FORT SMITH, Ark., Nov. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ABF Freight System, Inc.(R), announces the appointment of James W. Keenan to vice president of sales, effective February 1, 2007. Mr. Keenan, who has been with the company for 24 years, currently serves as vice president administration and treasurer.
As vice president of sales, Mr. Keenan will lead all activity related to revenue growth through management of sales activities at all of ABF's customer service centers. He will assume the position being vacated by Arthur N. Lynch who is retiring on January 31, 2007.
"The experience Jim brings to this position will continue ABF's long standing tradition of customer service and responsiveness in our sales leadership. Jim is a person valued for his insight, intelligence, and integrity," noted ABF President and CEO Bob Davidson. "I am confident that under his leadership we will continue providing our customers the best value in the transportation industry."
Mr. Keenan came to ABF(R) with the East Texas Motor Freight acquisition in 1982, starting as a pricing analyst. He became a pricing manager in 1985 and was promoted to regional vice president sales in 1988. Mr. Keenan later served Arkansas Best Corporation as vice president sales & marketing for Clipper Exxpress before returning to ABF in 1999. He assumed his current position as vice president administration & treasurer in February 2006.
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
