James Harris on business strategy
From Boyles Distinguished Lecture featuring Jamie Harris, Chief Financial Officer, RXO · · walkercob
“I joined the company last fall to help them do a spin-off from their parent company a company called XPO Logistics. When I was approached about the job I said no the first time because I was actually very happy with the role I had but I knew the company just from having been as a shipper at Coca-Cola before was intrigued by the business and liked the ideas of what they were doing and the fact that I thought they could grow nicely.”
On , James Harris, Chief Financial Officer at RXO INC, spoke about business strategy during Boyles Distinguished Lecture featuring Jamie Harris, Chief Financial Officer, RXO on walkercob.
About James Harris
James Harris, Chief Financial Officer of RXO, spoke at the 64th Boyles Distinguished Lecture Series at Appalachian State University on September 17, 2023. He described RXO as an asset-light transportation solutions provider with more than 7,000 employees, approximately $5 billion in revenue, and a market cap just over $2 billion. Harris said he initially declined the CFO role at RXO because he was happy in his previous position, but was intrigued by the business from his experience as a shipper at Coca-Cola. He stated that the company is "doing well" but is operating in a "tough economic cycle and a tough freight market." During his lecture, Harris emphasized the importance of preparation, personal health, and building trust in business. He said he works out four to five days a week and prioritizes nutrition due to his Crohn's disease. Harris advised students to turn adversity into opportunity, noting that "very few people in business have become successful feeling like a victim." He also encouraged the younger generation to become "strong, highly ethical, passionate leaders" in their chosen fields.