FedEx Freight expands CTO’s role to cover commercial strategy following CCO ouster

Less-than-truckload carrier FedEx Freight has named Mike Rodgers as its chief commercial and technology officer, effective immediately. The announcement comes less than two weeks after it terminated Mike Lyons from the chief specialized services and commercial officer role. FedEx Freight ( NYSE: FDXF ) described the new role as an expansion of Rodgers’ duties as chief technology officer, a position he has held since joining the company in June 2025. Rodgers will now oversee technology, commercial strategy, customer experience and marketing. He has over 30 years of digital strategy experience, heading the tech efforts for Pilot Company and its network of truck stops and travel centers from 2015 to 2024. Rodgers was integral in FedEx Freight’s information-technology separation from FedEx ( NYSE: FDX ) during the spinoff process. The effort also included creating a new LTL-specific freight pricing platform. “Mike has a deep understanding of our customers and a strong track record of creating customer, business, employee, and shareholder value, which has been built over decades,” said John Smith, president and CEO. “His leadership, commitment to our culture, and strong relationships across the organization, combined with his broad commercial and operational experience, will help us accelerate and unlock further value as we continue to execute our strategy in the years to come.” Why it matters? Leadership changes at North America’s largest LTL carrier influence sector-wide competitive and pricing dynamics. Combining the chief technology and commercial roles signals an effort to closely align digital strategy and customer experience to protect key business relationships. More FreightWaves articles by Todd Maiden: Cass: TL rates jump 11% in August, freight shipments turn positive Hub Group warns of Nasdaq delisting notice; flags H1 operating loss ArcBest sees tonnage growth accelerate in August; raises Q3 asset-light guide Upcoming FreightWaves Events Compliance Brokerage Compliance Symposium The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry. October 26, 2026 The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now Awards F3 Awards Dinner The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room. October 26, 2026 The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now FreightTech F3: Future of Freight Festival Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals. October 27, 2026 – October 28, 2026 The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now Compliance Brokerage Compliance Symposium Oct 26 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry. The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now Awards F3 Awards Dinner Oct 26 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room. The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now FreightTech F3: Future of Freight Festival Oct 27 – Oct 28 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals. The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now Todd Maiden Based in Richmond, VA, Todd is the finance editor at FreightWaves. Prior to joining FreightWaves, he covered the TLs, LTLs, railroads and brokers for RBC Capital Markets and BB&T Capital Markets. Todd began his career in banking and finance before moving over to transportation equity research where he provided stock recommendations for publicly traded transportation companies.