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JB Hunt chairman Shelley Simpson will replace John Roberts as chief executive of the trucking giant this summer, the carrier announced on Thursday.
Simpson, who has worked at JB Hunt for almost 30 years, will retain her role as chairman as she takes over as chief executive on July 1, according to the announcement. She is the first woman to serve as the company’s CEO.
Roberts, the company’s CEO since 2011, will become chairman of the executive board following the departure of executive chairman Kirk Thompson and board member Wayne Garrison. Thompson and Garrison will move into advisory board roles as founding directors emeritus.
JB Hunt, which lost a legend last year with the retirement of Craig Harper, is among several major trucking companies with new leaders taking on key C-suite roles. Old Dominion Freight Line, XPO, Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings and Landstar System are just a few that have promoted or hired new faces.
The changes at JB Hunt are part of a leadership succession plan, the company said.
“These steps help ensure that the culture and innovative growth mindset that has been so critical to our company’s success remains strong and intact to support the Company’s vision and values for the foreseeable future,” Roberts said in a statement. statement.
Simpson was appointed chairman in 2022 after working in several executive roles with the company, including marketing as well as the truck and highway services division, where she oversaw the launch of the JB Hunt 360 in 2017.
She credits her career progression to the company’s current leaders and wants to continue that tradition.
“We are known for our extremely talented and experienced people, and I am honored to have the opportunity to work alongside the best,” Simpson said in the release. “Kirk, Wayne and John are not only great leaders, but they understand the importance of building great leaders and how that creates stability, opportunities for growth and ultimately drives long-term success for a company.”