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Chip Watkins Resigns as CEO of FedEx National LTL
Robert Simons Promoted to Post, Company Says
FedEx National LTL, FedEx Corp.’s long-haul less-than-truckload unit, said that Chip Watkins, the division’s president, has resigned for personal reasons.
Watkins will be succeeded by Robert Simons, who previously served as senior vice president of operations for FedEx National LTL.FedEx acquired Lakeland, Fla.-based Watkins Motor Lines last year for $780 million and then in September rebranded the unit as FedEx National LTL , with Chip Watkins as its chief. (Click here for previous coverage.)“This is a personal decision based on family and professional commitments that require my attention at this time,” Watkins said in a statement released by FedEx.“I am very pleased with the progress we made at FedEx National LTL. The company has a solid value proposition, and I am confident that the FedEx National LTL management team will ensure that the strategy is executed successfully,” he said.Watkins reported Patrick Reed, executive chief operating officer of FedEx Freight. Reed has responsibility for all FedEx Freight LTL operations in North America.