Simpson is named J.B. Hunt President and CEO

A change is coming at the top for Lowell, Ark.-based trucking and intermodal services bellwether J.B. Hunt (JBH)

The company announced today that Shelley Simpson, JBH president, has been appointed as chief executive officer, in addition to her duties as president, coupled with her nomination for election to the company’s Board of Directors.

Simpson has served as JBH president going back to August 1, 2022, and she has been with the company for nearly three decades in various executive leadership roles, including: In helping to found Integrated Capacity Solutions (ICS) in 2007 and named president of the business unit; assuming sales and marketing executive responsibilities in 2011 as chief marketing officer and taking on additional leadership roles in 2014, when she was named president of J.B. Hunt’s Truckload business segment; named chief commercial officer and president of Highway Services in 2017 and led the strategic direction and launch of the J.B. Hunt 360° platform; and added responsibilities for people and human resources, and named president in 2022.

As per the company’s Board of Directors, Simpson will assume her new role, effective July 1, 2024, with her nomination for election to the Board at JBH’s annual shareholders meeting scheduled for April. And JBH officials said that Kirk Thompson, current executive chairman of the Board, and Wayne Garrison, will both retire from the company’s Board of Directors and will take newly formed Board advisory roles as Honorary Founding Directors.  John N. Roberts, III, outgoing chief executive officer, will assume the role of executive chairman of the Board upon Thompson’s retirement from the Board. The changes are part of the company’s succession planning and Board development to support future growth and shareholder confidence, the company said.

“Shelley challenges us to be excellent and innovative and always in pursuit of customer value. She will continue to remain focused on disciplined investments to drive appropriate returns and long-term growth for the benefit of our people, customers and shareholders,” said Roberts in a statement. “These steps help to ensure the culture and innovative growth mindset that has been so vital to the success of our company remains strong and intact to support the vision and the values of the Company for the foreseeable future.”  

And Simpson said that J.B. Hunt is recognized as a leader in the transportation industry and is known for its highly talented and experienced people.

“I’m honored to have the opportunity to work alongside the very best,” said Simpson. “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. They’ve grown a culture of integrity and respect, of innovation, safety and excellence, and I am profoundly grateful for the impact they’ve had and will continue to have on the company.”

J.B. Hunt’s fourth quarter revenue, at $3.3 billion, fell 9.0% annually, and full-year 2023 revenue, at $12.83 billion, saw a 13% annual decline.