Shelley Simpson, president of J.B. Hunt Transport Services, has been named the 2023 Influential Woman in Trucking by the Women In Trucking Association (WIT). This award, sponsored by Daimler Truck North America (DTNA), recognizes the outstanding accomplishments of female leaders in the trucking industry.
The announcement was made during the WIT Accelerate! Conference & Expo in Dallas, following a panel discussion on Unstoppable Women in Trucking.
The other exceptional finalists for the award were Tori Blake, CFO and co-owner of Western Logistics Express and WLX, and Megan Ferguson, VP of end-to-end delivery acceleration at Walmart.
“It’s a privilege for Women In Trucking to recognize Shelley Simpson as our 2023 Influential Woman in Trucking award winner,” said Jennifer Hedrick, WIT president and CEO. “Shelley’s passion and leadership for this field, including her commitment to expanding gender diversity in transportation, have been evident throughout her nearly 30-year career.”
In a show of support, Angela Lentz, chief people officer at DTNA, champions Simpson and her fellow nominees.
“On behalf of Daimler Truck North America, our congratulations to all of the remarkable finalists for the 2023 Influential Woman in Trucking award who have and continue to work tirelessly to create expanded opportunities for women in our industry,” Lentz said. “In addition, I want to congratulate Shelly Simpson for being named the 2023 Influential Woman in Trucking. Her amazing and vast career, commitment to others and impact on trucking are all impressive accomplishments worthy of this unique recognition.”
Simpson’s impressive career at J.B. Hunt has seen her go from an hourly customer service representative to the company’s president. Throughout her time at the company, she has held various positions and taken on numerous responsibilities.
In 2007, Simpson became the president of Integrated Capacity Solutions, a business unit that she helped establish. She then took on sales and marketing executive roles in 2011 and became the chief marketing officer. In 2014, she assumed the position of president of J.B. Hunt’s truckload business segment.
In 2017, Simpson was appointed as the chief commercial officer, leading the strategic direction of marketing, sales, customer experience, and product development. Additionally, she played a significant role in the global commercialization of J.B. Hunt’s technology platform, J.B. Hunt 360°.
Not only has Simpson been a trailblazer within the company, but she has also made a name for herself within the industry and the community. She serves on the board of multiple organizations, including the Mercy Health Foundation and the Dean’s Executive Advisory Board for the Sam M. Walton College of Business. Simpson has received several prestigious awards, including the Distinguished Woman in Logistics award and the ATHENA Woman of the Year award.
In 2022, Simpson took on the role of president and now oversees all aspects of the company’s operations. She continues to make a difference in the industry and has been recognized as a top influencer in her field.
Simpson’s journey started in Russellville, Arkansas, and she holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Arkansas. She resides in Rogers, Arkansas, with her husband and three children.
Source: The Trucker
