Arkansas Best makes more management moves

It was expected that the upcoming retirement of Robert Davidson as CEO of Fort Smith-based Arkansas Best Corp. would result in several executive transitions within the large transportation holding company.

The first transition was in naming Judy R. McReynolds, senior vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer, to succeed Davidson and become Arkansas Best’s president and CEO on Jan. 1. She also will join the Arkansas Best board of directors on Jan. 1.

The next round of the transition was announced Tuesday (Dec. 5), with the appointment of J. Lavon Morton to the position of senior vice president, tax and chief audit executive; Donald W. Pearson to vice president, treasurer; and R. David Humphrey to vice president, investor relations and corporate communications.

All of these promotions will be effective on Jan. 1, according to the ABC statement.

“I have worked closely with Lavon, Don and David throughout my career at Arkansas Best,” McReynolds said in the statement. “Each of them has been a key contributor to the long-term success of Arkansas Best. As we face the on-going challenges of the current business environment, I look forward to continuing to work with them, and all of our outstanding officers and employees, to build toward the future success of Arkansas Best and ABF.”

Morton, a 13-year employee, will continue his responsibility for the company’s tax and audit functions, and will add to his job the administration of the company’s executive compensation and retirement services functions.

Pearson, with the company for 24 years, will handle the traditional treasury functions of the company including oversight of corporate banking relationships and responsibility for corporate purchasing.

Humphrey will continue to oversee Arkansas Best’s investor relations program and will add to his duties corporate media and public relations activities. Humphrey, a 26-year company veteran, began his current position as director of Investor Relations in February 1998.

The next round could include the naming of a new chief financial officer.

“Arkansas Best is currently working with an outside firm in a search for our company’s new Chief Financial Officer,” McReynolds, noted in the statement. “During this process we will be evaluating both internal and external candidates.  As we carefully look for the best person to fill this important position, the search process could take about four to six months.”