Tim Thorne will be stepping down as president of ABF Freight in 2021. Thorne will be retiring on June 30, following a 31-year career with the Fort Smith-based supply chain logistics company.
He will be succeeded by Seth Runser, ABF vice president-linehaul operations. Runser will be promoted to ABF chief operating officer on Feb. 1 and will become ABF president on July 1.
“Over the past three decades, Tim has made significant and meaningful contributions to our company as ArcBest has expanded and diversified to meet customers’ needs,” ArcBest chairman, president and CEO Judy R. McReynolds said in a statement. “He has approached each role with integrity, enthusiasm and excellence. I thank Tim for his dedication and longtime service to our organization, and I wish him, his wife Diane and their family the very best. He will be greatly missed.”
Thorne joined ABF in 1990 as a supervisor assistant, rising through the company’s ranks to serve as a service center manager in Alabama, Tennesee and Pennsylvania and serving a as a regional vice president of operations in Utah and as vice president of linehaul operations. He became president in October 2014.
“We have the very best people in the business, and it has been a great honor to serve as president of ABF,” Thorne said.
Runser joined ABF in 2007 as a management trainee and served in multiple, roles including operations supervisor, regional training specialist, service center manager and regional vice president of operations.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Kent State University.
“Seth is a goal-oriented and values-driven leader who has a deep knowledge of our freight operations,” McReynolds said. “He will work to facilitate growth and ensure our ABF team continues its strong commitment to quality and providing a great customer experience. Tim and Seth will work closely in the coming months to ensure a smooth transition, and I am confident Seth will lead the team to continued success.”
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