ArcBest Corporation Announces Retirement Of ABF Freight President

ArcBest Corporationsm ARCB today announced that Roy M. Slagle, ABF Freight System, Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer, has retired as of Wednesday, October 15, after 37 years of service with the company. Slagle is being succeeded as ABF Freightsm President by Tim Thorne, who most recently served as VP – Linehaul Operations, effective immediately. A 24-year veteran of ABF Freight, Thorne brings a strong background in operations and field management to help lead the company into its next era of success. ABF Freight, one of the nation's premier providers of less-than-truckload shipping, celebrated its 90th anniversary in 2013. "Roy's retirement is well-deserved after nearly four decades at ABF Freight," said ArcBest President and Chief Executive Officer Judy R. McReynolds. "Over the years, Roy has helped guide ABF Freight through numerous challenges and successes. We wish him and his wife Karen all the best as they enjoy the fruits of retirement." Prior to becoming president of ABF Freight, Slagle served as Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing of ABF Freight. He also served as Vice President – Administration and Treasurer, Vice President and Treasurer, and Regional Vice President of Sales. His early years with the company included a variety of field operations positions in Ohio and Pennsylvania. Thorne joined ABF Freight in Orlando, Florida, in 1990 after serving as a captain in the U.S. Army. He managed several branches including Florence and Decatur, Alabama; Nashville, Tennessee; and Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Until 2013 he was Regional Vice President of Operations based in the Salt Lake City, Utah area. "I speak for all the ArcBest companies when I welcome Tim into his new role at ABF Freight," McReynolds said. "Tim is a highly regarded leader with a strong customer focus and deep knowledge of our freight operations across the country. As we look for ways to better serve our customers and deliver easily accessible solutions for all their supply chain needs, I am confident Tim will work tirelessly to ensure the ABF Freight experience exceeds their expectations." Tim holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Oklahoma and a Master of Business Administration from the University of North Alabama. He serves on the United Way of Fort Smith board of directors and the Regional Intermodal Transportation Authority executive board.