Erin K. Gattis Named Vice President - Human Resources of Arkansas Best Corporation

FORT SMITH, Ark., Sept. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Arkansas Best Corporation (Nasdaq: ABFS) today announced the appointment of Erin K. Gattis to the position of Vice President – Human Resources, effective October 1, 2011.  Ms. Gattis, who has been with Arkansas Best for nearly 13 years, currently serves as Arkansas Best's Chief of Staff.  

"As part of our strategy for the growth and diversification of Arkansas Best, Erin will build the corporate human resources ("HR") function for our company," said Judy R. McReynolds, Arkansas Best President and Chief Executive Officer.  "Many of the traditional elements of HR are appropriately being performed by our subsidiary companies.  However, in her new position, Erin will be responsible for establishing a corporate function that provides oversight and additional HR support for our subsidiaries.  Erin's group will also serve the much-needed HR roles of recruiting, talent acquisition and on-boarding personnel into our organization."    

Ms. Gattis began her career at Arkansas Best in February 1999 and has held various positions in the areas of human resources, benefits, retirement services, corporate governance and executive compensation.  She began her current position as Chief of Staff to Ms. McReynolds in January 2010.  "Erin has spent her entire career with our company working in all aspects of human resources," said Ms. McReynolds.  "She is broadly qualified and experienced to lead our corporate human resources efforts as our company pursues a period of future growth."

Arkansas Best Corporation, headquartered in Fort Smith, Arkansas, is a transportation holding company.  ABF Freight System, Inc., Arkansas Best's largest subsidiary, has been in continuous service since 1923.  ABF has evolved from a local less-than-truckload (LTL) motor carrier into a global provider of customizable supply chain solutions.  More information is available at arkbest.com and abf.com.

The following is a "safe harbor" statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:  Statements contained in this press release that are not based on historical facts are "forward-looking statements."  Terms such as "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "intend," "plan," "predict," "prospects," "scheduled," "should," "would," and similar expressions and the negatives of such terms are intended to identify forward-looking statements.  Such statements are by their nature subject to uncertainties and risk including, but not limited to, recessionary economic conditions; competitive initiatives, pricing pressures and effect of volatility in fuel prices and the associated changes in fuel surcharges on securing increases in base freight rates; the impact of any limitations on our customers' access to adequate financial resources; availability and cost of capital; shifts in market demand; weather conditions; the performance and needs of industries served by Arkansas Best Corporation's subsidiaries; future costs of operating expenses such as fuel and related taxes; self-insurance claims and insurance premium costs; relationships with employees, including unions; union and non-union employee wages and benefits, including changes in required contributions to multiemployer pension plans; governmental regulations and policies; future climate change legislation; costs of continuing investments in technology; the timing and amount of capital expenditures; the cost, integration and performance of any future acquisitions; and other financial, operational and legal risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in Arkansas Best Corporation's Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") public filings.

SOURCE Arkansas Best Corporation

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