Business Alum, Bert Trucksess, Provides Research Grant

Lehigh Business alumni Bert Trucksess '71 (pictured), has provided a $25,000 grant to fund research projects in the college. Trucksess has been a member of the Center for Supply Chain Research at Lehigh, since 2018. He graduated in 1971 with a Bachelor of Science degree in business and economics with highest honors and Phi Beta Kappa recognition.

"During my 49 years of corporate life, I often reflected on the value of my education at Lehigh," says Trucksess. "The broad-based business and economics curriculum not only provided a foundation in business fundamentals, but also enhanced my critical thinking, problem solving and interpersonal communication skills. I now welcome the opportunity to give back. In that regard, I believe in the value of academic research and appreciate the opportunity to make a future impact by funding research projects focused on supply chain, economics, or broader business school disciplines."

Trucksess retired in April 2020 as chairman of Saia Inc., one of the nation’s leading trucking carriers with more than 9,500 employees. He was chairman and CEO of Saia and its predecessor, SCS Transportation, from 2000-2006, and then chairman to 2019. He started his career in the energy business, working for 13 years with Sun Company. Perhaps destined by his last name, Trucksess spent the next 36 years in the trucking industry.