John Simone, president and CEO of USA Truck Inc. of Van Buren.
John Simone, the former CEO of USA Truck Inc. of Van Buren, died Thursday in Fernandina Beach, Florida. He was 54.
Simone led USA Truck’s turnaround but took a leave of absence in April 2015 after being diagnosed with lung cancer; he later resigned in July 2015.
The cancer was discovered after Simone, who was a nonsmoker, had a series of cerebral vascular accidents, or strokes, that affected his speech.
In May 2015, Simone told shareholders and colleagues that he was undergoing chemotherapy with radiation treatments planned. He also said his health was improving, and he was hopeful he would be able to return to USA Truck.
Former USA Truck executive Jaimey Malone, who was vice president of sales under Simone, said he learned more professionally from Simone than he had in his previous 20 years in business.
“Working with John and for John was challenging and rewarding,” said Malone, who is now vice president of business development for Trekker Logistics in Caseyville, Illinois. “He was tough but he was fair. He cared about people.”
USA Truck hired Simone in 2013 to replace Cliff Beckham and turn around the flagging company. USA Truck had posted five consecutive years of losses before 2014 when, under Simone’s leadership, USA Truck reported income of $6 million.
Beckham worked as CFO under Simone for more than a year after Simone’s appointment, and Malone said that was a reflection of Simone’s leadership. Simone brought in hand-picked executives and middle management to fuel the turnaround, but he also worked with and supported those at USA Truck who had been through the hard times.
“I’m very thankful he didn’t have a slash-and-burn philosophy,” Malone said. “He was relentless in the pursuit of the [turnaround] strategy. I’m very proud he kept me on that team.”
Malone said he kept in touch with Simone after both left the company last summer. Malone said he learned March 21 that Simone’s lung cancer had metastasized to other organs and the prognosis was dire.
Simone died at the Jane and Bill Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach, according to an obituary from Oxley-Heard Funeral Home.
Memorial services are scheduled for 1 p.m. April 23 at the funeral home.
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