Pilot Flying J President Leaves Company

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Tom Biery/Trans Pixs

Pilot Flying J President Mark Hazelwood has left the company, which has not announced a successor to the executive who was in charge last year during a fuel-rebate investigation.

The Knoxville, Tennessee, truck stop chain did not make a formal announcement about Hazelwood’s departure, which was confirmed by two outside sources. Hazelwood was promoted to president in 2012.

There was no indication whether Hazelwood quit or was asked to leave the company controlled by Jimmy Haslam, who also owns the NFL’s Cleveland Browns. Court documents show Hazelwood was present when plans were discussed.

In April of last year, the FBI raided the headquarters of the truck stop chain, which has 550 locations, looking into allegations that promised rebates weren’t paid. The investigation showed that the company primarily did not pay the rebates to diesel purchasers from smaller trucking companies. Since the raid, 10 executives have pleaded guilty in connection with the probe.



The investigation led to a settlement offer that has cost the company $84.9 million in payments to as many as 5,500 trucking companies. It was approved by a federal judge in Arkansas late last year.

Other fleets didn’t participate in the settlement, and Pilot Flying J estimates that 95% of claims have been resolved.