ABF Freight System has announced the appointment of James W. Keenan to vice president of sales, effective Feb. 1. Keenan, who has been with the company for 24 years, currently serves as vice president of administration and treasurer. As vice president of sales, he will lead all activity related to revenue growth through management of sales activities at all of ABF’s customer service centers. He will assume the position being vacated by Arthur N. Lynch, who is retiring on Jan. 31.
“The experience Jim brings to this position will continue ABF’s longstanding tradition of customer service and responsiveness in our sales leadership,” says Bob Davidson, president and chief executive officer of Fort Smith, Ark.-based ABF. “Jim is a person valued for his insight, intelligence and integrity. I am confident that under his leadership, we will continue providing our customers the best value in the transportation industry.”
Keenan came to ABF with the East Texas Motor Freight acquisition in 1982, starting as a pricing analyst. He became a pricing manager in 1985 and was promoted to regional vice president of sales in 1988. Keenan later served Arkansas Best Corp. as vice president of sales and marketing for Clipper Exxpress before returning to ABF in 1999. He assumed his current position as vice president of administration and treasurer in February 2006.
Lynch’s retirement concludes 35 years with the company. “Art is a creative thinker whose understanding of customers and their supply chain guided us to a more consultative sales approach,” Davidson says. “Art served as mentor and friend to a great number of ABF personnel, helping to guide and shape careers. We will miss him and want to thank him for his many years of dedicated service.”
