Executive Summary: McReynolds works to ‘stay aware’ of what’s going on around her

Editor’s note: The Fort Smith Metro Daily News Executive Summary series is focused on looking under the title, so to speak, of a business, government, and non-profit executive in the Fort Smith metro.

Judy McReynolds, chairman and CEO of Fort Smith-based ArcBest, has more than 30 years of experience in the transportation and logistics industry, including 28 years with the company. In 2010, she was named ArcBest president and CEO, and in 2016, she was elected board chair.

She moved to ArcBest chair and CEO in August 2024, overseeing the company’s long-term strategy, including its innovation efforts. McReynolds is the only member of the company’s senior management who serves on the board.

McReynolds also sits on several outside boards, including OGE Energy Corp., First Bank Corp. and First National Bank. She is a member of the Wall Street Journal CEO Council and of the American Trucking Associations (ATA) board and executive committee. She recently retired as chair of the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) after eight years.

Her other contributions include being a member of the Dean’s Executive Advisory Board of the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas, and as a director of the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith Foundation Board. She was inducted into the Arkansas Business Hall of Fame in February 2023. McReynolds holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Oklahoma.

Following are McReynolds’ responses to the Executive Summary questions.

• What was your first job and what did it teach you?
During college, a friend asked me if I was interested in taking over her role as an assistant at a prominent law firm in Norman, Okla. One of the attorneys, Harold Heiple, became instrumental in my career starting off well. He was a mentor and encourager, telling me I could strive for something bigger. I listened to him, gathered my courage, and went to work for Arthur Andersen (a Big 8 accounting firm at the time) to begin my professional career.

• What is a principle or value on which you never compromise?
Integrity is a cornerstone of my personal principles. My parents raised me with a strong moral foundation and emphasized the importance of doing what’s right — as the saying goes, even when no one is watching. Integrity is also one of ArcBest’s core values, and it’s embedded in our culture.

• What’s one belief you held strongly 10+ years ago that you’ve changed your mind about?
More than 10 years ago, the focus was on transforming ArcBest into a leading logistics company. Implementing a customer-led strategy was considered a priority. While this did ring true, given the various industry, geopolitical, and other macro changes encountered in the last decade, it’s evident that our strategy must also be flexible, adaptable and responsive to change in order to thrive.

• If you could change one thing about the Fort Smith metro, what would it be?
An issue that plagues many areas: the need for enhanced, consistent restaurant service.

• How do you remain responsive and adaptable amid rapidly evolving expectations or business/workplace conditions?
In times of change or disruption, it’s critical to stay aware of what’s going on around you. Listening is a requirement for staying informed so you can make the best decisions, and at ArcBest we stay focused on what our people, customers, and other stakeholders are saying. We pay close attention to what’s happening in the macro environment, and how our industry is reacting. This helps to anticipate needs or challenges early on, so we can implement plans or develop new ones as conditions change.

• What’s something people often get wrong about you?
Although I’m busy, I’m approachable and love talking to people.

• What human relationship has had the most impact on you and why?
My relationship with my husband, Lance. My role at ArcBest is demanding and his support enables success.

• If you had a walk-up song – like in baseball – what would it be and why?
“Happy” by Pharrell Williams. We used this song at an event where we announced our company’s name change to ArcBest and I’ve always loved it! It’s upbeat and effortlessly lifts your spirits every time.