When Yurii Gerasymov first got behind the wheel of a freight truck in the late 1990s, the logistics world looked nothing like it does today. Paper maps replaced GPS screens, handwritten logs substituted for tracking systems, and fleet optimization was more intuition than analytics. Yet even then, Gerasymov believed that transport management was not just about moving cargo — it was about orchestrating a living system of technology, people, and precision.
Today, from his base in Atlanta, the Fleet and Safety Manager at BSG Logistics LLC is recognized as one of the most versatile logistics experts of his generation. His career spans more than twenty-five years across Ukraine, Europe, and the United States, marked by awards such as the Order of Honor, Leaders of the 21st Century, and Great Ukrainians. In 2025, he joined the jury of the Quality Mark Award, and later that year was appointed to the Editorial Board of the Universal Library of Innovative Research and Studies (ULIRS) — recognition of both his practical expertise and his growing impact in the academic field.
“Logistics has changed radically since the late 1990s — digitalization, GPS tracking, electronic platforms, safety standards,” he says. “But one thing remains constant: responsibility for timely and safe delivery. In the center of this profession is still a person — their professionalism, attention, and readiness to solve problems in real time.”
From Roads to Research
Gerasymov’s professional journey began in Ukraine, where he managed transport fleets for companies like Transtek and founded his own logistics business. His early success came from implementing advanced vehicle monitoring systems at a time when digital tracking was still a novelty. “We introduced GPS control and online condition monitoring for vehicles long before it became industry standard,” he recalls. “It wasn’t easy, but it changed everything — efficiency, safety, fuel economy.”
When he moved to the United States, Gerasymov brought with him a distinctly European mindset: discipline, structure, and technological rigor. At BSG Logistics, he introduced a fleet optimization program that reduced operating costs by ten percent while improving safety compliance — a result that earned him the American Business Carnival award in the Fleet Management category.
His management philosophy is rooted in system thinking: “Systematic work means predictable results. A fleet is like a living organism — if one part fails, the whole system loses efficiency. For me, structure isn’t bureaucracy, it’s stability.”
Standards Without Borders
Having worked across three continents, Gerasymov has seen the contrasts firsthand. “In the U.S., safety is everything — DOT and OSHA define every detail. In Europe, efficiency and environmental standards come first. In Ukraine, specialists must be flexible and multitasking,” he explains. “I tried to combine these approaches — where compliance and innovation coexist, and safety doesn’t slow down decision-making.”
That blend of experience made him a natural choice for the Quality Mark Award jury. “Being part of an international award panel is a huge responsibility,” he says. “But it’s also a chance to influence how the industry defines quality — to highlight not only financial success but also innovation and sustainability.”
A Mind for Innovation
Beyond management, Gerasymov is an active researcher and author of several scientific papers on transport safety and uninterrupted supply chains. His studies, published in The American Journals and Nauka Online, explore predictive maintenance, digital safety systems, and logistics optimization. “Practice without analysis loses depth,” he says. “Research allows me to understand the patterns behind operational success and share that knowledge with others.”
His appointment to ULIRS reflects his belief that academia and industry should work hand in hand. “Many papers stay too theoretical,” he notes. “I want to bridge that gap — to make research applicable, to turn models into solutions that real companies can use.”
Looking Ahead
As logistics enters the age of automation and AI, Gerasymov remains cautious yet optimistic. “Artificial intelligence already helps predict routes, reduce fuel costs, and avoid downtime. But total automation is risky — without human intuition, flexibility is lost,” he warns.
Asked to describe his “ideal transport company of the future,” he doesn’t hesitate:
“First — safety and sustainability before profit.
Second — innovation and data-driven management.
Third — human capital. Professionals must be educated, supported, and motivated — not just hired.”
For Yurii Gerasymov, the road ahead is not about speed, but about foresight — seeing how logistics can evolve responsibly, combining data, discipline, and humanity. After all, as he often says, “stability isn’t luck — it’s the result of systematic planning.”
