Kevin Knight, a co-founder of Knight Transportation (CCJ Top 250, No. 3) who spent decades shaping one of the nation's largest trucking logistics companies, is retiring from Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings, the company announced Thursday, effective June 3.
David Vander Ploeg, previously the board's lead independent director, has been appointed chairman.
Knight will remain with the company as a consultant for the next two years.
"I am humbled when I reflect on what we have built together and where our company stands today," Knight said in a statement, calling the 2017 merger of Knight and Swift Transportation his "greatest collective achievement."
Knight served as chief executive officer of Knight Transportation from 1994 to 2014 before taking on the role of executive chairman. He stayed on as chairman to oversee the integration of the two trucking giants following the 2017 merger.
Post-merger, the growth of the combined company has been explosive. In 2018, Knight acquired Abilene Motor Express and in the years following its 30th anniversary in 2020, the company acquired AAA Cooper, Midwest Motor Express LTL, and a majority stake in Eleos Software. By 2023, Knight-Swift was officially listed as a Fortune 500 company and further expanded its footprint by acquiring U.S. Xpress.
Knight-Swift Chief Executive Officer Adam Miller praised Knight's industry-wide impact and his focus on safety and financial discipline.
"It cannot be overstated what Kevin has meant to our company, so many of our leaders, including myself, and so many more within our industry," Miller said. "Our leaders do not take lightly the trust placed in us to continue building on such a distinguished foundation."
Knight leadership has undergone a light makeover in recent months with Joe Vitiritto rejoining Knight Transportation in November 2025 as its president, returning to the company where he previously spent 17 years. Prior to his return, Vitiritto served as the president and CEO of PAM Transport starting in 2020, where he guided the company through major operational and organizational initiatives.
