Jett Mc Candless
About Jett Mc Candless
Jett McCandless is the Founder and CEO of project44 and a member of the YPO Chicago Chapter, with over 25 years of experience in the logistics industry.
Founder and CEO of project44
Jett Mc Candless serves as the Founder and CEO of project44, based in the Greater Chicago Area. Under his leadership, project44 has achieved significant milestones, including a pre-money valuation of $2.2 billion and generating over $100 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR). The company tracks more than 1 billion shipments annually across 170+ countries and is recognized as the #1 company in supply chain visibility with comprehensive global port-to-door coverage across all transportation modes. Notably, project44 has been acknowledged as the Leader in the 2022 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Real Time Transportation Visibility Platforms, among other accolades.
Executive Roles in Logistics
Jett Mc Candless has held several executive roles in the logistics industry. Before founding project44, he was the Founder and CEO of CarrierDirect from 2011 to 2016 in Chicago, IL. He also served as Executive Vice President and Principal at GlobalTranz from 2006 to 2011. His career in logistics includes various roles at YRC Freight, such as National Account Executive for Walmart, as well as roles in sales, supervision, and dispatch from 1999 to 2006.
Membership at YPO Chicago Chapter
Jett Mc Candless is a member of the YPO Chicago Chapter, a prominent organization for business leaders. This affiliation connects him with a network of executive peers in the Greater Chicago Area, reflecting his active engagement in the business community. YPO provides a platform for continuous learning and networking among top-tier leaders.
Recognition and Awards
Throughout his career, Jett Mc Candless has received numerous recognitions for his contributions to the logistics industry. project44, under his leadership, received the SAP® Pinnacle Award for Intelligent Enterprise Innovation Business Network Partner of the Year 2022 and was named #1 in FreightWaves FreightTech 2022. Additionally, project44 was included in Chicago Inno's 100 best places to work, Forbes' Best Startup Employers in 2022, and Jett himself was named Food Logistics 2022 Rock Star of the Supply Chain and Supply & Demand Chain Executive’s 2022 Pro to Know.
Industry Vision and Impact
Jett Mc Candless has over 25 years of experience in the logistics and delivery space. He was inspired to launch project44 due to firsthand experiences with logistics industry challenges. Naming the company after American transportation icon Route 66 and its first major bypass, Highway 44, reflects his vision of transforming the logistics industry through technology. He believes that the right technology can create a more productive world. His innovative approach has significantly impacted how the logistics industry operates, moving nearly $16.4 trillion worth of cargo annually in the U.S. alone.