.com/hubfs/social%20images/Blog%20images/Videos/Eric%20Starks/Meet%20Eric.png --- ![](https://today.ftrintel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/social%20images/Blog%20images/Videos/Eric%20Starks/Meet%20Eric.png?width=1600&height=500&name=Meet%20Eric.png) forecasting freightcast Collect # From Data to Decisions: Eric Starks on the Heart and History of FTR ![Jonathan Starks, CEO](https://today.ftrintel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Staff%20Photos/Square/Jon%20Starks_cropped_2024.png?width=48&height=48&name=Jon%20Starks_cropped_2024.png) Jonathan Starks, CEO April 25, 2025 From Data to Decisions: Eric Starks on the Heart and History of FTR 2:26 ![Eric Starks_cropped](https://today.ftrintel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Marketing%20Collateral/FTR%20Headshots%20and%20Bios/Headshots/Cropped/Eric%20Starks_cropped.png?width=273&height=273&name=Eric%20Starks_cropped.png) In this candid and insightful interview, FTR's CEO Jonathan Starks sits down with longtime transportation expert and FTR Chairman Eric Starks for a behind-the-scenes look at the origins, evolution, and future of FTR’s market intelligence. Eric shares the story of how he stumbled into the industry, helped shape FTR’s now widely respected Freight•cast™ forecasting model, and how the company has navigated decades of disruption by staying committed to unbiased, data-driven insights. From building credibility in an unknown market to embracing AI as a strategic tool—not a silver bullet—Eric offers reflections on leadership, risk-taking, and the ongoing responsibility of being a trusted voice in a volatile transportation landscape. ### Watch the complete interview here: ### Session Highlights: (click on any session to view that video highlight) - [How did you get started in transportation?](https://today.ftrintel.com/hubfs/social%20images/Blog%20images/Videos/Eric%20Starks/1-24%20Eric-%20How%20did%20you%20get%20started%20in%20transportation.mp4)  - [How did FTR begin?](https://today.ftrintel.com/hubfs/social%20images/Blog%20images/Videos/Eric%20Starks/1-24%20Eric-How%20did%20FTR%20Begin.mp4) - [What does it mean to try to break into a brand new market like transportation for a small, relatively unknown company?](https://today.ftrintel.com/hubfs/social%20images/Blog%20images/Videos/Eric%20Starks/1-24%20Eric-%20Breaking%20into%20a%20new%20market%20as%20an%20unknown%20company.mp4) - [How has the principle of being an unbiased source of information evolved as you've worked with FTR?](https://today.ftrintel.com/hubfs/social%20images/Blog%20images/Videos/Eric%20Starks/1-24%20Eric-%20Unbiased%20source%20of%20information.mp4) - [What is your day to day focus in your current role at FTR?](https://today.ftrintel.com/hubfs/social%20images/Blog%20images/Videos/Eric%20Starks/1-24%20Eric-%20Day%20to%20Day%20Focus.mp4) - [What to you view as the advantage of FTR?](https://today.ftrintel.com/hubfs/social%20images/Blog%20images/Videos/Eric%20Starks/1-24%20Eric-%20Whats%20the%20advantage%20of%20FTR.mp4) - [What are other thoughts you can share about the industry, the market, or FTR?](https://today.ftrintel.com/hubfs/social%20images/Blog%20images/Videos/Eric%20Starks/1-24%20Eric-%20Final%20thoughts.mp4) ### Thank You for Watching As the conversation wraps up, one thing is clear—FTR’s commitment to integrity, curiosity, and clarity has been the steady force behind its success. Eric’s journey is not just a personal story of growth but a reflection of FTR’s larger mission: to help organizations make better, more confident decisions through market intelligence that is transparent, unbiased, and rooted in experience. As the industry continues to evolve—with new technologies, shifting economic conditions, and increasing complexity—FTR remains focused on the fundamentals: listen carefully, analyze rigorously, and always tell the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable. Because in a world full of noise, that’s what truly adds value. Want to learn more about Eric and read his full bio visit:  [Meet the Expert - Eric Starks](https://www.ftrintel.com/eric-starks/business-card) --- Did you miss any of our [Industry Connections Blogs](https://www.ftrintel.com/industry-collections-all)?  You can find them [here.](https://www.ftrintel.com/industry-collections-all) --- Be sure to follow our channels for more expert interviews, and don’t hesitate to reach out with questions or insights of your own. Let’s continue the conversation. [![FTR_Ready-to-elevate-your-strategy_1-1_Eric-1](https://content.ftrintel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Marketing%20Collateral/Speaking%20Events%20-External/Social%20Media%20Graphics/FTR_Ready-to-elevate-your-strategy_1-1_Eric-1.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=FTR_Ready-to-elevate-your-strategy_1-1_Eric-1.png) ](https://www.ftrintel.com/eric-starks/business-card) Want to learn how to hire Eric?  Click on his picture! [![FTR blog_subscriptions_FTR subscriptions generic](https://content.ftrintel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/social%20images/Blog%20images/2025/FTR%20blog_subscriptions_FTR%20subscriptions%20generic.jpg?width=1200&length=1200&name=FTR%20blog_subscriptions_FTR%20subscriptions%20generic.jpg) ](https://www.ftrintel.com/subscriptions-catalog-clients) Want to see how FTR can help? Check out our subscription services and download a sample report. [![2025 FTR Conference_1-1 promo graphics_Lock in Early Bird Rate](https://content.ftrintel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2025%20Conference/Social/2025%20FTR%20Conference_1-1%20promo%20graphics_Lock%20in%20Early%20Bird%20Rate.jpg?width=1200&length=1200&name=2025%20FTR%20Conference_1-1%20promo%20graphics_Lock%20in%20Early%20Bird%20Rate.jpg) ](https://www.ftrconference.com/home) Join us in Indianapolis Sept 8-11, 2025 for the 21st Annual FTR Transportation Conference.  Early Bird rates availble now until May 31st.   ## Share this post [mailto:https%3A%2F%2Ftoday.ftrintel.com%2Findustry-connections-eric-starks](mailto:https%3A%2F%2Ftoday.ftrintel.com%2Findustry-connections-eric-starks) ## Keep reading [![](https://today.ftrintel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Marketing%20Collateral/Blogs/Blog%20images/2026/July/_Class%208%20July%202026%20blog.png?width=1600&height=500&name=_Class%208%20July%202026%20blog.png) class 8 trucks forecasting ### Class 8 Orders Surge Again as Industry Nears 2026 Production Capacity ](https://today.ftrintel.com/class-8-july-2026) [![](https://today.ftrintel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Marketing%20Collateral/Blogs/Blog%20images/2026/June/_RMU%20June%2026%202026%20blog.png?width=1600&height=500&name=_RMU%20June%2026%202026%20blog.png) intermodal carload Rail ### Rail Traffic Holds Steady While Intermodal Extends Its Winning Streak ](https://today.ftrintel.com/rmu-june-26-2026) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Jonathan Starks, CEO", "url" : "https://today.ftrintel.com/author/jonathan-starks" }, "dateModified" : "2025-07-07T18:14:09.024Z", "datePublished" : "2025-04-25T13:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "From Data to Decisions: Eric Starks on the Heart and History of FTR", "image" : [ "https://today.ftrintel.com/hubfs/social%20images/Blog%20images/Videos/Eric%20Starks/Meet%20Eric.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://today.ftrintel.com/industry-connections-eric-starks", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://today.ftrintel.com/hubfs/FTR%20Logos%20and%20Icons/FTR_Logo_Primary_FullColor.png" }, "name" : "FTR | Transportation Intelligence" } } ```