Honoring Judy R. McReynolds
It’s not every day you get to celebrate a legacy like Judy McReynolds’. After more than 28 years of service — including 15 as ArcBest Chief Executive Officer — she will retire on December 31, 2025. Her steady leadership guided the company through economic recovery, industry disruption and strategic reinvention. Her decisions fueled our growth. Her values helped shape our culture. Her vision established the foundation we stand on today.
Judy’s career reflects a journey of transformation. When she became CEO in 2010, ArcBest was facing a $100 million operating loss in the wake of the Great Recession. The logistics industry was shifting rapidly, and the company needed a clear path forward.
She acted quickly, bringing strategic clarity, financial discipline and a strong belief in the people behind the business.
Under her leadership, ArcBest evolved from a national LTL carrier into a multibillion-dollar integrated logistics company with 14,000 employees across 250 locations. She guided the organization through major industry changes and fostered a culture of collaboration, innovation and customer-focus that continues to set us apart.
From accountant to CEO – a journey defined by purpose
Judy’s story with ArcBest began before she ever walked through the doors. As a public accountant at Ernst & Young in Little Rock, she worked closely with transportation clients, gaining insights into the industry and developing a deep appreciation for its people, energy and complexity. Among those clients was ArcBest (then known as Arkansas Best Corporation).
“The transportation industry is full of entrepreneurs who birthed their businesses,” Judy once reflected. “I had the good fortune to meet and work with many of the pioneers of our industry. The companies that were successful over the long run seemed more values-driven; they knew who they were and had a purposeful plan.”
Drawn to ArcBest’s professionalism and strong ethical foundation, Judy joined the company in 1997 as Director of Corporate Accounting. She quickly earned a reputation for her thoughtful approach, sharp insight and ability to build trust across teams.
Her leadership journey unfolded over the next three decades:
Controller (2000)
Chief Financial Officer (2006)
President and CEO (2010)
Chairman of the Board, President and CEO (2016)
Chairman and CEO (2024)
As she advanced, Judy’s leadership expanded from financial stewardship to shaping strategy, culture and long-term vision. Her expertise and mentorship became the foundation for lasting success.
Leading transformation with clarity and courage
As the newly appointed CEO, Judy embraced the economic challenge with confidence, navigating headwinds while guiding the company through one of its most critical periods. She implemented cost-saving measures and initiated a strategic evaluation of the business.
“We had to look hard at ourselves,” she recalled. “And what we saw was an opportunity to become something more.”
That evaluation resulted in a bold new vision: transforming the company into a full-service logistics partner capable of adapting and innovating to meet our customers’ evolving needs. This shift culminated in the company’s 2014 rebranding to ArcBest.
Judy’s leadership during this time was grounded in listening. The insight she gained from spending time with our people and customers shaped a strategy built around solving challenges and making it easier for customers to do business. That strategy leverages ArcBest’s expertise, technology and broad capacity network to deliver full-service logistics solutions — from LTL, truckload and expedite to fully managed supply chains. The result is a stronger, more resilient ArcBest.
“When Judy became CEO, the first conversation she had with me demonstrated her powerful belief that our greatest strength lies in our people. She made it her mission to ensure every team member felt valued and supported. Her leadership was never just about business results — it was about investing in every individual, championing growth and cultivating an environment of integrity and collaboration. That commitment has shaped our culture and defined our success. As Judy retires, her legacy of determination, authenticity and dedication to our people will continue to inspire us for years to come.” – Erin Gattis, ArcBest chief human resources officer
Leadership rooted in integrity and trust
Of ArcBest’s six core values — Creativity, Integrity, Collaboration, Growth, Excellence and Wellness — Judy’s favorite has always been Integrity. It shaped how she built trust, inspired others and led with consistency.
“We don’t have time for lack of trust to be a problem,” she shared during a ‘Breaktime with Judy’ event. “When we trust each other, we move faster. It’s vitally important in the relationships you build and in what you’re trying to accomplish.”
Throughout her tenure, Judy championed a values-driven culture. She prioritized investing in people through professional development, succession planning and leadership training.
“Judy redefined our approach to people initiatives. Her support and encouragement led to the launch of impactful programs such as ArcBest Leadership Academy, our robust employee feedback strategy, and enhanced training, career development and succession planning. She has a rare ability to connect with our people on a personal level — she is approachable, kind and truly interested in people — and that connection resonates throughout the organization. With her intellect and drive, her integrity and compassion, her courage and resilience, Judy was truly the right leader at a pivotal time for our company. Her legacy will continue to shape ArcBest for decades to come.” – Jennifer Faldon, senior manager, internal communications & employee feedback
Judy’s influence extends beyond ArcBest. She’s recognized across the industry for balancing operational excellence with a people-first mindset, setting a standard for modern leadership in a complex, fast-moving sector.
