FORT SMITH, Ark., Nov. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Arthur N. Lynch, vice president of sales for ABF Freight System, Inc.(R), will retire January 31, 2007, concluding 35 years with the company.
"Art is a creative thinker whose understanding of customers and their supply chain guided us to a more consultative sales approach. Art served as mentor and friend to a great number of ABF personnel, helping to guide and shape careers," commented ABF President and CEO Bob Davidson. "We will miss him and want to thank him for his many years of dedicated service."
Mr. Lynch joined the company as a management trainee at the Chicago terminal in 1971. Upon completion of training, he became an operations supervisor in Chicago and was promoted to sales representative and then branch manager in Moline, Ill., in 1976. He was named regional vice president of sales in 1981. He was promoted to vice president of sales in 2000.
Mr. Lynch and his wife Gayle plan to return to the Chicago area and spend time with their children and grandchildren.
James W. Keenan, who has 24 years experience with ABF(R), will assume the position vacated by Mr. Lynch. Previously, Mr. Keenan served as vice president administration & treasurer for ABF.
Established in 1923, ABF is one of North America's oldest and most reputable motor carriers. Recognized as best-in-class for safety, security, technology and freight-handling standards, ABF has a distinguished record of service. In four of the past five years, ABF has earned either the Excellence in Claims/Loss Prevention Award, the Excellence in Security Award, or both from the American Trucking Associations Safety and Loss Prevention Management Council. ABF is the only five-time winner of the ATA President's Trophy for Safety and the only carrier to earn both the Excellence in Claims/Loss Prevention Award and the Excellence in Security Award in the same year. ABF also was recognized by CIO magazine for innovative excellence in information technology, earning the 2005 CIO Enterprise Value Award for the transportation industry as well as a spot on the CIO Top 100 Companies list in both 2005 and 2004.
ABF operates an extensive network of customer service centers and distribution facilities strategically located throughout North America. Through this network, ABF provides comprehensive shipping services to all 50 states, Canada, Mexico, Guam and Puerto Rico. Globally, the carrier serves 250 ports in more than 130 countries. ABF is certified as an Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) carrier by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, as well as a Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) and Free and Secure Trade (FAST) carrier to and from Canada. Via its TimeKeeper(R) service, ABF provides guaranteed service for expedited or time-definite shipments.
ABF is the largest subsidiary of Arkansas Best Corporation .
Contact: Mr. Danny Loe, director of marketing & public relations
Telephone: (479) 785-8803
