Work Ethic
Pam Spaccarotella’s journey is a remarkable testament to resilience and the power of a strong work ethic. From her early days with her father—a Marine and music professor who instilled in her the belief that no obstacle is insurmountable—Pam learned that perseverance is key.
Pam’s father was a disciplinarian and quitting was never an option as she was growing up. “When one door closes, another door opens, so just keep going,” her dad would say.
Opening the Door to Opportunities
A graduate of the United States Air Force Academy after being only the fifth class of women to attend, Pam began her career as a Communications Officer and Missile Launch Officer aboard the Strategic Air Command’s Airborne Command Post in Omaha, Nebraska. After fulfilling her military service commitment, Pam continued her education, obtaining her master’s in business administration from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, earning her Certified Public Accountant (CPA), and obtaining her Juris Doctor from the University Of Maine School Of Law.
After law school, she went to work for PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) as a CPA, where she worked with a client, Direct Transit, which piqued her interest in the transportation industry. In 1998, Pam became the Controller for Cryogenic Transportation, Inc. and later served as President. In 2001, Pam resigned from CTI and partnered to start GENOX Transportation, Inc. After leaving Genox, Pam joined Werner Enterprises, Inc. as Associate Vice President of their Value Added Services division continuing her experience in the transportation industry.
During the economic decline of 2008/2009, Pam responded to a call to serve politically for the City of Omaha as the Finance Director under Mayor Jim Suttle. Pam held the position from 2009 to 2012, when she resigned to pursue LGT Transport.
Humble Beginnings
Pam’s leap into entrepreneurship with LGT (Liquid Gas Tanker) Transport was marked by tenacity. LGT is capital intensive business, so it was challenging to get a loan for its business plan. Both big and small banks declined her request, but Pam did not give up. She refined her business plan, reducing the initial request from 10 trailers to five.
Despite facing numerous rejections, Pam persisted and sought out Centennial Bank, which later merged to become Core Bank. When Pam spoke with Kathryn Barker at the bank, Kathryn listened to her story and gave her a chance. Pam was thrilled when LGT’s financing was approved within a few weeks. Through this partnership, she found not just financial backing but a relationship that would prove essential to her long-term success.
Driving Toward Growth
LGT was founded in Omaha in 2012 with a fleet of five cryogenic steel trailers, but now boasts over 250 trucks and 186 trailers, operating throughout the lower 48 states, Canada, and inter-line export to Mexico. LGT has diversified its specialty product transportation to include Cryogenic Liquids, Carbon Dioxide, Specialty Gases, Anhydrous Ammonia, Liquid Propane, and Liquid Fertilizer. Industries supported by LGT include aerospace and space exploration, automotive & parts manufacturing, construction, agriculture and farming, food and beverages, healthcare, electronics, aquaculture, chemicals and refining, metals, and iron/glass and ceramics.
LGT’s rapid growth in the cryogenic transportation industry is credited to their strong leadership and dedicated driver force. Pam shared a takeaway from Russ Matthews, her former boss at Cryogenic Transportation, Inc., “When you see good people, you need to recognize them and reward them. Drivers are most important – can make you or break you.”
Lawson Cryogenic Manufacturing & Repair has also been an investment of Pam’s from 2016 and there are plans for a manufacturing facility in Gretna to be completed in August 2025. More will be shared about this venture in the future.
Business Relationships
Pam shared that Kathryn Barker was instrumental in giving her the opportunity to pursue her business dream. LGT uses Core Bank for deposits and lending. Pam said that maintaining a strong relationship with your banker is critical for long-term growth and success.
LGT is also a relationship heavy business. LGT drivers trust the company to help provide for their families. Pam is committed to her drivers and staff – this testament is seen in the longevity of the drivers who have remained working for LGT for many years.
“I would not be in this position today if it wasn’t for all the drivers who are supporting me,” Pam said. When Pam sees an LGT truck on her way home, she wants to find out who is driving that truck so she can tell them how proud she is of them.
Furthermore, Pam has shared that “I believe the reason customers want to do business with us is that we do what we say we are going to do. When we commit, when we say we’ll have a truck there, when we say we’ll cover a job – we do it. We don’t overcommit. We don’t take jobs we know we won’t cover. Customers can rely on what we say. And, come hell or highwater, we do it. We do it together, as a team, with a common goal and a common purpose. To be the best at what we do because that’s who we are.”
Community and Women in Trucking
Pam said holding onto community is important. At the Air Force Academy, the culture she felt was “all for one and one for all.” She learned that the individuals should support the group, and the group should support the individuals. Pam wanted a united company and to have people valued as who they are and recognize their strengths.
LGT earned the Small Business Association Award for Eastern Nebraska in 2015 for Small Business of the Year.
In 2023 and 2024, LGT was recognized as one of the Top Companies for Women to Work for in Transportation by the Women in Trucking Association. Women at LGT hold positions at every level and across different departments, including driver roles and office staff, spanning terminal management, dispatch, maintenance, leadership, and safety & compliance. Liana Castro, LGT’s first female driver trainer, was named the Women in Trucking Association’s July Member of the Month in 2023.
Pam’s story is a powerful reminder that with determination, the right relationships, and a supportive community, it’s possible to turn dreams into reality. Listen to Pam’s recent interview on the LGT Driver Stories podcast. Learn more about LGT by following them on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.