June 9 11:00am-12:00pm
The Economic Outlook
What It Means for Transportation and Logistics in 2026
The Economic Panel returns to ELEVATE with Dean Croke, Lee Klaskow, and Lindsey Bur, to share timely perspectives on the economic factors influencing transportation and logistics.
This session will explore current market conditions, key economic indicators, and the signals shaping freight demand, capacity, and industry decision-making.
Designed to provide context, the panel offers practical insight to help sales, marketing, and executive leaders better understand the environment they’re operating in.
Meet the Panelists
- Dean Croke
- Lee Klaskow
- Lindsay Bur

Dean Croke
Principal Analyst
DAT Solutions
Prior to joining DAT, Dean was Chief Insight Officer at FreightWaves where he led the freight market intelligence team of Market Experts. Prior to that he was Vice President of Data Products at Spireon where he helped develop new telematics data products in the trucking, passenger automotive and insurance markets. Dean also ran Lancer’s long-haul truck insurance business after spending many years as Vice President of Omnitracs Analytics (formerly Qualcomm) where he developed Data Science technologies including machine learning, complex business rules engines and data analytics for transportation companies.
Croke was one of the original founders of Atlanta-based FleetRisk Advisors (purchased by Qualcomm and now called now Omnitracs Analytics) and has 35 years of experience in data analytics, transportation, supply chain management, mining and insurance risk management. Originally from a family-owned and operated trucking business in Australia, Dean is still actively involved in the trucking business and having completed nearly 2 million miles in Australia as a long-distance truck driver, Croke also owns a 379 Peterbilt show truck known as “The Grumpy Pete” and still holds a U.S. Commercial Driver License(CDL) making him uniquely experienced in the field of data science, supply chain management, risk management and human performance.
Prior to FleetRisk Advisors Croke worked at Lancer Insurance in New York City in 2003 where he developed the widely acclaimed “Risk Never Sleeps” sleep management program for commercial drivers” – a unique approach to managing sleep as opposed to fatigue. Croke has held a number of senior positions at Boston-based Circadian Technologies Inc., global insurer Allianz, regional insurer OAMPS, and was also General Manager of the Australian Trucking Association (ATA) where he played a key role in the development of the TruckSafe and Fatigue Management Program – both alternative compliance programs which have been evidenced in the FMCSA’s recent “Beyond Compliance” initiative.
Lee Klaskow
Senior Analyst
Bloomberg Intelligence
Lee A. Klaskow is a senior global transportation & logistics analyst and sector head for Bloomberg Intelligence, a division of Bloomberg LP.
Lee has been analyzing the freight markets for decision-makers since 2006. His current coverage spans global marine shipping, air freight, and logistics sectors as well as the North American trucking and railroad industries. In addition to his industry work, Lee provides coverage for 21 freight transportation and logistics companies. He is focused on providing differentiated research through channel checks and collaborating with colleagues in adjacent industries.
Lee is the host and founder of Bloomberg Intelligence’s Talking Transports podcast, which features forward-thinking conversations with executives, analysts, regulators, and entrepreneurs that are shaping the future of the freight transportation industry. The focus will be on trucking, railroads, ocean and air freight markets, and everything in between. He is an articulate public speaker and frequent contributor on Bloomberg television and radio as well as other media outlets. He also speaks at industry conferences as well as company and academic events.
Prior to joining Bloomberg, he was a senior analyst at Longbow Research and Prudential Equity Group, where he covered freight transportation and logistics companies. Lee was ranked four stars by StarMine for EPS accuracy and recommendation performance prior to joining Bloomberg.
He has also worked at Prudential Equity Group as an industrial associate prior to being promoted to senior analyst. He helped originate and execute global equity transactions for both ABN Amro Rothschild and J.P. Morgan. Lee began his career at McCarthy, Crisanti & Maffei analyzing and reporting on the primary equity markets.
In addition to his role as an analyst, Lee is Bloomberg Intelligence’s team leader focused on analyst franchise building. Previously managed groups across a broad coverage universe including transports, consumers, basic materials, health care, and financials.
He earned his bachelor of science degree in finance and management from Ithaca College, and his master’s in business from Fordham University.
Lindsay Bur
Director of Data Science & Economics
American Trucking Associations
Lindsay Bur is the Director of Data Science and Economics at the American Trucking Associations, reporting directly to the Chief Economist. Lindsay leads the publication of numerous economic reports, stewards the collection and analysis of economic data, and brings ATA's perspective and forecasts for the freight economy to audiences across the country.
Lindsay also serves as a member on the American Transportation Research Institute's research advisory committee. She is a graduate of the University of Virginia with a bachelor’s in economics and the University of Maryland with a master’s in applied economics.
