Dive Brief:
- Old Dominion Freight Line shareholders elected information technology executive Debra King to the LTL’s board of directors last week, according to a May 21 securities filing.
- Her election follows the retirement of Leo Suggs, a longtime trucking leader whose experience included time at the helm of Overnite Corp. and UPS Freight.
- “Director succession presents an opportunity for the Company to expand and replace key skills and experience and bring fresh perspectives to the boardroom,” the company said in a proxy statement, noting King’s background in executive management and IT.
Dive Insight:
King has worked for decades in IT, serving as chief technology officer of Bunge and leadership roles in tech at Corteva Agriscience and Pfizer, according to her LinkedIn.
“The Board will benefit from Ms. King's more than 20 years of information technology leadership experience,” the company said in the proxy statement before the company’s annual meeting.
King is slated to join medical device and equipment manufacturer Stryker Corp. in June, according to the Old Dominion securities filing.
Meanwhile, Old Dominion will retain its board framework, which includes a lead independent director who acts as a liaison between the other directors and the company’s executive chairman and CEO, according to the proxy statement.
Suggs had held the role of lead independent director since December 2018 and announced his retirement plans in December 2024. He also chaired the board’s talent and compensation committee.
Similar board turnovers have occurred recently at other companies within the industry:
- Commercial Vehicle Group board Chairman Robert Griffin retired May 15
- Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Director Robert Synowicki Jr., who served as finance committee chair, also chose not to continue another term.
- Werner Enterprises’ directors appointed engineering consulting executive M. Gayle Packer to fill a board vacancy, per a May 14 news release.
