About Us

Your Chassis Partner of Choice

WHO

DCLI is the largest provider of marine and domestic container chassis to the U.S. Intermodal Industry.

Who We Are

 

Our primary objective is to be your chassis partner of choice and deliver a great trucker experience. We strive to achieve this goal with a focus on safety and sustainability and a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

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WHat we do

 

In 2009, we pioneered the exit of ocean carriers from the chassis business serving ocean carriers, motor carriers, beneficial cargo owners, and domestic shippers. Today, with over 500 locations on or near key port facilities and intermodal hubs throughout the U.S., we now own or manage more than 270,000 marine and domestic chassis and are the largest intermodal equipment provider in the industry.

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Our Core Values

We are committed to upholding these six Core Values in all of our business practices:

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We are committed to tailoring business solutions and delivering service excellence that exceed customers’ expectations.

Two terminal workers in front of stacked shipping containers shaking hands

We treat all people with respect, listen to, help, and encourage each other, fostering a culture of trust.

Two DCLI employees looking at laptop in office

We are inclusive and work together to leverage each other’s diverse skill sets, understanding that through teamwork, we accomplish more than we can individually.

Business woman smiling standing in front of two male workers looking at a clipboard

We are honest in all matters, choosing what is right above all else.

Two students helping to build a house

We are committed to the well-being of the communities we serve, and contribute to the cause through our individual and company resources.

Trucker checking a DCLI chassis

We share a personal and professional commitment to protecting the safety and health of our employees, and ensuring that our equipment meets the highest safety standards.

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History
Overview
Close up of DCLI logo on container chassis

64,000+ chassis

  • Incorporated as Direct ChassisLink, Inc. to serve three primary Ocean Carrier customers

  • Established the first daily-rental model in New Jersey

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80,000+ chassis

  • Acquired by LittleJohn & Co. – the first of several private equity owners
  • Expanded the daily rental chassis pool model to other markets around the country
  • Joined CCM and became the GACP pool manager in the Pacific Southwest region
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117,000+ chassis

  • Acquired Specialty Chassis fleet from Penn Leasing
  • Began investments in fleet enhancements including radial tires and LED lights
  • Purchased REZ-1, now Blume Global
  • Created the Pool of Pools in LA/LB
DCLP Chassis 940x590

136,000+ chassis

  • Acquired by EQT Partners
  • Launched Genset pool pilot
  • Established several off-dock chassis pools across the country
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230,000+ chassis

  • Acquired by Apollo Funds
  • Purchased Domestic chassis fleet from TRAC Intermodal
  • Became the world’s largest chassis leasing and pool operating company
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243,000+ chassis

  • Invested $85M in chassis refurbishment program and fleet enhancements
  • Expanded customer service, account management, and road service practices to improve the trucker experience
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260,000+ chassis

  • Acquired by GIC, OMERS Infrastructure, and Wren House
  • Invested $1B in chassis fleet additions and enhancements to meet customer demand and improve supply chain fluidity
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2022
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A History of Growth

 

Since 2009, DCLI has generated consistent growth through expansion, acquisition, and innovation. We pioneered the exit of ocean carriers from the chassis business and today are the largest provider of marine and domestic chassis to the intermodal industry with over 500 locations on or near key port facilities and intermodal hubs throughout the U.S.

Investing in a Great Trucker Experience HP Image

Investing in a Great Trucker Experience

 

We have invested more than $2B in our chassis fleet through programs like radial tire and LED light conversion and chassis refurbishment. These investments have kept our marine and domestic chassis operating above and beyond industry quality standards.

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Your Success Is Our Priority

 

Every day, we are listening, strategizing, and adjusting how we operate to ensure that we deliver a great driver experience. From improving our road service delivery to establishing new off-terminal chassis start/stops, we do all this to ensure that DCLI is your chassis partner of choice.

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Meet Our Executives

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Lee Newitt

Chief Executive Officer

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Lee became CEO at DCLI in January 2024 after having served as President since November 2019. He joined the company as VP of Finance in 2013 and played a key role in establishing business processes and building out the Finance organization following the carve out from Maersk. Lee was promoted to SVP, Chief Financial Officer in 2017 and in that role was at the center of DCLI’s acquisition of TRAC Intermodal’s domestic chassis business. He has been a member of the team engineering each successful sale of the company: from Littlejohn to EQT to Apollo to the current owners. Prior to joining DCLI, Lee spent ten years with one of the largest telecoms in the U.S., FairPoint Communications, where he held various roles in finance and strategy and helped grow that company from $200 million to over $1 billion in revenue.

