Dalton Puller: Precision in Every Delivery
General
Meet Our People - Dalton Puller
At Mercury, our success is built on the dedication and expertise of our team—and Dalton Puller exemplifies both. As a Logistics Guide in our operations team, Dalton plays a key role in managing time-sensitive and temperature-controlled shipments for healthcare and life sciences clients. With a background in logistics and a passion for delivering critical shipments with precision, he combines problem-solving skills, calm under pressure, and a commitment to excellence to ensure every delivery reaches its destination safely and on time.
What inspired you to specialize in time-sensitive and temperature-controlled logistics for healthcare and life sciences?
In the beginning, I wouldn’t say I was specifically inspired to enter healthcare and life sciences. It all started when Tony Smith—someone I’d never spoken to before—reached out to me on LinkedIn. He was building a team of logistics professionals in the Columbus, OH area for a company expanding into healthcare and life sciences, almost like a start-up.
The more I researched, the more interested I became. It felt like a new challenge. At that time, I had five years of logistics experience but none in healthcare and life sciences. I realized the work would be more meaningful—knowing I played a part in getting someone the treatment they needed, or delivering test results that could change their care.
Can you describe a day in the life of a Logistics Guide working on critical shipments?
My mornings start by confirming that all couriers handling early shipments are ready for pickups or deliveries. Next, I check our team inbox and the 2nd/3rd shift inbox to address anything urgent. I then create shipments for recurring daily clients, send out daily reports for a few key accounts, and begin tracking early morning parcel deliveries.
Throughout the day, I monitor deliveries and arrange any new parcels or domestic shipments that come in. I also jump in to resolve delays or issues as quickly as possible.
How do you stay calm and focused when overseeing high-stakes, time-sensitive deliveries?
Early in my career, I learned a valuable lesson from others: only worry about the things you can control. If you’ve done everything possible, there’s no point in stressing over what you can’t change. Worrying unnecessarily only adds stress—and in this profession, there’s already plenty of it. That mindset has helped me stay grounded, even in high-pressure situations.
What processes or tools do you most rely on to ensure package integrity and compliance?
I rely on our internal training courses, detailed process documents, and work instructions created by my colleagues. I also lean on the expertise of team members who know more about specific areas, along with the knowledge I’ve built since joining Mercury and from my previous logistics experience.
Can you share a real-world example of a shipment that presented challenges—and how you resolved them?
In May, we had a FedEx shipment from a hotel in Italy after a trade show, bound for a storage facility in the UK. It ran into customs clearance issues in Italy, but FedEx wasn’t giving us clear information despite our constant follow-ups.
After weeks of back-and-forth, the shipment was sent back to the hotel. The hotel refused it and told FedEx to hold it for pickup. That’s when I contacted one of our trusted UK partners, who connected us with their Italian division. Within hours, they had a driver pick it up. When they tried to return it to FedEx, we finally learned the real customs issues. We fixed the paperwork within the hour, and the shipment cleared customs in Italy the next morning. The next day, it arrived in the UK and cleared there as well. This experience reinforced the importance of trusted partnerships in problem-solving.
What aspects of Mercury’s culture most support your work in critical courier services?
Mercury feels like a family. We have the freedom to do our jobs without being micromanaged, but everyone is ready to jump in and help when needed. Weekly training keeps us aligned, and leadership—from the owner to the COO—is approachable and quick to collaborate. That level of accessibility is rare, and it’s something I truly value.
What’s the most rewarding moment you’ve experienced since joining Mercury?
One of the most memorable moments was when Jim Turk, our COO, told me Mercury would be in a worse place if I ever left. I’ve also had countless smaller moments where leaders like Josh Medow, Jim Turk, and Zac Macek have recognized my contributions to improving the company.
What advice would you give new team members who want to excel in critical courier logistics?
Stay organized and develop a daily system. Without it, the workload can become overwhelming, and you risk doing double work. The ability to multitask and prioritize tasks in the right order is essential.
What are some hidden talents or fun facts about you?
I have excellent reaction time and spatial awareness when driving—probably because I used to be a semi-professional racecar driver. I even won races against people who went on to compete at the professional level.
Fun fact: I’m related to two U.S. Presidents—Richard Nixon and Ulysses S. Grant.
Join Our Team: Discover Career Opportunities at Mercury
Explore the exciting career opportunities at Mercury and take the next step in your professional journey. We are committed to fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and growth, where every team member can thrive. If you're passionate about making an impact and contributing to strategic initiatives, we invite you to join our dynamic team. Discover how you can be part of our mission to redefine logistics solutions. Visit our careers page today to learn more about available positions and start your journey with Mercury.Check out available positions on our Careers page!
