Heartland CEO Russell Gerdin Retires

Heartland Express said Friday that CEO Russell Gerdin, 70, has retired due to health reasons.

He is succeed by son Michael Gerdin, 41, who was also named chairman, the truckload carrier said in a statement.

Michael Gerdin has been president since May 2006 and acting chairman since January of this year. Russell Gerdin will be recognized as Chairman Emeritus.

Heartland Express is ranked No. 45 on the Transport Topics 100 listing of U.S. and Canadian for-hire trucking companies.