FREIGHT DOCK construction and welding have been part of Kelly Burns-Fraley’s life for as long as she can remember. With roots in a family trade that began in the 1970s, her path into the transportation construction industry started early, marked by a willingness to learn, work diligently, and enter a field where women were rarely seen.
At just 20 years old, Kelly and her late husband, Sandy Burns, started their own branch of the family business in 1986. As newlyweds, they provided full loading-dock maintenance to trucking companies across the Midwest and the Southern United States. Those early years were hands-on and demanding, but they laid the foundation for what would become a thriving, long-term enterprise.
“I learned to weld and understand what it takes to keep dock levelers functioning properly,” Kelly said. “It gave me a strong technical foundation and confidence in the work.”
Although she entered the industry early, Kelly’s path included seasons of transition. At 24, she chose to step away from traveling to focus on raising her children. During that time, she pursued further education and eventually built a career in the medical field, working as a workers’ compensation specialist for the Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. There, she worked alongside physicians, attorneys, and insurance carriers to ensure fair outcomes for both employers and injured workers.
That experience sharpened her leadership and strengthened her resolve. “I learned to stand my ground, fight for what was right, and never be intimidated by money or degrees,” she said. “Integrity always comes first.”
Those values would later define her approach in a male-dominated industry. Freight dock construction — and the trucking industry it supports — has historically been led by men. Yet Kelly built her leadership on knowledge, experience, and a commitment to doing what is right, earning respect through both her expertise and her character.
A defining turning point came in 2015. While still working for the state, Kelly and her husband, Beri Fraley, found themselves stretched thin, trying to balance full-time employment with the growing demands of the business. Late nights spent catching up on invoices made it clear that something had to change.
“We decided that when the next buyout was offered, I would take it and return to the business full-time,” Kelly said.
Just three months later, that opportunity arrived. She took the buyout and stepped fully into the company, a decision that marked the beginning of significant growth. Since then, the business has expanded nationwide, now covering 38 states from Miami to Seattle. Along the way, Kelly and her team have modernized billing systems, streamlined logistics, and established a broad network of vendors to support operations across the country.
The work her company provides plays a vital role in everyday life. With more than 70% of the nation’s goods transported by truck, properly functioning loading docks are essential to keeping supply chains moving. Even a single unusable dock can cost a trucking company thousands of dollars each day, ultimately affecting shipping costs and the price of goods.
“We help keep freight moving and workers safe,” Kelly explained. “Our goal is to provide quality construction and be ready when emergencies happen.”
Despite the scale of her operation, Kelly remains grounded in the values that have guided her from the beginning. She credits her success to her faith, integrity, and the people she surrounds herself with.
“God has blessed us with more than we deserve,” she said. “If you strive to do the right thing and maintain integrity, everything else will fall into place.”
Her personal and professional lives are closely connected. Today, she runs the business alongside her husband, Beri Fraley, a retired lieutenant colonel who served for 30 years and completed four deployments. Together, they are passionate about serving veterans and are actively involved in organizations such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, and Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association. With her background in workers’ compensation and his knowledge of the military and the Department of Veterans Affairs system, they are able to help veterans navigate and obtain the benefits they deserve, a mission they hope to pursue full time in the future
Kelly also emphasizes the importance of longevity and doing the job right the first time. She recalls visiting truck terminals where dock levelers installed by her company in the early 1980s are still in operation today, more than four decades later. For her, that durability reflects the care and craftsmanship behind the work.
Looking ahead, she hopes the business will continue through future generations. Her teenage grandson is set to begin training this summer, with the possibility of carrying on the family legacy.
For women who feel called to pursue leadership or enter industries where they may be underrepresented, Kelly offers straightforward advice: “Stick with what you know and love. If you know what you’re doing, you’ll be successful. And if you love it, you’ll be happy.”
Through decades of change, Kelly Burns-Fraley has remained committed to her work, her values, and the legacy she is building — one that will continue for generations to come. GN
