J.B. Hunt announces leadership shake-up; Shelley Simpson promoted to CEO

Shelley Simpson, president of Lowell-based carrier J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc., will add CEO to her title this summer, according to a news release on Thursday (Feb. 29). The promotion is one of several leadership changes the company will make this year.

Simpson, 52, will become president and CEO on July 1. She started as president on Aug. 1, 2022. Simpson also was nominated to join the board of directors this year. Board member elections take place at the annual shareholders meeting in April.

CEO John Roberts will transition to the role of executive chairman when chairman Kirk Thompson retires. Thompson and Wayne Garrison will retire from the board at the end of their terms this year and will become non-voting honorary founding directors, a new advisory role. Board terms are for one year until the next shareholders’ meeting.

According to the release, these changes are part of the company’s succession planning and board development to support growth and shareholder confidence.

“I am so happy to know Kirk and Wayne will remain involved as advisors beyond their service as directors, and I am excited to congratulate John and Shelley on their new leadership roles,” said Johnelle Hunt, co-founder of J.B. Hunt. “I care deeply about the long-term success of the company, and these changes give me great confidence in the company’s ability to continue to prosper well into the future.”

Garrison joined the board in 1981 and was chairman from 1995 to Dec. 31, 2010. He joined J.B. Hunt in 1976 as plant manager and served in multiple executive roles, including president and CEO in the 1980s.

Thompson led the company as president and CEO from 1987 to Dec. 31, 2010. A board member since 1985, Thompson previously served as chief financial officer and chief operating officer. In 2023, he was the first employee to earn 50 years of experience with J.B. Hunt. Last year, the company had nearly 700 employees with at least 25 years of experience.

Roberts became president and CEO on Jan. 1, 2011, and joined the board of directors in 2010. He remained CEO and a board member after Simpson became president on Aug. 1, 2022. He joined the company in 1989 and served in multiple executive roles, including as president of dedicated contract services from 1997 to Dec. 31, 2010.

“Shelley challenges us to be excellent and innovative and always in pursuit of customer value,” Roberts said. “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. 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.”

Simpson has worked for J.B. Hunt for 30 years and has served 17 years in executive leadership roles. Before she became president in 2022, she was chief commercial officer and executive vice president of people and human resources along with leading international services and corporate marketing.

“J.B. Hunt is recognized as a leader in the transportation industry,” Simpson said. “We’re known for our highly talented and experienced people, and I’m honored to have the opportunity to work alongside the very best. 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.”

Simpson will be the second woman to become CEO of a publicly traded transportation and logistics company in Arkansas. The first was Judy McReynolds, chairman, president and CEO of Fort Smith-based ArcBest. McReynolds was named ArcBest president and CEO in 2010.

Shares of J.B. Hunt (NASDAQ: JBHT) were trading Thursday morning at $205.12, down 8 cents or 0.04%. In the past 52 weeks, the stock has ranged between $163.66 and $219.51.