The appointment of a new CEO for J.B. Hunt on Thursday has shifted several positions on the executive team.
The company has named Shelley Simpson as its new CEO to replace John Roberts. Simpson currently serves as company president, and will step into her new role on July 1st, 2024, reported Reuters. Simpson has served as the company president since August 2022.
Roberts will assume the position of executive chairman of the board when the current executive chairman of the board, Kirk Thompson, retires. Thompson will then take on an advisory role, which is brand new to the company.
“I am excited to congratulate John and Shelley on their new leadership roles,” said Johnelle Hunt, co-founder of J.B. Hunt, to Business Wire. “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.”
“Shelley challenges us to be excellent and innovative and always in pursuit of customer value. 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,” said Roberts. “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.”