Ward Transport and Logistics Appoints Bill Ward Jr. to Serve as President and CEO

Ward Transport and Logistics has appointed a new President and Chief Executive Officer, with Bill Ward Jr. taking the helm from his father, Bill T. Ward, who retired the previous year. This transition marks the fourth generation of the Ward family to lead the company, which was established in 1931.

In unveiling a three-year strategic plan, Ward Jr. outlined four key pillars: geographical expansion for growth, profit improvement, diversification into non-LTL verticals, ongoing technology investment, and a commitment to service excellence. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of developing the ONE WARD team, ensuring a familial atmosphere with safe, trained, and content employees.

Bill Ward Jr. highlighted the company’s robust legacy, emphasizing the significant strength derived from its history. He noted the substantial emphasis placed on succession planning across all levels of the company over the past decade, a practice carried on by his great-grandfather (W.W. Ward) and grandfather (G. Bill Ward). Ward Jr. attributes the company’s thriving existence for 93 years to this commitment to succession planning.

Reflecting on his tenure, Bill T. Ward shared that the company had been his “focus and love for many years.” Recalling the technological landscape in 1982 when he started, he highlighted the absence of computers, cell phones, email, or GPS and the reliance on pagers and voice mailboxes. Acknowledging the industry changes and challenges over the years, he expressed confidence in passing the reins to a new generation of leaders and leadership at this juncture.

Expressing gratitude for his father’s dedication to the company’s future, Ward Jr. acknowledged the enduring positive impact of his father’s steady guidance during challenging periods and a data-driven mindset. He credited his father for empowering company leaders to make decisions, learn from mistakes, and cultivate personal and professional development. Ward Jr. expressed the intention to continue this approach in the fourth generation of Ward leadership, along with his brother and cousins.

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