John T. Hickerson, with nearly 30 years of experience in intermodal and trucking management and operations, has been named chairman and chief executive officer of Pacer Transport, the truck services unit of Pacer International, a nonasset-based North American third-party logistics and freight transportation provider.
Pacer Transport provides specialized and heavy-haul trucking, as well as van or trailer services. The subsidiary is part of the company’s logistics arm, Pacer Global Logistics, which provides a full portfolio of supply-chain services to manufacturers and retailers.
Hickerson served most recently as vice president of domestic intermodal marketing and sales for Burlington Northern Santa Fe, one of the nation’s largest railroads. Prior to joining BNSF in 2004, Hickerson served as president of Roadway Next Day Corp. He also spent 22 years with the Con-Way family of companies, including serving as president and CEO of Con-Way Southern Express, and as vice president and general manager of CF Truckload Services. He also is a former state vice president of the American Trucking Associations and past chairman of the Texas Motor Transportation Association.
“The appointment of John Hickerson as head of the truck services unit signals Pacer’s strategic intent to continue growing the size and scope of its various trucking operations as part of the company’s overall modal and intermodal capabilities,” says Don Orris, chairman and CEO of Concord, Calif.-based Pacer International.
Russ Oldson, who serves as president of Pacer Transport, will remain in that role, responsible for day-to-day operations and reporting to Hickerson. “John Hickerson will focus on the truck services unit’s performance and on expanding its highway capabilities through development of new retail trucking products, both organically and through potential future acquisitions,” Orris says.
