ATA Featured Member: Central Arizona Freight

Central Arizona Freight was envisioned by Chuck Riser in 1997 as a potential opportunity for transporting freight between Phoenix and Tucson. Riser, who has been involved in the trucking industry since his first job in 1978 with Roadway of Detroit, MI arrived upon the idea while working as a sales manager for USF Bestway. Riser hoped to develop a freight carrier business that would become a leader in providing quality and service throughout the state of Arizona. Chuck Riser has managed to do just that.

Central Arizona Freight opened its doors in January 1998 with two straight trucks, and a RV yard in Mesa as its place of business. Today, Central Arizona Freight has 46 tractors running throughout Arizona, with terminals located in Phoenix, Tucson and Kingman. It has also expanded to incorporate resident drivers throughout the state who deliver to the communities they were born and raised in. Central Arizona Freight also offers their customers service into and from California as well as service into and from twelve Midwest and Southern states ranging from Texas to Virginia.

The company operates as a general freight carrier whose customer base includes a number of small and large companies based in and outside Arizona. CAF is heavily involved in pool distributions for carriers that lack a physical presence in Arizona, bu t whose broad customer base needs consistent service to maintain. Central Arizona Freight’s message is simple: “Always protect the core customers that have helped us grow through the years.”

Central Arizona Freight joined the ATA in 2006 as a referral from Jeff Hale, former general manager of Xtra Lease. Joining ATA “…has proven to be a great experience, as everyone that I have met within ATA has been supportive and very helpful in all aspects of my business,” said Riser. “ATA has provided important industry information along with needed training for compliance with the ever-changing rules in the industry. I will find myself more involved with ATA in 2011.”

According to Riser, the future remains bright for Central Arizona Freight as the company continues to focus on all opportunities that are available in today’s unpredictable economy.