Apollo in the Spotlight turns its focus this month to Héctor Beltre, a standout logistics leader based in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and a key force behind Last Mile Logistics. With a decade of experience in international business and a sharp eye on global trade trends, Héctor brings insight, adaptability, and a deep commitment to building strong cross-border alliances. In this interview, he shares his thoughts on the evolving challenges of the logistics industry, the importance of community, and how his company is creating new opportunities both locally and globally.
How did you first get interested in logistics, and what keeps you motivated in this field?
I began studying International Business ten years ago, driven by a strong interest in participating in international trade between countries. Today, what continues to inspire me is the Dominican Republic’s growing potential in logistics, the growing economic investment, and the ongoing development of the sector both locally and on a global scale.
What do you wish someone had told you before you started in logistics?
Friends, networking, and paying attention to small details can bring you closer to success—or at least help you avoid many headaches. Experience will do the rest over time.
What do you see as the biggest challenge in logistics today, and how do you think the industry is handling it?
The biggest challenge lies in managing the independent interests of each country within a globally connected market. Every nation’s individual decisions influence how we operate, but our adaptability allows us to uncover new business opportunities.
Who has been your biggest influence or mentor in your career, and what have you learned from them?
My first employer in the industry was the best teacher in both operations and sales. I learned many things, but the most important lessons were: “Pay attention to small details” and “Traveling for a handshake will secure more business than just providing good service.”
If you could change one thing about the logistics industry, what would it be and what impact do you think it would have?
I would push for having a single provider that can handle all logistics services. Many carriers aren’t able to manage the entire logistics process, which prevents them from being fully efficient and often leads to unmet customer expectations and reputational damage. I believe this is one of the main reasons why large customers choose to manage their logistics operations themselves.
What motivated you to join this network, and has it met your expectations so far?
We needed a community to expand our operations and build alliances with leaders in other countries. So far, the network has lived up to our expectations. We’re growing and creating opportunities for other members to do business with us as well.
What’s one resource or feature within the network you think more members should take advantage of?
Special memberships offer great opportunities to develop niche markets. These uncommon business areas allow us to prove our adaptability. Also, with fewer players involved, we often have better chances of making profitable deals.
When you’re not focused on logistics, how do you like to unwind and enjoy your free time?
Personally, I like to play sports and spend quality time with my family. Unfortunately, our industry never stops, but we are still human—we need to coexist with others, and our families and friends need us too.
If you could swap jobs with anyone for a day, who would it be and why?
I would swap jobs with one of our customers. Seeing our performance through their eyes would be a great opportunity to learn and improve what we do.
Thank you, Hector, for sharing your experiences and inspiring us with your passion for logistics and community building.