As part of planned succession, J.B. Hunt executive Terry Matthews to retire in April

Terry Matthews, executive vice president and president of intermodal for Lowell-based carrier J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc., will retire April 1, 2020, according to a news release.

On that date, Darren Field will assume Matthews’ role. The intermodal segment is J.B. Hunt’s largest. The segment accounted for 53% of the carrier’s operating income and 52% of its revenue in the third quarter.

The leadership change has been in the works for the past several quarters, the release shows. The carrier announced Tuesday (Dec. 3) the planned succession in its intermodal segment.

“We believe this type of management succession with proper planning and ample time for the team to work together with new members is vital to a smooth and effective transition, as we have set up with Terry and Darren,” said John Roberts, president and CEO of J.B. Hunt.

Matthews, 60, joined the company in 1986 as a national accounts manager, according to the carrier’s 2019 proxy statement. Before J.B. Hunt, he worked as a national accounts manager for North American Van Lines. Field, 48, serves as executive vice president of intermodal. He joined J.B. Hunt in 1994.