John R. "Randy" Rogers was named president and chief executive officer of USA Truck, becoming the Fort Smith-based company's third leader since April.
USA Truck announced Rogers' appointment Wednesday. The 53-year-old will replace Tom Glaser, who was named chief executive officer in July. Glaser, 65, became interim chief operating officer in April when CEO John Simone took a leave of absence for medical reasons. Glaser was elevated to CEO when Simone resigned three months later.
USA Truck Chairman Bob Peiser said the company began a search for a long-term CEO a few months ago after Glaser indicated he didn't intend to remain in the role for long.
Glaser will remain with the company as a board member and has been named vice chairman.
"Tom decided that he didn't want to stay for that long a time and felt that it was important to gain permanent leadership here," Peiser said. "If he was going to stay, he would probably stay a year or two and better to get somebody in here sooner rather than later. The board agreed with that, so we started a search that resulted in our finding [Rogers]."
Rogers takes charge of USA Truck after previously being president of Energy and Chemicals Americas for DHL Supply Chain. He was responsible for three sub-segments -- energy and mining, polymers and specialty chemicals -- with operations in the United States and Canada.
Rogers joined DHL Supply Chain in 2000 and held a number of regional leadership roles. Before his time with the company, he was country manager for CSX Transportation Inc.'s Mexican subsidiary and also worked in the role of manager of international railroad marketing for CSX Transportation.
"We were looking for somebody who was a broad executive," Peiser said. "Somebody that was more than just a trucking executive because this business has a very strong brokerage business, as well, that we are growing and we want to grow further. So we wanted somebody who could see beyond trucking and take this entire company to a different level."
Rogers, a Maryland native, spent 17 years of his career overseas before returning to the U.S. about three years ago. He researched USA Truck's history, including its challenges, while considering the position, and said he believes the company has room for growth.
"That's something I just couldn't turn down. I said it's the right job at the right time, and I'm up for the challenge," Rogers said.
Peiser commended Glaser for his stint as CEO, saying the longtime trucking executive "sacrificed a lot to do what he was doing." Glaser was a member of the USA Truck board before moving into the management role in April.
"When I came in, it was a temporary seat because we felt John was coming back," Glaser said. "When we found out John wasn't coming back, I took the seat on a full-time basis. But even then, a full-time basis was going to be a year, maybe two years, because I've been down this road before."
USA Truck underwent numerous changes during Glaser's six months as CEO, including a restructuring of the executive team. Among the changes, Glaser hired Martin Tewari as president of USA Truck's trucking division, Gary Nichols as vice president of Mexico operations, and Billy Cartright as vice president for safety and recruiting.
Glaser was behind other initiatives, including the company's shift in hiring veteran drivers over inexperienced ones. USA Truck recently raised driver pay, announced a program that would give drivers their choice for home time and another allowing them to travel with pets.
Glaser said the company's goal was to find strong leadership for the truckload business, which it has accomplished with the new executives. He said USA Truck wants to make sure it has a strong sustainable truckload business so it can be complemented with its expanding brokerage business.
"We've all got smiles on our faces," Glaser said about the change. "The future is bright, and we've got a strong base to build from. I think everybody believes that, and we're excited about the future."
Business on 01/14/2016