Judy McReynolds will retire as ArcBest (CCJ Top 250, No. 15) chief executive officer effective December 31, the company announced Thursday. Seth Runser, president of the Fort Smith, Ark.-based carrier and former president of ABF Freight, will succeed McReynolds as chief executive officer on January 1, 2026. Runser will retain his role as president and has also been appointed to the board effective the same date. McReynolds will continue to serve as chairman of the board.
Appointed CEO in 2010, McReynolds led the company’s transformation into a full-service, multibillion-dollar logistics powerhouse and expanded its service offerings through five strategic acquisitions. During her tenure, the company’s revenue more than doubled, and operating income grew to nearly $300 million annually.
"Under her leadership, ArcBest has been a pioneer in the industry, making smart investments and implementing innovative technology at scale to deliver customized logistics solutions and provide a premium customer experience," said Steven Spinner, lead independent director. "Her integrity, vision and deep industry expertise have created a legacy. The entire ArcBest Board is deeply grateful to Judy for her decades of service, and we wish her the very best in her well-deserved retirement. We are fortunate she will continue to provide guidance and support as chairman.”
McReynolds previously served as ArcBest’s chief financial officer and held senior roles in finance and accounting. She currently serves on the boards of OGE Energy Corp., First Bank Corp. and First National Bank and is a member of the American Trucking Associations (ATA) Board and Executive Committee. In 2023, she was inducted into the Arkansas Business Hall of Fame.
Runser began his career at ArcBest 18 years ago as a management trainee and has held leadership roles across operations, linehaul and executive management. As president of ABF Freight, Runser guided the organization from 2021 to 2024 and led it through a global pandemic, secured a five-year labor agreement and led a transformation that delivered eight quarters of record performance. As ArcBest president, he led strategic initiatives to drive profitable growth, advance premium service for customers and improve operational efficiency.