Ryan Houfek

EVP and Chief Commercial Officer

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Ryan joined DCLI in September 2016 to lead the sales and marketing teams. In his role, he is instrumental in driving the high-growth ambitions of DCLI as well as developing and implementing new strategies in the fast-changing chassis landscape. Prior to joining DCLI, Ryan spent nine years with CSX Transportation’s intermodal division in various leadership roles in sales, marketing, yield management, customer service, commercial technology, and interline relations. Ryan was introduced to international transportation when he joined CMA CGM in 2005 where, as Director of Procurement, he was responsible for all rail, drayage, and barge contracting and cost management. Before joining CMA CGM, he held various roles in sales and marketing at Norfolk Southern, most notably playing a key role in developing the EMP rail container program.

Mike Wells

EVP and Chief Operating Officer

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Mike Wells became COO in January 2024 after leading DCLI’s Operations team for five years as SVP of Operations. In his role, Mike oversees the operating strategy for the firm’s marine and domestic chassis fleets . Mike’s career in the transportation industry spans more than 25 years. Prior to joining DCLI, he held various logistics operations positions at Cardinal Logistics Management, starting with the firm as a project manager and working his way up  as a regional operations manager and then as VP, SVP and ultimately as a member of its senior leadership team as EVP responsible for more that 200 operating locations. At DCLI, Mike and his team have responsibility for the company’s relationships with railroads, ocean carriers, marine terminals, shippers, motor carriers, and other stakeholder groups to forecast demand and reposition assets across the network to support its customers.

Matt Stiff

SVP and Chief Financial Officer

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Matt joined DCLI in 2013 as Finance Manager and has since advanced his career with the company, currently leading the Finance organization with his promotion to CFO in 2023. He has played a crucial role in scaling the company’s operations, significantly expanding its chassis fleet through a strategic investment of over $2 billion. With over a decade in the intermodal industry, Matt’s expertise in data-driven financial strategies has been instrumental in navigating the company through diverse economic cycles, consistently enhancing profitability and shareholder value. His keen focus on strategic planning and corporate development have been pivotal in DCLI’s growth and market positioning. Before joining DCLI, Matt worked in the telecom industry where he led teams focused on budgeting, forecasting, external reporting, and cash management.

Nagesh Galivity

Chief Information Officer

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Nagesh joined DCLI in January 2020 and leads the information technology teams. In this role, he is responsible for acquiring, implementing, and operating information technology systems and services to support the high-growth ambitions of DCLI. Nagesh has over 20 years of experience in information technology and prides himself on building strong partnerships within the organization to deliver solutions that support the business and its strategic objectives. Prior to DCLI, Nagesh held positions at Sealed Air as Global VP of IT, Digital Solutions, and Business Relationship Management and various IT leadership roles worldwide for Estee Lauder, ADP, and Deloitte.

Mike O’Malley

Senior Vice President, Government and Public Relations and Human Resources

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Mike joined DCLI in August 2020 to head up the company’s government and public relations efforts as DCLI’s point person for external stakeholders such as regulators, legislators, trade groups, and the media. He added human resources to his responsibilities in 2022. Mike’s career includes experience in the railroad industry, federal and state government, and international trade organizations. Beginning in 2002, he served with the U.S. Department of Transportation in Washington, D.C. in multiple roles, and then became a chief of staff with the Federal Aviation Administration. Mike joined CSX in 2007 and served in VP roles for state government, community affairs, procurement, and supply chain management. He was also president of the Railway Supply Institute, a trade association representing more than 200 manufacturers and service providers across the industry.

Jimmy Heidenreich

Vice President, Counsel

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Jimmy joined DCLI in 2013 as director of legal affairs and was promoted to his current role in early 2015.

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Interested in a Career with DCLI?

Your Career Can Make Big Moves at DCLI.

Benefits of working at DCLI

At DCLI, our wheels are always turning. It’s the nature of what we do and who we are. When a change hits the market, we feel it first and we adapt. And we need people like you to make that happen.

Why DCLI?

Our people are the backbone of everything we do and the fuel for everywhere we go as a company. We have remained a leader in our industry by embracing and elevating a wide range of ideas, opinions, backgrounds, and people.

What our employees say

We foster a diverse and inclusive workplace, where everyone is valued, heard, and given the opportunity to contribute, grow and thrive.

Our DEI Initiatives