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Long-time CEO of Ryder Robert Sanchez to retire in 2026, with John Diez named as successor
Ryder has set out a planned CEO succession that will see president and COO John Diez take over from long-serving chief executive Robert Sanchez in March 2026, as the logistics provider looks to maintain continuity in strategy and leadership.
Ryder System Inc. has announced that its chairman and CEO, Robert Sanchez, will retire on March 31, 2026, with president and COO John Diez set to assume the CEO role on that date. Sanchez will remain executive chairman of Ryder’s board to support a smooth leadership transition, while Diez will also join the board of directors as part of the succession plan.
Sanchez has spent more than 30 years at Ryder and has served as CEO since 2013. During his tenure, the company said he oversaw a strategic transformation that delivered record shareholder value. Under his leadership, Ryder pursued a “balanced growth” strategy aimed at de-risking operations, improving returns and expanding its supply chain and dedicated transportation services.
Reflecting on his career, Sanchez said: “Serving Ryder for more than three decades has truly been an extraordinary experience. I’ve worked with John for over two decades and his deep understanding of our business, sound judgment and strategic mindset uniquely positions him to lead the company. I am confident that he is the right leader to drive Ryder’s continued growth.”
Diez also highlighted the growth outlook for the company, pointing to “enormous opportunities to continue growing as the complexity of supply chains intensify and the demand for our port-to-door services increases”.
A 20-year Ryder veteran, Diez has served as president and COO since January 2025. He previously held the role of CFO and has led Ryder’s fleet management and dedicated transportation divisions.
Ryder’s board cited Diez’s operational experience and familiarity with customer needs as key reasons for his appointment. Michael Hilton, lead independent director of Ryder’s board, said: “On behalf of the board, I offer a heartfelt thank you to Robert for his steadfast leadership, strategic vision, and for delivering excellent results and record shareholder value. Robert has led the development and execution of Ryder’s balanced growth strategy to de-risk the business, improve returns, and accelerate the growth of our supply chain and dedicated businesses, transforming the company’s return profile.”
Diez said: “It is a great honour to be a part of this exceptional organisation and culture.”
