Senior vice president J. Lavon Morton will retire after 20 years with ArcBest Corp. of Fort Smith.
Morton, who was the company's risk and chief audit executive, will step down Dec. 31. ArcBest announced it will replace Morton with two people: Laura Bogner will become vice president of internal audit; and Cheryl Harper will become vice president of tax.
Barry Hunter, vice president of safety, administration and treasury of ArcBest’s ABF Freight division, will become vice president of financial services following Morton’s retirement.
Morton earned $959,226 in total compensation in 2015 and $924,725 in 2014. Morton joined ArcBest in 1996 as assistant treasurer after 24 years with Ernst & Young, and he has been senior vice president at ArcBest since 2010.
"Lavon has been an integral part of the company, leading all internal audit, risk management and tax-planning efforts," ArcBest Chairman and CEO Judy McReynolds said. "His hard work and dedication have benefited ArcBest, and he will be greatly missed."
Bogner joined ArcBest in 2000 as an internal audit supervisor. She was promoted to director of internal audit in 2011.
Harper joined ArcBest in 2010 as manager of tax and was promoted to director of corporate tax in 2015.