J.B. Hunt Announces Shelley Simpson as Chief Executive Officer, President

J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. (NASDAQ: JBHT), one of the largest supply chain solutions providers in North America, announced today the appointment of Shelley Simpson as chief executive officer and president of the company, along with her nomination for election to the company’s Board of Directors. Simpson has served as the company’s president since August 1, 2022.

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J.B. Hunt Announces Shelley Simpson as Chief Executive Officer, President (Photo: Business Wire)

The company also announced that Kirk Thompson, current executive chairman of the Board, along with Wayne Garrison, will both retire from the company’s Board of Directors and will take newly formed Board advisory roles as Honorary Founding Directors.

John N. Roberts, III, outgoing chief executive officer, will assume the role of executive chairman of the Board upon Kirk Thompson’s retirement from the Board. The changes are part of the company’s succession planning and Board development to support future growth and shareholder confidence.

“I am so happy to know Kirk and Wayne will remain involved as advisors beyond their service as directors, and I am excited to congratulate John and Shelley on their new leadership roles,” said Johnelle Hunt, co-founder of J.B. Hunt. “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.”

The Board of Directors appointed Shelley Simpson, 52, as company chief executive officer and president, effective July 1, 2024, and nominated her for election to the Board at the company’s upcoming annual shareholders’ meeting in April 2024. The Board also approved the retirements of Thompson and Garrison at the end of their current terms and approved their appointment as non-voting Honorary Founding Directors.

"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.”