Universal Logistics Taps Ford Veteran for CFO, Signaling Strategic Focus

WARREN, MI – April 08, 2026 – Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: ULH) is ushering in a new era of financial leadership, announcing the appointment of seasoned automotive and finance executive Michael Rogers as its new Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. The move, effective June 1, 2026, is seen as a strategic alignment of leadership with the company's growing focus on complex automotive and electric vehicle (EV) supply chains.

Rogers will succeed Jude M. Beres, the company's long-serving CFO, who will resign effective May 29, 2026, after nearly three decades with Universal and its affiliates. The transition marks a pivotal moment for the transportation and logistics provider as it navigates a fluctuating freight market while aggressively pursuing high-margin, specialized services.

A New Financial Architect with Automotive Roots

Michael Rogers brings a formidable resume to Universal, most notably a thirty-year tenure at Ford Motor Company, where he held a series of critical finance leadership roles. His experience is not just in traditional corporate finance; it is deeply embedded in the operational and logistical fabric of a global automotive giant. His key positions included Model e Controller for Product Development, Global Controller for Material Planning and Logistics, and Finance Director for Canada, Mexico, and South America Operations.

This background appears tailor-made for Universal's current strategic trajectory. The company has been vocal about its push into dedicated contract carriage and value-added warehousing tied directly to EV platforms and battery components, particularly in the burgeoning EV manufacturing corridor in the Southeast U.S. Rogers' direct experience controlling finances for Ford's Model e division provides him with a unique and intimate understanding of the financial intricacies of the EV world.

"We are delighted to have the opportunity to work with Mike in this role," said Tim Phillips, Chief Executive Officer of Universal Logistics Holdings, in a statement. "Mike brings tremendous breadth and depth of financial, operational and leadership experience, both from his many years with Ford and from his more recent service. We believe Mike's background, judgment and familiarity with Universal will make him an outstanding addition to our senior leadership team."

Before joining Universal, Rogers served as CFO for Conlan Tire Co. and Hercules Materials Holdings LLC. His academic credentials, including a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Rice University and an M.B.A. from the University of Notre Dame, complement his extensive practical experience, providing a foundation in both analytical rigor and financial strategy.

The Legacy of a Thirty-Year Veteran

The leadership change also marks the end of a significant chapter for Universal with the departure of Jude M. Beres. Beres, who has been with the company and its affiliated businesses for nearly three decades, has served as CFO and Treasurer since 2016 and was previously the Chief Administrative Officer. His decision to resign is to pursue opportunities outside the transportation and logistics industry.

During his tenure as CFO, Beres guided Universal through periods of both robust growth and significant market headwinds. The company achieved its second-best financial performance in history in 2024, reporting $1.85 billion in revenue and an 8.2% operating margin. His leadership also oversaw key strategic moves, including the transformative acquisition of Parsec for approximately $194 million in September 2024, a deal that substantially bolstered Universal's contract logistics segment and rail terminal operations.

More recently, Beres helped the company navigate the persistently soft freight market of 2025, which saw revenues and margins compress across the industry. Despite these challenges, the company maintained its ability to generate cash flow and continued to invest in its strategic priorities.

"On behalf of the Board of Directors and the entire Universal team, I want to thank Jude for his many years of dedicated and exemplary service to the Company," Phillips stated. "Jude has played an important role in our growth and development, and we are grateful for his many contributions over the years. We wish him continued success in this next chapter of his career." Beres is expected to remain with the company through late May to ensure a smooth and orderly transition of his responsibilities to Rogers.

Navigating Headwinds and Harnessing New Opportunities

Rogers is stepping into the CFO role at a critical juncture for the logistics industry. While the sector faces ongoing challenges from fluctuating fuel costs, persistent labor shortages, and a broader economic cooling that has softened freight demand, it is also ripe with opportunity. The macro trends of nearshoring, supply chain resilience, and the green energy transition are creating new avenues for growth.

Universal appears well-positioned to capitalize on these shifts. The company is actively expanding its footprint in Monterrey and Queretaro, Mexico, to capture a larger share of the burgeoning cross-border trade driven by nearshoring. This strategy aims for mid-teens annual growth in cross-border revenue through 2026. Rogers' past role as Finance Director for Ford's Mexico operations provides him with direct experience in this critical geographic market.

Furthermore, the company's planned investments, including $40 million in annual R&D and digital spending, are aimed at increasing efficiency and reducing costs. Initiatives to leverage machine learning to reduce deadhead miles by 10% by 2026 and automate processes to cut operational overhead by 12% will fall squarely in the new CFO's purview to measure and manage.

Aligning Leadership with an Evolving Strategy

The appointment of Michael Rogers is less a change in strategic direction and more a deliberate move to secure a leader with the precise skillset to execute the current one. While analysts from firms like Stifel Nicolaus have maintained a "Hold" rating on the stock, they also forecast a return to profitability for Universal in 2026, with earnings estimates around $1.02 to $1.06 per share. Achieving these targets will require a masterful blend of financial discipline and operational acumen.

Rogers' deep experience in operational finance at Ford—managing the costs of everything from global material logistics to product development for electric vehicles—makes him uniquely qualified to drive the efficiencies Universal seeks. His background suggests he can work beyond the balance sheet, helping to forge a more integrated strategy where financial controls and capital allocation directly enable operational excellence and technological advancement.

As Universal continues to pivot towards higher-margin, specialized services and away from the volatility of the spot market, having a CFO who has managed the complex, high-stakes finances of a global automotive leader provides a clear strategic advantage. The transition signals to investors and the market that Universal is serious about mastering the complex logistics of the new automotive era and is equipping its leadership team with the specialized expertise required to do so.