J.B. Hunt CEO Shelley Simpson earns 8% raise, total pay exceeds $11 million

Shelley Simpson, president and CEO of Lowell-based J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc., received an 8.33% salary increase in 2024, and her total compensation rose 140.09% to $11.31 million, according to the company’s proxy statement.

Her salary increased to $857,323 in 2024 from $791,346 in 2023.

Simpson became CEO when John Roberts III retired on July 1. Roberts’ salary was $933,839 in 2024, down from $997,692 in 2023, but his total compensation rose by 2.38% to $8.45 million from $8.25 million, according to the proxy filed Friday (March 14). Roberts is the company’s board chairman.

John Kuhlow, chief financial officer, received a 3.97% salary increase in 2024, and his total compensation increased by 3.11% to $2.57 million. His salary increased to $539,862 from $519,231.

Nicholas Hobbs, chief operating officer and president of highway and final mile services, received a 4.16% raise in 2024, and this total compensation increased by 4.18% to $3.16 million.

Darren Field, president of intermodal, received a 4.12% raise, and his total compensation rose 3.93% to $3.04 million. Bradley Hicks, president of dedicated contract services, received a salary of $565,481 in 2024, and his total compensation was $2.80 million. Hicks was not a named executive officer before 2024.

The proxy shows the annual shareholders meeting will take place 10 a.m. April 24 at the company’s headquarters.

Following are the proposals shareholders will vote on at the annual shareholders meeting.
• Advisory vote on executive pay for 2024.
• Approving PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the company’s accounting firm for 2025.
Selecting the board of directors.

Former Walmart executive Brett Biggs, 56, is a new board nominee this year. Biggs worked in multiple leadership roles during his more than 20-year career with the Bentonville-based retailer, including as chief financial officer from 2016 until June 2022, when he transitioned to an executive adviser. He retired in January 2023. Other jobs he had included chief financial officer of Walmart International from 2014 to 2016 and of Walmart U.S. from 2012 to 2014. He was also senior vice president of operations for Sam’s Club from 2010 to 2012.

The following eight board members are running for reelection: Francesca Edwardson, Sharilyn Gasaway, Thad Hill, Bryan Hunt Jr., Persio Lisboa, Roberts, James Robo and Simpson. Terms are for one year.

According to the proxy, following shareholders own more than 5% of the company’s stock as of Dec. 31.
• Co-founder Johnelle Hunt of Rogers, 18.2%
• The Vanguard Group of Malvern, Pa., 9.5%
• BlackRock Inc. of New York, 6.4%

Shares of J.B. Hunt (NASDAQ: JBHT) closed Monday (March 17) at $149.46, up 46 cents or 0.31%. In the past 52 weeks, the stock has ranged between $147 and $200.40.