RXO CEO Drew Wilkerson Recognized as 2026 Rainmaker for Driving Growth and Innovation in Freight Brokerage
RXO (NYSE: RXO), a leading provider of asset-light transportation solutions, has announced that its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Drew Wilkerson, has been recognized as a 2026 Rainmaker by DC Velocity, one of the logistics and supply chain industry’s most respected publications. The annual recognition honors executives whose leadership, innovation, and strategic vision have significantly influenced the transportation and supply chain sector while creating measurable business impact.
The award highlights Wilkerson’s role in guiding RXO through a period of rapid transformation and expansion. Since becoming the company’s CEO following its separation from XPO Logistics in 2022, he has overseen the development of RXO into one of North America’s largest freight brokerage providers. Under his leadership, the company has strengthened its technology-driven transportation platform, expanded its customer relationships, and executed strategic initiatives designed to support sustainable long-term growth.
Industry Recognition for Strategic Leadership
The Rainmaker distinction is awarded to executives who have demonstrated exceptional leadership while helping shape the future of logistics and supply chain management. The recognition celebrates leaders who successfully navigate evolving market conditions, embrace technological innovation, and deliver meaningful value to customers, employees, and industry stakeholders.
For RXO, the award reflects several years of focused investment in digital freight solutions, operational excellence, and customer-centric transportation services.
Commenting on the recognition, Wilkerson emphasized that the achievement belongs to the broader RXO organization rather than any single individual.
According to Wilkerson, the company’s continued momentum has been driven by the dedication of its employees, deep transportation expertise, advanced technology capabilities, and an unwavering commitment to serving customers and carrier partners. He noted that these combined strengths continue to position RXO for sustained long-term success while enabling the company to deliver measurable value across its extensive transportation network.
Building RXO as an Independent Public Company
RXO officially became an independent publicly traded company in late 2022 after spinning off from XPO Logistics, marking the beginning of a new chapter focused exclusively on asset-light transportation services.
The separation allowed RXO to concentrate its resources on freight brokerage, managed transportation, last-mile delivery, and complementary logistics solutions. Since becoming independent, the company has pursued an aggressive growth strategy centered on expanding market share while investing heavily in technology that improves transportation efficiency.
During Wilkerson’s leadership, RXO has evolved into a business generating more than $4.5 billion in annual revenue, establishing itself as the third-largest freight brokerage company in North America. The organization now employs nearly 10,000 people worldwide, serving a diverse portfolio of blue-chip customers across manufacturing, retail, industrial, consumer goods, healthcare, automotive, and numerous other sectors.
Its scale allows the company to manage millions of freight shipments annually while connecting thousands of shippers with a broad network of transportation providers.
Technology at the Core of Growth
A defining feature of RXO’s business strategy has been its continued investment in digital technology and data-driven freight management.
As an asset-light transportation provider, RXO does not own a large fleet of trucks. Instead, it leverages sophisticated digital platforms, artificial intelligence, predictive analytics, automation, and real-time visibility tools to match freight with available carrier capacity efficiently.
These technologies help improve shipment execution while reducing empty miles, optimizing routing decisions, and increasing overall network efficiency.
Customers benefit from greater shipment visibility, faster freight matching, improved pricing transparency, and enhanced operational flexibility. Carrier partners similarly gain access to a broader range of freight opportunities through RXO’s digital marketplace, enabling better equipment utilization and revenue generation.
The company’s technology-focused approach has become increasingly important as transportation customers seek greater supply chain resilience and more responsive logistics solutions amid changing economic conditions.
Transformational Acquisition of Coyote Logistics
One of the most significant milestones during Wilkerson’s tenure occurred in 2024 when RXO completed the acquisition of Coyote Logistics from UPS.
The acquisition represented a transformative transaction for RXO, substantially expanding the company’s freight brokerage operations while strengthening its competitive position across North America.
By integrating Coyote Logistics into its operations, RXO significantly increased its transportation capacity, expanded network density, diversified its customer base, and enhanced its service capabilities.
The combined organization gained access to additional carrier relationships, broader geographic coverage, and greater freight volumes, enabling more efficient load matching and improved service reliability.
The transaction also strengthened RXO’s ability to compete in an increasingly dynamic freight brokerage market where scale, technology, and network density play critical roles in delivering customer value.
Industry analysts viewed the acquisition as a strategic move that positioned RXO for accelerated growth while creating additional opportunities for operational synergies and long-term profitability.
Experience Across the Transportation Industry
Wilkerson brings nearly two decades of transportation and freight brokerage experience to his leadership role.
Before leading RXO, he held several senior executive positions at XPO Logistics, where he helped oversee significant growth within the company’s transportation business.
Among his most prominent leadership roles was serving as President of North American Transportation, where he managed one of the industry’s largest freight brokerage organizations.
Throughout his career, Wilkerson has developed expertise in freight brokerage operations, carrier network development, transportation technology, customer relationship management, and strategic business expansion.
His extensive industry experience has enabled RXO to navigate changing freight market conditions while continuing to invest in long-term operational capabilities.
Wilkerson earned his degree from the University of South Carolina, where he developed the academic foundation that would support his career in transportation and logistics.
Leading Through Market Challenges
The freight transportation industry has experienced considerable volatility in recent years, influenced by shifting consumer demand, changing inventory patterns, supply chain disruptions, inflationary pressures, and evolving economic conditions.
Successfully managing a freight brokerage business during these market cycles requires balancing customer service, carrier relationships, operational efficiency, and disciplined financial management.
Under Wilkerson’s leadership, RXO has continued investing in technology, talent development, and customer service despite broader industry challenges.
The company’s focus on operational excellence has helped strengthen relationships with both shippers and transportation providers while positioning the business to capitalize on future market recovery.
Recognition Beyond the Rainmaker Award
The 2026 Rainmaker honor adds to an already impressive list of professional recognitions Wilkerson has received throughout his leadership career.
In 2024, he was named to the Charlotte Business Journal’s Most Admired CEO list, recognizing executives who have demonstrated exceptional leadership within the business community.
Earlier, he earned a place on the publication’s prestigious 40 Under 40 list, highlighting emerging business leaders making significant contributions to their industries.
Wilkerson has also been repeatedly included in Business North Carolina’s Power List, appearing annually from 2023 through 2026, reflecting his growing influence within both the transportation sector and the broader business landscape.
Additionally, Supply and Demand Chain Executive recognized him among its Pros to Know in 2021, while SupplyTech Breakthrough honored him as CEO of the Year in 2023 for his contributions to innovation and technology leadership in supply chain management.
These accolades collectively underscore Wilkerson’s reputation as one of the transportation industry’s most respected executives.
Positioning RXO for the Future
As supply chains become increasingly digital, interconnected, and data-driven, RXO continues focusing on expanding its technology capabilities while strengthening relationships with customers and carrier partners.
The company remains committed to improving freight matching efficiency, enhancing shipment visibility, increasing automation, and delivering flexible transportation solutions capable of adapting to evolving market needs.
The recognition from DC Velocity reinforces both Wilkerson’s leadership and RXO’s growing influence within North America’s logistics industry. By combining strategic acquisitions, technology investment, operational excellence, and customer-focused innovation, the company has built a strong foundation for future expansion.
With a growing workforce, expanded transportation network, and one of the continent’s largest freight brokerage platforms, RXO appears well positioned to pursue continued growth while helping customers navigate increasingly complex supply chain environments. Drew Wilkerson’s latest industry recognition serves as further validation of the leadership approach that has guided the company through its evolution into one of the logistics sector’s most prominent transportation providers.
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