Innovation that moves the industry forward
Judy has always fostered a culture of curiosity, rooted in the belief that empowered people generate bold ideas. While technology enables growth and efficiency, she has always emphasized that it’s the people behind the solutions who drive progress.
A powerful example of this is ArcBest’s Vaux Freight Movement System™, revolutionary material handling technology that enables a trailer to be loaded or unloaded in under five minutes. When the idea was first proposed in 2015 by Shannon Lively, then vice president of technology R&D, Judy listened, asked the hard questions and committed to its development. Her support helped bring Vaux to life, ultimately earning recognition as a TIME Best Invention of 2023.
“When Vaux was just an idea, the path forward wasn’t clear. Judy’s leadership made all the difference. She listened when others might have dismissed it, encouraged transparency about risks, and gave us the freedom to explore. Her stage-gate approach balanced bold innovation with financial responsibility. She broke down silos, encouraged collaboration, and built a culture where ideas could grow. Because of her leadership, Vaux became a revolutionary solution that has advanced ArcBest’s position in the industry.” –Shannon Lively, retired vice president of technology R&D at ArcBest Technologies
Vaux has since expanded into a full suite of material handling solutions. These innovations, along with technologies like City Route Optimization and Dynamic Pricing, reflect the culture Judy has championed — one that encourages creative thinking and challenges the status quo.
Today, ArcBest invests $175 million annually in technology and innovation, with a focus on strategic projects and transformative initiatives. These investments have strengthened ArcBest’s position as a trusted logistics partner, enabling us to deliver smarter, faster and more flexible solutions to our customers.
A legacy of growth and impact
Judy’s tenure as CEO is marked by extraordinary achievements and industry honors. In addition to individual recognition, her leadership helped ArcBest earn accolades from Forbes, Newsweek, USA Today, Women in Trucking and many others.
Some notable milestones include:
Judy honored as Women in Trucking Association Distinguished Woman in Logistics in 2019
Judy named Arkansas Business Executive of the Year in 2022
ArcBest’s annual revenue more than doubled — surpassing $3 billion by 2018 and $5 billion by 2022
Judy inducted into the Arkansas Business Hall of Fame in 2023
ArcBest launched revolutionary Vaux Freight Movement System in 2023
ArcBest named a 2023 Inc. Power Partner
ArcBest celebrated our 100th anniversary in 2023
Judy named Arkansas Money & Politics Influencer of the Year in 2024
ArcBest ranked No. 95 on Forbes Best Large Employers list in 2024
These accomplishments and others reflect Judy’s focus on building long-term value and her disciplined execution.
“Judy McReynolds has always set the standard for excellence, leading with integrity and contagious enthusiasm. Her genuine praise and positivity created a culture where employees felt seen, valued and inspired. Though she often credits the people of ArcBest for its success, the truth is, her example has been our compass. Judy energized the company, and we’re proud to follow the path she’s paved with purpose and heart.” –Sally Bracken, treasury clerk and ArcBest employee for 54 years
Looking ahead with confidence and gratitude
As Judy steps into her next chapter, she will continue serving as Chairman of the ArcBest Board of Directors, supporting our leadership team as they advance ArcBest’s mission to connect and positively impact the world through solving logistics challenges.
Her confidence in Seth Runser, ArcBest’s president and CEO-elect, is strong.
“I’m fully confident in Seth and his ability to build on our success,” Judy said. “Taking care of our employees and customers has always been the foundation of ArcBest, and it’s a principal Seth deeply believes in. He listens to understand what people need and turns that insight into solutions that create lasting value. His forward-thinking perspective and results-driven approach will ensure we keep advancing and delivering for those we serve. I’m certain ArcBest’s best days are still to come.”
Seth, who has worked closely alongside Judy for years, shared:
“Judy has been an incredible example of what it means to lead with integrity and vision. She’s taught me how to navigate complexity with clarity, how to listen intently, and how to lead with strength and compassion. Her influence will stay with me as I step into this role, and I’m honored to carry the torch.”
Our heartfelt thanks
Thank you, Judy, for your leadership, your support of our people, your courage to lead through change, and your integrity that never wavered. We’ll carry forward the heart and purpose you’ve shown by putting people first and staying true to the values that have shaped ArcBest.
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