F.T. Silfies, a regional dry bulk carrier, has appointed Jim Niness as chief operating officer. Niness has spent the past 21 years with Chemical Leaman Tank Lines, a company started by his grandfather. Chemical Leaman Tank Lines merged with Montgomery Tank Lines in 1999 to form Quality Carriers, based in Tampa, Fla. For the past five years, Niness has served as Quality Carriers’ vice president of national accounts.
“I am thrilled to have someone with Jim’s experience and in-depth knowledge of the bulk trucking industry with Silfies,” says Randy K. Sheeler, president and chief executive officer of Nazareth, Pa.-based Silfies. “I began working with Jim in 1994, long after his family sold Chemical Leaman Tank Lines and Jim was the last Niness still with the company.
“Jim has held executive positions in central scheduling, customer service, field operations, corporate operations and field sales management. Trucking is in Jim’s blood, and he will continue to assist us with structure, growth and continuous improvement. We’re growing at a significant pace, and Jim knows what a big company mentality means to a small regional carrier that is committed to our drivers and valued customer base.”
