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Cumberland COUNTY
Keen Transport Inc.'s Chris Easter recently completed a transition that's been years in the making when he became the Cumberland County trucking and logistics company's first nonfamily CEO after 45 years.
As Keen Transport moves into 2014, it's positioning itself for expanded business in specialty hauling, Easter said. He also wants states to "harmonize" their transportation regulations so there are fewer barriers to trucks moving products and equipment around the country.
The management is rooted in 2011, when Los Angeles-based Platinum Equity acquired Keen Transport, Easter said. At that time, there were plans for an eventual transition, but former CEO Bill Keen stayed at the helm to add his expertise. Today, Keen remains an employee.
Easter became president and chief operating officer in November 2012. His CEO title was official Jan. 1. He spoke to the Business Journal about the company's future.
Q: In the past two years, you've gone from president and COO to CEO of one of Central Pennsylvania's prominent trucking companies.
How big of a change is this for you?
A: It could've been a stressful period, but it's been a good year for me and the company. After 45 years of Keen family leadership, it could have been a difficult transition. But my views aligned nicely...