Daryl Ee began his transportation industry career as a delivery driver for his family’s business at the age of 17. Learning logistics by starting at the bottom and working his way up, he later moved into various roles including dispatch, operations, sales and management.
Ee has been president and CEO of Burnaby-based Speedee Transport, 18 Wheels Distribution and Rolls Right Industries since 1998, and has successfully funded, started and acquired various businesses in recent years.
“I love growth,” Ee said. “If I could pick one area of growth I am most passionate about, it would be fostering people to grow and develop themselves.”
The 35-year-old entrepreneur, who specializes in strategic planning and business development, earned his MBA at Trinity Western University in 2016, after studying strategic management, organizational behaviour and relationship selling at the British Columbia Institute of Technology.
Ee attributes his success to finding the right people to drive creative ways of improving the lives and businesses of those connected with the company.
His commitment to reducing unnecessary transportation, maintaining on-time delivery, fostering excellent customer service and solving problems earned Speedee the title of Coca-Cola Refreshments Canada’s Transportation Carrier of the Year in 2016.
An innovative leader and creative thinker, Ee is known for motivating people around him to turn ideas into reality.
Along with his team of full-time software engineers, Ee developed customizable software called Speedeego. The software, launched in 2016, helps the company and its customers collaborate, maintain real-time visibility, reduce costs, manage volatility and automate processes across the logistics chain.
Ee was inspired by his father and mentor, Eric Ee, who immigrated to Canada from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in the 1970s with less than $100, and started the company in 1976.
“He always taught me to help others and what strong, hard-working ethics really meant.”
Birthplace: Vancouver
Where you live now: Vancouver
Highest level of education: MBA, Trinity Western University
Currently reading: American Icon: Alan Mulally and the Fight to Save Ford Motor Company by Bryce G. Hoffman
Currently listening to: “Fortunate Son,” Creedence Clearwater Revival
When you were a kid, what you wanted to be when you grew up: Ever since the first time I stepped into our family’s trucking operation, I was hooked. I knew from that moment forward that, if provided the opportunity, I would work as hard as I could to move up in the company to hopefully one day take over the reins
Profession you would most like to try: Formula One race car driver
Toughest business or professional decision: In 2009 when we went through an economic downturn and a port strike at the same time, we made a business decision to not lay off one driver during this time, which did put a heavy weight on our shoulders personally, but it was well worth it looking at the long term
Advice you would give the younger you: Seek mentorship early. No matter how many books you can read, courses you can take, schooling you can go through, nothing compares to having good mentors in life
What’s left to do: To build our company to be the leader of logistics solutions on all planets in the universe
Join us to celebrate the 2017 Forty under 40 Awards on January 23, 2018, at the Vancouver Convention Centre. For tickets and event info visit http://www.biv.com/events/40under40
