Penske Logistics appoints industry veteran Jeff Jackson as its new president
Penske Logistics recently appointed Jeff Jackson as its new president in advance of the planned retirement of Marc Althen. Jackson is a long-time Penske leader with more than 28 years of experience in the transportation industry.
“We’re very pleased to have such an experienced operations leader like Jeff at the helm of our logistics business,” said Brian Hard, president of Penske Transportation Solutions. “Jeff’s strong operations and leadership background, breadth of experience with customers, and industry expertise give us great confidence as he takes on his new role.”
Throughout his career, Jeff Jackson has held numerous operations management and leadership roles with Penske Logistics as executive VP of operations, dedicated contract carriage (DDC); senior VP of operations, DCC; and senior VP, operations of the eastern region as well as prior roles within Penske Truck Leasing including area VP—Northeast, and district manager in Tampa and Memphis. Prior to Penske acquiring Rollins Leasing Corp., he also held positions as rental manager and branch manager in Atlanta, Jacksonville, and Tampa.
“I’m honored and thrilled to take on this new opportunity and to work with such a dynamic leadership team and group of associates,” Jackson said. “We have built an incredible logistics and supply chain business and see tremendous opportunities ahead for us.”
J.B. Hunt's chief sustainability officer retires after 31 years of service, Woodruff assumes EVP of safety, sustainability, and maintenace
J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. recently announced that Craig Harper will retire from his current duties as chief sustainability officer effective Dec. 31, and Greer Woodruff will assume responsibilities as executive VP of safety, sustainability, and maintenance effective Jan. 1, 2024.
Harper’s career with J.B. Hunt spanned 31 years leading multiple key services, operations, and initiatives. In just four years after joining the company, he was named chief safety officer. In 1997, he was appointed chief operations officer and held that title until 2020. In 2021, Harper was named chief sustainability officer and has since led the company’s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint, including initiatives involving electric and autonomous vehicles and other emerging technologies.
In his new position, Woodruff will lead the company's sustainability initiatives, further its operational safety excellence and corporate security, and oversee its equipment, maintenance, and driver personnel departments.
Woodruff has dedicated his 36-year career at J.B. Hunt to building the strong safety culture the company has today. He joined J.B. Hunt in 1987 as a management trainee, working to centralize driver recruitment and application processing before moving into the company’s safety department to help establish truck driver training programs across the country. He has held multiple roles within the company, most recently serving as senior VP of safety, security, and driver personnel where he kept J.B. Hunt’s fleet of over 25,000 drivers up to date on the latest safety, compliance, and technology best practices, among other responsibilities.
Former TravelCenters of America CEO and managing director strengthens Nikola’s leadership team
Nikola recently announced the appointment of Jonathan Pertchik to its board of directors. With over two decades of leadership, Pertchik served as the CEO and managing director of TravelCenters of America and has demonstrated success in various capacities in real estate, investment groups, and in startup environments.
“(Pertchik's) wealth of experience in finance and customer service will be a tremendous asset as we venture into 2024,” said Steve Shindler, chairman of Nikola’s board of directors. “We look forward to leveraging his insights, acumen, and industry relationships as we introduce our hydrogen fuel cell electric truck to the marketplace and support our customers.”
Before his time at TA, Pertchik led major transformations at several other companies, including WCI Communities, ST Residential, and Intown Suites. He navigated these changes for companies owned or controlled by notable investor groups, such as Starwood Capital Group, Richard LeFrak, and Perry Capital. Additionally, Pertchik has served as a director for startups and large public companies, including AV Homes.
“I’m thrilled to join Nikola’s board of directors and be a part of a mission-driven team,” Pertchik said. “I’m eager to contribute to the company’s journey as it continues to develop zero-emissions vehicle and infrastructure solutions and pioneer cutting-edge technology.”
Collin Parker appointed as VP of sales at Hutchens Industries
Hutchens Industries recently appointed Collin Parker as the VP of sales. In this role, Parker will spearhead the company's sales strategies and metrics, driving growth and expansion across key markets.
With 23 years of experience at Hutchens, Parker brings a wealth of expertise to his new position. His understanding of Hutchens' products and customer-centric approach aligns with Hutchens Industries' commitment to delivering solutions that exceed customer expectations.
Previously, Parker was an auto mechanic in the army, after which he joined Hutchens as a draftsman, working most recently as engineering project manager. His ability to keep projects on track and his strategic approach to market expansion makes him an invaluable addition to the Hutchens Industries executive team.
"My leadership style is to 'lead from the front,' and I plan to be out where the action is, supporting the sales team," Parker said. "Sales is always challenging. Luckily, we have a first-class sales team, and I'm looking forward to streamlining our process and supporting our sales staff."
Former FMCSA chief counsel and current Clean Freight Coalition executive director joins NMFTA as chief strategy officer
The National Motor Freight Traffic Association recently welcomed Jim Mullen as chief strategy officer. Mullen joins the organization as a consultant with nearly 20 years of broad executive experience in the trucking industry and currently provides advocacy, strategy, policy, and legal services for transportation stakeholders as the founder and president of Mullen Consulting LLC.
As the current executive director of the Clean Freight Coalition, Mullen has formed various relationships with industry authorities across the transportation and supply chain industry. During his time as the acting administrator and chief counsel of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration from 2018 to 2020, Mullen rendered legal policy and direction to all FMCSA headquarters and field offices.
In his new role with NMFTA, Mullen will be responsible for partnering with vehicle manufacturers, telematics companies, federal agencies, and supply chain leaders in the development of digital standards, trucking cybersecurity research, and best practices to protect one of the country’s most critical infrastructures.
"Recognizing the crucial role NMFTA plays in setting standards and proactively uniting the industry, I saw a unique opportunity to contribute,” Mullen said. “My experience at CFC, FMCSA, Werner Enterprises, and TuSimple, coupled with my passion for autonomous vehicles, perfectly aligned with this role. I applaud NMFTA for creating a hybrid working model, and I am eager to tackle the challenges ahead. With my regulatory expertise, I firmly believe we can establish the necessary standards to propel the industry forward."
