Prime Inc. promoted longtime executive Darrel Hopkins to president, the company announced last week.
Hopkins, who previously served as the company’s controller and director of leasing for Success Leasing, began his career with the Springfield, Missouri-based carrier in 1994.
He will report to Prime Inc. Founder and CEO Robert Low, who said during a drivers meeting Friday that he plans to remain in the chief executive role for many years to come.
“Darrel is an outstanding manager and leader in this company,” Low said during the meeting. “I can’t say enough good things about him. Darrel’s answered every challenge.”
Operations, reefer, flatbed and tanker will continue to report to Low, the CEO said.
Hopkins called the promotion “a little bit humbling” and “a little bit overwhelming” but said he was excited to take on the new role.
“I’m not Robert,” Hopkins said, “but I will do everything in my power to carry and help him achieve the philosophies he’s put in place, the culture he’s put in place, and the business practices he’s put in place.”
Hopkins said working with the drivers in the leasing division has “taught me what trucking is.”
“I’m not afraid to ask for help,” he said. “I’m not afraid to get guidance, because we have some really smart people in some great areas. ... I’m excited. I look forward to it. I’ll be trying to learn every day.”
David Taube contributed to this report.
