Michael McRoberts, chief operating officer and a member of the board of directors of Rush Enterprises, will step down from his role as COO later this year, and Scott Anderson, senior vice president of finance, insurance and leasing for the company, will retire on March 30.
When McRoberts steps down as COO, he will continue to serve in a senior advisory role and in his current capacity as a member of the company’s board of directors. Further details regarding the timing of McRoberts’ retirement, which will occur in the second half of the year, will be provided at a later date.
McRoberts was appointed COO in July 2016. He joined the company in 2011 and served as regional manager for Rush Truck Centers in California until he was appointed senior vice president of dealer operations in March 2013. Prior to joining Rush Enterprises, McRoberts served as the vice president – general manager and XOO for the Scully Companies, a regional full-service leasing and dedicated contract carriage organization. His background also includes 13 years of experience with other commercial vehicle dealership groups, serving in various executive positions.
“Michael’s strong leadership and strategic guidance has been a primary contributor to our ability to achieve the significant growth and consistent financial results we have experienced over the last decade,” W.M. “Rusty” Rush, chairman of the board of directors, CEO and president of Rush Enterprises, said. “As a direct result of Michael’s leadership, we have become more disciplined and improved our processes over the years, enabling us to offer our customers superior commercial vehicle solutions at even greater value. He has also been a respected mentor to our leaders throughout the company and a trusted colleague and adviser, and I am grateful for his innumerable contributions to our success.”
Jason Wilder will assume the role of COO upon McRoberts’ retirement later in the year. Wilder has served as senior vice president of Navistar dealerships since May 2019. From 2011 until 2019, he served as regional general manager of the Georgia region and as the regional general manager of the company’s North Carolina dealerships from 2008 until 2011. Wilder joined the company in November 2006 as the general manager of the Atlanta medium-duty dealership. Prior to joining Rush, he was the general manager of Fouts Brothers Truck Center in Smyrna, GA.
“Jason has a tremendous depth of knowledge of commercial vehicle dealership operations and has demonstrated strong leadership ability since the first day he joined our company. He has worked closely with Michael and me over the years, and I expect a very smooth transition,” Rush said.
Jorgan Peterson will assume Wilder’s current role of senior vice president of Navistar Dealerships later this year. Peterson has served as regional general manager of the Utah and Idaho region of Navistar dealerships since 2013. He started with Rush in 2010 as district general manager of the Idaho region and prior to joining the company, he had been with Lake City International Truck dealership group in Salt Lake City and Boise, ID, since 2003.
“Jorgan is very experienced with our Navistar dealership operations and I am excited to have him in this new role,” Rush said.
Anderson oversaw Rush Enterprises’ commercial vehicle finance and insurance operations during a period of growth. He also led the company’s PacLease and Idealease truck leasing and rental operations, growing the network to more than 50 locations and a fleet of more than 10,000 vehicles. He will remain as a consultant to the company through at least Sept. 30.
Anderson served as vice president of finance and insurance at Rush from 2005 until his promotion to senior vice president of finance and insurance, and he assumed responsibility for Rush Truck Leasing in 2007. Prior to joining the company, Anderson served as manager of continental European operations for CIT Group and managing director of European commercial finance for Associates Capital Corp.
“Scott is more knowledgeable about the truck finance, insurance and leasing industry than anyone I know and is largely responsible for the success of our leasing and rental business,” Rush said. “His retirement is truly bittersweet, as he will be greatly missed. I wish him all the best as he begins this new chapter.”
Mark Kuhn will assume the role of vice president of leasing. Kuhn became general manager of Rush Truck Leasing – PacLease Division in 2021. He joined the company in 2015 as general manager of Rush Truck Leasing – Fort Worth, TX, after serving in multiple management roles with PACCAR Leasing Company.
“Mark’s extensive experience with the commercial truck leasing industry and our company puts him in a solid position to assume the management of our Rush Truck Leasing operations and to continue to expand its contributions to the company’s overall success,” Rush said. “While we will certainly miss both Mike and Scott, I am very confident that Jason, Jorgan and Mark are each well equipped to take on their new leadership responsibilities.”
