People Power
Seth Runser became CEO at Fort Smith-based logistics company ArcBest this year, replacing longtime CEO Judy McReynolds, but that does not mean he is holed up in a corner office. On the contrary, Runser said he strives to be an approachable, hands-on leader as he works to deliver on the company’s strategic goals.
“The people at our company work so hard,” he said. “Every role is so important to our success. I’ve worked in a lot of roles in our company, and I’ve learned that.”
An Ohio native, Runser joined ArcBest right out of college at Kent State University. He started as a management trainee in 2007 and worked his way up to becoming president of ABF Freight in 2021.
“I always personally focused on doing the best I could do in the job I was in, so I focused heavily in areas that I wasn’t proficient in,” he said. “We do yearly development plans each year for employees, and I really took those development plans seriously. Ultimately, I wouldn’t be in this position without working with some amazing leaders and mentors who helped me along the way.”
As president of ABF Freight, he helped prioritize safety while shepherding the carrier service through the COVID-19 pandemic. He also spearheaded a long-term facility enhancement and growth roadmap to increase capacity, launched an optimization roadmap to improve efficiency, and secured a five-year agreement with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
When he became president of ArcBest in 2024, he embarked on a listening tour, meeting with everyone from the management team to customers and investors to find ways to boost growth and efficiency.
In addition, he has guided the implementation of artificial intelligence solutions that have streamlined operating procedures and is preparing to launch ArcBest View, a new customer platform Runser described as an industry-leading tool centered on quoting, booking and tracking.
“We’ve made a lot of changes, but if there’s anything this industry has taught me, [it’s] that change is constant,” he said. “We know how to adapt to our customers’ preferences, and staying close to our customers is why we change. It’s been well received so far, so I’m sure there’ll be more in the future as things develop.”
As he worked with McReynolds during his transition to CEO, he also hosted an investor day last fall to announce the company’s 2028 targets and discuss ArcBest’s three strategic pillars of growth, efficiency and innovation.
Responsible for 14,000 employees across 250 locations, Runser said he aims to be a “humble servant leader” who listens to the people on the front lines and encourages employees to speak up if they disagree with an idea, regardless of his C-suite title.
“If someone leaves an interaction feeling heard, respected and valued, then I’m doing something right,” he said. “That’s kind of the way I look at it, and I also believe strongly in being a leader of presence. I like to visit our locations, see our people, our customers, spend time in each area to see what they need to be more successful.”
He encouraged those looking to follow in his footsteps to get involved in their communities, learn new skills and always do the right thing, even when no one is watching.
“I personally always treated every role like that’s where I was going to retire from, whether that was my first role at the company or where I am now,” he said. “If you’re constantly looking for the next step versus focusing being great on the role you’re in, I feel like you’re likely going to stumble. I think that’s a key point because a lot of people are thinking about, ‘How do I get to the next step?’ but if you’re great in your role, good things will generally happen, so focus on what you are responsible for today.”
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