Averitt Express has promoted from within to replace VPs leaving amid a string of retirements from the LTL carrier.
David Fussell, former director of dedicated sales, has become VP of dedicated sales, following the retirement of VP Walt Gray, the carrier announced last week. Fussell joined the company in 1991 and had served as director of the dedicated unit since 2018.
“David’s extensive experience and leadership have been instrumental in expanding our dedicated services,” said Kent Williams, executive vice president of sales and marketing at Averitt. “We look forward to seeing continued growth under his leadership in this role.”
Scott Harris, director of the carrier’s Houston service center, will oversee the carrier’s sales strategy in Texas, following the retirement of longtime executive Larry Vannatta, according to a Dec. 2 press release.
Harris, who joined Averitt in 2013 as the company’s Oklahoma City service center director, served as the on-site manager for one of its dedicated accounts in Vance, Alabama, for six years. He took over as Houston service center director in 2022.
"Scott’s extensive experience and leadership qualities make him an excellent choice to follow Larry’s accomplished tenure," Williams said. "We are confident in his ability to continue strengthening customer relationships and driving sales growth throughout Texas.”
Based in Cookeville, Tennessee, Averitt has 18 locations within its freight distribution network in Texas, including service centers, port facilities and distribution and fulfillment centers, according to its website. Notably, the LTL carrier upgraded and expanded its San Antonio, Texas, service center in October, adding an 85,000-square-foot distribution and fulfillment warehouse to the site.
Three Averitt VPs have retired in recent months. VP of International Solutions Charlie McGee handed the reins to Richard Egan in November.
