The best ideas are usually born from problems that need to be solved. Reggie Dupr茅 decided to turn one of his problems into a nation-wide business. For over 35 years, Dupr茅 Logistics has served at the forefront of the transportation and logistics industry. Founded in 1980 by President and CEO Reggie Dupr茅, the company now operates approximately 600 trucks, employs over 1,000 professional drivers, and provides services throughout the entire country. As his company continues to grow, Dupr茅 is committed to providing the highest level of service to his clients and believes in giving back to the institution that shaped him into the person that he is today.
Dupr茅 graduated from the University in 1973 with a degree in business management. Prior to graduation, he purchased a small self-service gas station in Opelousas, Louisiana and established the Cajun Oil Company. As his company began to diversify into the wholesale of gasoline and diesel, they needed to find truck carriers to assist them with their transportation. When the search for a truck carrier that could satisfy their needs was unsuccessful, Dupr茅 decided to create his own. After acquiring a small trucking company and hiring some of the best people he could find, Dupr茅 was ready to tackle the transportation service industry.
As his business began to evolve into a more integrated logistics company, Dupr茅 made the decision to rebrand the business as Dupr茅 Logistics in 2008.
Today, Dupre鈥 Logistics serves many different market segments around the country. However, chemical and energy distributions have proven to be its largest segments. Since the company has a service-based platform, they have relied heavily on technology to assist them in maintaining one of their biggest goals: safety. 鈥淚n the area of safety, we鈥檝e become innovators in technology,鈥 said Dupr茅. The company utilizes predictive analytics to help preserve the safety of their drivers. When it comes to the drivers that he hires, Dupr茅 knows that he has the absolute best. 鈥淥ur drivers are awesome people,鈥 said Dupr茅. Recently, one of the company鈥檚 drivers was named a Highway Angel after stopping to help a family that was in a car accident in the middle of the highway. Dupr茅 knows that his drivers always go above and beyond, and he is proud that they are changing lives one highway at a time.
As a student at the then University of Southwestern Louisiana, Dupr茅 was heavily involved with athletics. He was a member of the football team and credits this experience to his success today. 鈥淚 learned that a team can do more than an individual can do and how every team member is important,鈥 said Dupr茅. He also had some influential teachers that really left an impact on him, such as his accounting professor, Dr. Blanchard. 鈥淎ccounting is the language of businesses,鈥 said Dupr茅. The knowledge that he learned in his accounting class really prepared him to understand the business world. Overall, Dupr茅 knows that his time at USL was instrumental to his success in life and is now determined to pay that success forward to his alma mater.
Philanthropy has always been an important part of Dupr茅鈥檚 life, especially in the area of education. 鈥淓ducation is where we鈥檝e found ourselves more inclined to give because that is where are heart is,鈥 said Dupr茅. As an avid Ragin鈥 Cajun fan and alumnus of the University, Dupr茅 believes in trying to create an environment where more people can have access to the same great education that he received from USL in 1973. 鈥淲e started giving back to the University because the University has been very important to our family,鈥 said Dupr茅. Not only did he and his wife graduate from the institution, but one of his daughters did as well. As Dupr茅 continues his philanthropic work, he encourages others to follow in his footsteps. 鈥淕iving back really brings life to you,鈥 said Dupr茅. Just like the drivers in his company, Reggie Dupr茅 has been an angel to the University and his continued support will always be appreciated by the Ragin鈥 Cajun nation.
Photo: Dupr茅 Logistics Founder & CEO, Reggie Dupr茅