About Us

Hybrid History
Hybrid Transit Systems, Inc. was founded by four transportation veterans who shared the same vision of providing a more consistent, dependable, and enjoyable shipping experience for their long-time customers.  Pooling their unique talents and digging into their own bank accounts, they launched Hybrid in October of 2005. Over the course of the next three years they worked tirelessly to build one of Eastern Iowa’s fastest growing companies, and along the way created more than 20 new jobs with a significant impact on the local and regional economies.

Their long-established customers, some of the largest manufacturers and processors in the world, have helped Hybrid develop a strict set of operating procedures and protocols that serve as the rock-solid foundation upon which the company thrives.  As market demands evolved and technology continued to develop at an incredible pace, Hybrid committed to funding its in-house safety and compliance department; doing so provided structure and sanity in a world where risk was ever increasing and carrier qualification became more and more significant.

In November 2008, Hybrid launched its Air Freight division and to this day provides extremely cost-competitive air and expedited options to small, medium, and large customers – on a local, regional and national level.  Blending the knowledge of it experienced air freight staff with their existing standard operating procedures, Hybrid Air Freight has experienced a tremendous amount of success in just a short period of time.

Hybrid continues to strengthen its commitments to both shippers and carriers, constantly seeking a better way to do things.  In a world focused almost exclusively on the transaction, Hybrid will continue to focus on ways to improve the overall customer experience.

Hybrid Transit Management Team
Robert Helgens, President - As a founding partner, principal owner and President of Hybrid Transit Systems, Inc., Mr. Helgens has passionately levered his 27 years of industry experience in guiding the company’s strategic vision.  Providing daily leadership to his executive team and a nurturing hand for all Hybrid employees has facilitated the company’s incredible maturation.  Prior to Hybrid, Mr. Helgens served in a variety of sales and account management positions, as well as in senior leadership roles for regional- and national-based transportation companies, including CRST International, RFK Transportation, Cedar Rapids Transportation, and Providence Transportation Group.

John Miller, Vice President, Marketing - Mr. Miller, a 27-year industry veteran, is responsible for the advancement and implementing strategic company initiatives as relates to shipping partners, program and product delivery, and organizational development.  Mr. Miller has extensive experience is sales, marketing, and operations at a variety of mid- and senior management levels, spread across small, medium, and large organizations such as Providence Transportation Group, KAT Refrigerated, and CRST International, respectively.

Gerald Moore, Vice President, Operations - Mr. Moore applies hands-on operational experience to the organization on a daily basis, helping guide the development of carrier qualification and development, review and enhancement of standard operating procedure, and functional guidance tied to key operating system design and enhancement.  Through his 19 years in the industry, Mr. Moore has held a variety of field-based and management roles, including route driver, warehouse and fleet management, LTL sales, on-site acquisition and transition of O/O operations, and strategic account acquisition.

Brian Helgens, Vice President, Aviation - Mr. Helgens has 22 years of experience in the aviation industry, both in a military and civilian capacity.  A former US Air Force F-16 Crew Chief with a tour in the Gulf War, Mr. Helgens is responsible for corporate operations, including accounting, legal, HR, and IT infrastructures.  Mr. Helgens has held executive management positions in various civilian aviation companies, overseeing quality assurance, warehousing, repair admin, purchasing and program management specializing in structural components and aircraft projects.  He has directed a multitude of international and domestic aircraft dismantlements, giving him global expertise in key aviation markets.

Eric Heskje, General Manager - Mr. Heskje is responsible for executing corporate marketing and operational plans, leading a team of 16 logistics professionals.  Mr. Heskje is responsible for service quality initiatives, P&L performance, market plan execution, and employee development and training.  His 22 years of sales, marketing, and operational experience has been rooted primarily in telecommunications – AT&T, McLeodUSA/Paetec, Mediacom Communications, and iWireless.  Most recent to joining Hybrid, Mr. Heskje was a founding executive and Chief Operating Officer at Express Auto Delivery, transportation 3PL specializing in vehicle niches. 

Ian Lamphier, Compliance Manager, Safety & Risk - Mr. Lamphier, a 32 year industry veteran, is responsible for the management of Hybrid’s Safety and Risk programs, including carrier qualification, overall risk assessment, insurance and authority analysis, and program integration.  Mr. Lamphier has served as President for both Cedar Rapids Transit and CR Logistics, and held a variety of management positions during his lengthy career at CRST (Regional Sales Manager, Operations Director, Director of Safety and Driver Training, General Manager, and Vice President of Regional Flatbed Divisions).