David Parker, the high-energy founder, chairman and CEO of Covenant Transportation Group, said Friday that some upper-level executive movement at the Chattanooga-based trucking company is the opposite of him slowing down.
In fact, he said, the changes will allow him to go even harder at expanding and growing the company.
Covenant said Joey Hogan, an 18-year veteran executive at Covenant, was promoted to president of Covenant Transportation Group, a position formerly occupied by Parker. Parker will retain his chairman and CEO positions with Covenant Transportation Group.
Covenant Transportation Group is the holding company for several transportation firms, including Covenant Transport (specializing in team-driver, expedited shipping), Southern Refrigerated Transport of Arkansas and Star Transportation of Nashville, among others.
Hogan previously served as senior executive vice president of Covenant Transportation Group, and president of Covenant Transport.
Hogan's responsibilities up to this point have included planning and executing business model changes, as the trucking firm navigated the Great Recession and record low revenues. In 2011, Hogan helped implement the company's first strategic plan, which company officials say has resulted in "meaningful profit improvement."
Hogan said Friday he's thankful for the years he's already had at Covenant.
"For 18-plus years, I've been thankful and humbled to be a part of the Covenant team," he said. "I came here for a professional opportunity, as well as being part of a special group of people that value hard work, faith, and over the last few years, planning and creativity."
Hogan was also optimistic about what's to come.
"We've come a long way over the last five years, and feel there's a lot of runway left for continued improvement," he said.
Parker, meanwhile, praised Hogan and said he feels confident about the future of the company.
"I'm so excited about this for Joey and our company," he said. "He and I complement each other very well, and I see this will allow me to charge down paths to begin growing our company even more."
Parker also said he and Hogan "are in the latter stages of our careers, and the next generation of leaders here truly excites me."
Contact staff writer Alex Green at agreen@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6480.