A year after spinning off from U.S. Express Enterprises, the Chattanooga-based Xpress Global Systems (XGS) has tapped a former FedEx Freight executive to serve as its new chief executive officer.
Darrel Harris, who most recently was general manager of CRST Dedicated Services Inc. in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, joined Xpress Global Systems this week along with Derek Bartley, who was appointed vice president of process improvement for the floorcovering transportation hauler.
XGS, which began 40 years ago as a long-haul shipper for the carpet industry, has expanded to 670 employees in 33 terminals, servicing over 90 percent of the U.S. population.
"Darrel is an exceptionally strong transportation executive with 20 years of LTL (less-than-truckload) experience who brings a results-oriented approach and proven track record of success," said Murad Karimi, XGS executive chairman. "We believe he will serve as an excellent chief executive in leading the company and providing a guiding voice for XGS moving forward."
Harris started his career at American Freightways, which was acquired by FedEx Freight, where he spent 17 years. The new XGS CEO and his wife and 4-year-old daughter will soon relocate to the Chattanooga area.
"It is an honor to be selected for this role," Harris said in a statement Tuesday. "We remain committed to our strategic direction for continued growth and renewing our focus on being the premier transportation provider to the floorcovering industry."