Hidden Gems: Meet Chris Condon of AirconAI

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Condon

Hi Chris , can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in Snohomish, WA, and spent my late teens in Elmwood, WI—both farming communities. Inspired by leadership lessons from my teacher, David Fishman, I dreamed of playing or coaching basketball. Moving from a large high school in Snohomish to a small one in Elmwood taught me valuable lessons about people and being an outsider. Summers spent working on the farm instilled a strong work ethic and a drive to succeed, fueled by a fear of disappointing my parents.

After high school, I attended the University of Wisconsin-Stout and played football, but left to support my young family, working three jobs. This experience laid the foundation for my career in supply chain management. At 26, I moved to El Paso, TX, for a job as a Distribution Manager. Despite initial setbacks, this role taught me crucial business skills.

Balancing work and family became a priority after a pivotal moment with my son. In 2011, I co-founded APEX Diversified Solutions and later moved to Seattle, taking a position at Trans-Trade. Despite initial challenges, I was promoted to CEO three years later, transforming the struggling Seattle branch into a successful operation.

Today, as the father of three and grandfather of three, I lead Tricon in providing tailored supply chain solutions, driven by our EPIC values: Empowerment, Professionalism, Integrity, and Community. During this time, I faced challenges competing in air cargo, which led to the idea of a public shared gateway to consolidate and manage community resources using technology and rates. AI became a natural evolution to predict rates, routes, and on-time performance.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The struggles make the journey worthwhile. Naturally, there were challenges, from missing important events and facing financial insecurity to sharing and communicating our vision. Change is difficult for many to grasp, especially the long-term benefits of collaborating with AirconAI. In the early days, without significant buying power, we had to articulate the vision of the CO-OP and the future use of technology. We needed to explain how AI could enhance their daily workflows and help them overcome short-term obstacles. Transitioning from traditional methods to new, innovative processes required patience and perseverance. Ultimately, we had to demonstrate what was in it for them both now and in the future, overcoming their focus on immediate results to embrace the advantages of long-term collaboration.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about AirconAI?
Most air freight forwarders often lose business due to their lack of critical mass and infrastructure compared to larger companies. They face disadvantages not only in competitive rates but also in consolidation opportunities.

Aircon is the first platform designed to empower small and medium forwarders to compete with larger companies in the air freight business, representing a modern-day David versus Goliath scenario.

Leveraging advanced technology and proprietary processes, Aircon facilitates time-sensitive shipments, AOG, express, and consolidated/deferred options, ensuring the best possible pricing. We offer a comprehensive range of air services, including door-to-door solutions. Additionally, we utilize AI to predict, track, and book shipments worldwide. Our approach is rooted in servant leadership and stewardship, dedicated to supporting and guiding our partners toward greater success.

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
The qualities I believe are most crucial to my success are integrity, innovation, and a customer-focused approach. Integrity ensures that we build trust and maintain strong relationships with our clients and partners. Innovation drives us to continuously improve and stay ahead in a competitive industry. Being customer-focused allows us to understand and meet the unique needs of each client, providing tailored solutions that deliver exceptional value.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.airconai.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AirConai