Judy R. McReynolds, ArcBest chairman, president and CEO, has recently been honored with two notable awards and a recognition. She was named to the 2022 Forbes 50 Over 50 list, recognized as a  2022 Gartner CEO Talent Champion, and chosen for the Arkansas Business Hall of Fame Class of 2023. We believe, these recognitions demonstrate Judy’s impact and inspiration beyond the organization she leads — reaching fellow leaders and community members both in Arkansas and across the country.   

With more than 30 years of experience in the transportation and logistics industry, including 25 years with ArcBest, Judy has been the driving force behind transforming the company into a $5 billion logistics powerhouse with a full suite of supply chain solutions. Under her visionary leadership, ArcBest continues to advance its values-driven culture and its focus on innovation — further solidifying the company’s position as a leading logistics provider and place to work, and positioning Judy as a leader who empowers, motivates and drives change.  

Forbes 50 Over 50

Forbes, in partnership with Mika Brzezinski’s Know Your Value initiative, announced its second annual 50 Over 50 list, which recognizes women who are stepping into their most powerful roles in their sixth decade or later, proving that success has no age limit. The 2022 list presents 200 women across four broad categories — lifestyle, entrepreneurs, impact and money — and Judy was among the recipients of Forbes 50 Over 50: Entrepreneurs. Not everyone on the Entrepreneurs list is a founder, but all are entrepreneurial in their approach as they lead disruptive businesses across several industries, including manufacturing, technology, health care and transportation and logistics. 

Judy is trailblazing the path for ArcBest to continue experiencing one success after another. Over the last year, the company has achieved year-over-year record breaking quarters for first, second and third quarter revenues and is on track to deliver more than $5 billion in annual revenue for the first time in the company’s 100-year history. And in 2021, ArcBest completed its acquisition of Chicago-based truckload broker MoLo Solutions, positioning ArcBest as a Top 15 truckload broker in the United States with access to over 80,000 capacity providers.  

Thousands of submissions were received, and the final 2022 Forbes 50 Over 50 list was based on five main criteria: 

  • Achievements after turning 50, with a particular focus on “Over 50 Firsts.” Did this person make history in ascending to her role or founding her company?  
  • Success at scale. Founders and CEOs of private for-profit companies must drive a minimum of $10 million in annual revenue, while those leading publicly traded companies must oversee a market cap of $300 million or more.  
  • Impact. For investors and asset managers of traditional funds, a minimum of $100 million in assets under management. For socially responsible impact investors, the highlight was on those working to solve systemic inequities.  
  • First-time listees. Did this person make the 50 Over 50 in 2021? If yes, they were removed from consideration.  
  • Pay-it-forward mindset. Many of the women selected aren’t just working to advance their own careers, they’re using their platform to make life better for future generations.  

Gartner CEO Talent Champions

Gartner, Inc. recently announced the 30 Gartner CEO Talent Champions for 2022 who have led their organization to outstanding talent outcomes and set a best-in-class standard. Judy was recognized as a CEO Talent Champion during the Gartner ReimagineHR Conference in Orlando this past October.

In collaboration with leadership across the organization, Judy is dedicated to approaching talent strategy in a way that creates a positive environment where ArcBest’s core values are lived out each day and where all employees feel valued and supported — which we believe is the reason for her recognition in the inaugural Gartner CEO Talent Champions among other leaders.

All current CEOs of companies in the Russell 3000® U.S. Index as of January 1, 2020, and with a two-year minimum tenure at their company, were eligible for consideration. Gartner then used a series of sequential assessments to identify CEOs whose organizations were differentiated by financial overperformance, talent-related ESG measures, employee voice, and public commitment to the workforce’s employee value proposition (EVP) preferences. Gartner then interviewed more than half of the selected CEOs to better understand their talent priorities, and how they have used their position to effect positive change. Gartner’s analysis places the final selection of CEOs (in no particular order) in a group whose organizations represent the most talent-oriented 1% of the Russell 3000 U.S. Index over the past two years.

Arkansas Business Hall of Fame

The University of Arkansas’ Sam M. Walton College of Business established the Arkansas Business Hall of Fame to honor, preserve and perpetuate the names and outstanding accomplishments of business leaders who have brought lasting fame to Arkansas — no more than four individuals are inducted into the hall of fame each year. Judy joins three other Arkansas leaders who will be recognized for their contributions in their respective industries, and to the state of Arkansas, in an induction ceremony scheduled for February 2023.   

Building on a nearly 100-year legacy, Judy has led the charge for making ArcBest one of the best places to work in Arkansas. Since becoming CEO in 2010 through 2021, the company has seen 140% total revenue growth — and that number has continued to grow throughout 2022. Her experience, combined with a commitment to serving customers well and conducting business in a way that helps build a safer, more sustainable company and world, has made ArcBest a leader in the logistics industry and a pillar in communities across Arkansas.   

The Arkansas Business Hall of Fame Selection Committee, comprised of 11 diverse business and community leaders, reviewed nominations and selected the inductees based on criteria such as the significance of the impact made as a business leader, the concern demonstrated for improving the community and the display of ethics in all business dealings.  

Congratulations, Judy R. McReynolds!

Congratulations, Judy on each of these incredible recognitions. We appreciate your unwavering commitment to serving our company, employees, customers, industry and communities — all in pursuit of ArcBest’s mission to connect and positively impact the world through solving logistics challenges.  

About Forbes

Forbes champions success by celebrating those who have made it, and those who aspire to make it. Forbes convenes and curates the most influential leaders and entrepreneurs who are driving change, transforming business and making a significant impact on the world. The Forbes brand today reaches more than 140 million people worldwide through its trusted journalism, signature LIVE and Forbes Virtual events, custom marketing programs and 48 licensed local editions in 82 countries. Forbes Media’s brand extensions include real estate, education and financial services license agreements.  

About Gartner

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About the University of Arkansas

As Arkansas’ flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $2.2 billion to Arkansas’ economy through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines.