Built on decades of dedication and discipline

From a small Bakersfield operation to California’s leading crude oil logistics provider, Gazelle’s history is defined by steady leadership, operational excellence, and a commitment to safety, reliability, and continuous improvement.

Gazelle Awards on the wall and on a table.

Growing stronger through an evolving industry

From the early days in hazardous waste hauling to becoming California’s leading crude oil logistics provider, Gazelle has continually adapted to meet the demands of a rapidly changing energy landscape. Our willingness to rethink processes, invest in better equipment, and embrace new technologies has allowed us to anticipate and respond to an ever-evolving industry. This ensures we remain a reliable, future-ready partner for every customer and every region we serve.

A company shaped by people who care

Gazelle’s history is defined by our people. Many of our team members have spent decades here, building their careers and making real differences, because our culture rewards integrity, ambition, and mutual respect. That long-term dedication shows up on the road and in every customer interaction, creating a level of consistency, craftsmanship, and safety that only a truly people-first business can deliver.

Gazelle truck driver waving from inside the cab.

Ron Lallo

President & CEO

Valerie Lallo

CO-Owner/Payroll Administrator

Dan Swainston

COO

Danielle Pryor

HR & Compliance Director

Debbie Davis

Controller

Hector Del Toro

Area Operations Manager

Robert Whittington

Logistics Service Center Manager

Felix Cadena

Facilities Manager

Clark Felix

Logistics Planning Specialist

Juli Johnson

Accounts Payable Specialist

Aaron Watkins

Invoicing & Ticketing Specialist

Priscila Casey

HR Administrator

A legacy in the making

1992

Jerry Eiler founded Gazelle Transportation in October 1992 after purchasing the assets of a small Bakersfield-based hazardous waste hauler. The company began by serving the hazardous waste hauling and recycling market, laying the groundwork for the operational expertise and service focus that would define our future.

1993

Current CEO Ron Lallo joined Gazelle in 1993 as a mechanic, marking the start of a decades-long career with the company. His hands-on experience in operations, maintenance, and team leadership would later help guide Gazelle through major phases of transformation.

1993

1998

Gazelle made a defining strategic shift to focus exclusively on crude oil transportation in California. To support the move into this high-growth niche, Gazelle acquired the transportation assets of two major crude gathering companies: EOTT and Texaco Trading & Transportation. This pivot set the stage for sustained expansion.

2004

Gazelle entered a new era of leadership as Ron Lallo assumed ownership and began guiding the company with a clear operational vision of becoming the nation's premier crude oil transportation company. Under his direction, Gazelle strengthened its safety culture, formalized core values, and expanded its reputation as a reliable, service-driven partner throughout California and most of America’s more prolific oil producing regions.

2004

2009

By 2009, Gazelle had expanded dramatically from 30 trucks to nearly 200, and from tens of employees to a team of 500. Revenue grew from $5.5 million to $62 million, reflecting disciplined operational performance and strong customer partnerships across our nation’s oil regions.

2016

Gazelle partnered with private equity during a period of industry-wide volatility to strengthen the business for the long term.

2016

2022

Gazelle reunited under the leadership of Ron Lallo, whose return reinforced the company’s commitment to its founding principles: safety, integrity, and exceptional service.

2026

A future built on progress

As Gazelle moves toward 2030, we remain focused on strengthening operations, investing in our people, and refining the systems that have long earned customer trust. We continue to diversify our services in support of California’s agriculture, dairy, and refuse industries as part of our vision to become the state’s transportation and logistics company of the future.

Gazelle truck on the road with green hills.

Leadership in action

Over more than three decades, Gazelle’s success has been rooted in a clear set of strengths: long-tenured talent, industry-leading safety practices, continuous innovation, and the reliability customers depend on every day. These pillars have shaped our past and continue to guide our future.

Experienced team

Long-tenured team members bring deep expertise to every route. Their experience supports consistent operations, strong safety performance, and dependable day-to-day service for customers Many of Gazelle’s truck drivers and office staff have been with the company for 10 to 20-plus years.

Leaders in safety

Safety has been a defining value since our earliest days. From rigorous training to advanced engineering controls, Gazelle’s safety program continues to exceed state and industry standards.

Innovating forward

Throughout our history, Gazelle has embraced change—adopting new equipment, technologies, and processes to better serve customers. Our commitment to improvement ensures we never fall behind the needs of a modern energy industry.

Reliable operations

Customers rely on Gazelle for consistent, dependable hauling across California’s most complex oil regions. Our long-standing processes, well-maintained fleet, and 24/7 operational support keep product moving when it matters most.

Committed to continuous improvement

Throughout Gazelle’s history, one theme has remained constant: we never settle for “good enough.” Whether adopting advanced engineering controls long before they were industry standard or pioneering cleaner-fuel fleets, Gazelle continually seeks out better, safer, and more sustainable ways to serve customers. This dedication to ongoing innovation, rooted in real-world testing and decades of operational learning, keeps us moving forward and raising the bar for the industry.

Let’s build the next chapter

Connect with Gazelle to learn how our decades of experience, strong values, and forward-focused operations can support your long-term transportation needs.