Infinite Sights / Community
Community

Garrett Peck on Calm Supply Chain Leadership in Illinois

When you first meet Garrett Peck, you don’t get flashy stories or corporate jargon. You get calm clarity, thoughtful reflection, and a sense that this is someone who genuinely knows how to keep things moving—both on the ground and in life.

Now the Director of Supply Chain Operations at Dynamic Freight Solutions in Plainfield, Illinois, Garrett has spent nearly two decades fine-tuning logistics systems, mentoring others, and staying grounded in his values. His journey is steady and practical—a great example of what it looks like to lead with purpose in both work and community.

Early Lessons in Pennsylvania

Garrett grew up just outside Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. His dad was a high school teacher and football coach. His mom was a pediatric nurse.

“We didn’t talk about ‘leadership’ in our house,” he says. “We just showed up where we were needed. That stuck with me.”

He attended Cumberland Valley High School, where he played varsity basketball and served on student council. That early mix of discipline, teamwork, and responsibility laid a foundation he still relies on.

“I wasn’t the star player,” Garrett adds. “But I was dependable. People counted on me to be consistent. That’s where I started learning how to lead.”

Garrett studied Business Administration at Penn State University from 2001 to 2005. He chose a concentration in supply chain and operations because, as he puts it, “I liked knowing how things got from A to B—and how to make that process smoother.”

While at school, he joined the Business Leadership Club and volunteered in youth mentorship programs. He also worked part-time in a distribution center.

“That job was unglamorous,” he says. “But it taught me to respect every part of the chain. It’s all connected.”

Starting His Career in Harrisburg

Garrett began his career at Martin Logistics in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. His title was Logistics Coordinator.

“I was in the weeds,” he recalls. “Routing shipments, tracking delays, answering calls at 2 a.m. I learned how messy supply chains can get—and how important it is to have a calm, structured approach.”

That hands-on experience paid off. In 2008, Garrett moved to Illinois to join ProTrans International as a Transportation Analyst. There, he spent seven years deepening his technical skills, managing cross-functional teams, and designing better systems.

Leadership at Dynamic Freight Solutions

In 2015, Garrett stepped into a leadership role at Dynamic Freight Solutions in Plainfield. Today, he manages supply chain operations with a focus on efficiency, vendor relationships, and long-term process improvements.

“I don’t believe in reinventing the wheel every quarter,” he says. “I believe in refining it.”

He holds a Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) credential from APICS and a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt—tools that help him identify and fix waste in complex systems.

But Garrett is quick to point out that systems are only as good as the people behind them.

“You have to build trust with your team,” he says. “That means listening. That means showing up. That means owning mistakes.”

Family and Community Roots in Plainfield

Outside of work, Garrett’s world revolves around his family. He’s been married to his wife Emily, a local art teacher, for over a decade. They have two kids, Logan and Maya, who keep him active on weekends with sports, bike rides, and backyard science projects.

“I block time on my calendar just to be with them,” he says. “That’s non-negotiable.”

He’s also a committed member of the Plainfield community. Garrett serves on the board of the local Chamber of Commerce, volunteers with food banks, and coaches youth basketball.

“Kids learn by example,” he says. “If they see adults who care, who show up, who play fair—they absorb that.”

Staying Grounded and Moving Forward

Garrett is clear about his priorities: stability, service, and growth—not just for himself, but for his team and community.

He recently launched a personal blog to share insights on leadership, balance, and fitness—topics he feels are often oversimplified online.

“I don’t have some big life hack,” he says. “But I’ve learned a few things by paying attention and putting in the reps.”

For example, he talks about the importance of flexible routines over rigid schedules.

“Fitness for me is biking on Saturday mornings and a quick HIIT workout during the week,” Garrett says. “You don’t need to live at the gym. You just need to move.”

He also shares strategies on work-life integration, such as using commute time for reflection and scheduling 20-minute buffer blocks between meetings.

“Those pauses give me space to think,” he says. “That’s when the good ideas happen.”

Garrett Peck’s story isn’t about speed or flash. It’s about motion with meaning. From warehouse floors in college to boardrooms in Illinois, he has stayed true to a simple code: be steady, be useful, and be present.

“Everything I’ve built comes from showing up consistently,” he says. “That’s how systems improve. That’s how teams grow. That’s how communities get stronger.”

It’s a lesson worth remembering. Not every journey has to be loud to be impactful. Some, like Garrett’s, just move forward—one thoughtful step at a time.

Interview with Garrett Peck

What first drew you to the field of supply chain management?

I’ve always liked understanding how things work behind the scenes. At Penn State, I realized supply chain was the engine room of any business. It wasn’t about flash—it was about getting things where they needed to be, on time and with care. That quiet impact appealed to me.

What’s one lesson you learned early in your career that still sticks with you today?

Don’t panic. When I was just starting out, things would go wrong—delays, miscommunication, late trucks. I saw managers who lost their cool and made things worse. I decided early on that staying calm was part of the job. People look to you for steadiness.

How do you approach leadership within your team at Dynamic Freight Solutions?

I lead by listening and asking questions. I don’t assume I have all the answers. The people closest to the problem usually do. My job is to give them space, support, and clear direction. And I own my mistakes, which encourages others to do the same.

How do you balance your work with family and personal life?

I treat personal time the same way I treat meetings—I block it out and protect it. I’d rather be fully present for dinner with my family than distracted and checking emails. That’s not always easy, but it’s worth it.

What advice would you give to young professionals just starting out?

Don’t rush. Focus on being reliable, curious, and coachable. The rest will come. Also, find people who challenge you to be better. And return the favor when you can.

What motivates you to stay involved in your community?

It’s how I was raised. My parents were always volunteering or helping neighbors. Now I get to pass that on—to my kids, to the young people I coach, and to anyone else who might benefit from someone just showing up. It doesn’t take much to make a difference.

← Previous
Michael Bloom
Next →
Shawn Blankenship