THE CASE
Have you ever flown and had your luggage lost, damaged, or delayed? If you haven't, it's likely you know someone who has. Most travelers chuckle or shake their heads watching baggage handlers carelessly throw around passenger luggage, while also simultaneously hoping their bag with the fragile sticker is handled more gently. Sorry to break it to you, it's not.
I worked at Delta Airlines for a few years in both baggage and cargo handling. I also traveled a lot - to over 75 destinations - and found out that no matter if you fly into Jackson, JFK, or anywhere in-between the same problems exist. Baggage handling is an inefficient system hobbled by outdated technology, expensive equipment, and a very labor intensive process. On a direct flight your checked bag is handled by a minimum of six different airline employees and more than $400,000 in equipment.
At Efficient Technologies, we have set out to fix the antiquated baggage process. We have built fully-autonomous electric cargo vehicles from the ground up that integrate scanning, sorting, and precise location tracking for every bag in the system. Our vehicles will only require two employees to move your bag on its voyage. That equates to less touches, less transfers, and less opportunity for your bag to be damaged or lost. We will ensure your checked bags are handled with care and we will build to one of our ultimate goals for no passenger to ever have to wait at baggage claim again.
ET is going to change the airline industry for the better - reducing airline operational costs and creating a more seamless passenger journey. We are a team of dreamers and doers that will soon make luggage an afterthought in the travel process.
THE FACE
My story lies at the intersection of aviation, athletics, and entrepreneurship. I grew up in Bellevue, Nebraska, where my Grandpa retired as a Colonel at Offutt Air Force Base. As a kid, I would go with him to air shows and was awestruck by aircraft from the B-2 stealth bomber to B-52s to F-16 fighter jets. I fell in love with flight at an early age.
I attended the University of Nebraska, where I earned an MBA, a BS in Business Administration, and completed a year of law school. I represented the Huskers as a two-sport athlete in football and track & field, as well as an elected officer on multiple student-athlete committees. I continued my athletics career competing two seasons for USA Bobsled.
I started my first company, an advertising sales business, in Park City, Utah and had a great experience running it for five years. I spent time in San Francisco and Salt Lake City working for Delta Airlines. I left all of that to start Efficient Technologies because the opportunity to fix baggage handling was too big to not pursue. I taught myself mechanical and electrical engineering and learned enough to build the prototype vehicle in my garage.
My friends and family would tell you that I work harder than anyone they know, and the truth is I wouldn't have it any other way. I believe in maximizing every second we have and always striving for improvement.