J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. announced the appointment of Shelley Simpson as chief executive officer 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. 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. The Board of Directors appointed Shelley Simpson, 52, as company chief executive officer, effective July 1, 2024, and nominated her for election to the Board at the company?s upcoming annual shareholders? meeting in April 2024.

Simpson?s career at J.B. Hunt spans nearly 30 years, where she served in a wide range of executive leadership roles focused on delivering on the company?s vision to create the most efficient transportation network in North America. In 2007, Simpson helped found Integrated Capacity Solutions (ICS) and was named president of the business unit. She assumed sales and marketing executive responsibilities in 2011 as chief marketing officer and took on additional leadership roles in 2014 when she was named president of J.B. Hunt?s Truckload business segment.

She was named chief commercial officer and president of Highway Services in 2017 and led the strategic direction and launch of the J.B. Hunt 360° platform. In 2020, Simpson added responsibilities for people and human resources, and was named president in 2022.