American Eagle Transport names new president and operations VP

American Eagle Transport promoted Harold Vice to president and hired Craig Fontenot as vice president of operations as the Broussard, Louisiana-based logistics company expands across the Gulf Coast. The leadership changes are aimed at supporting growth in terminals, recruitment and customer demand in the oil and gas sector.

Why it matters: - American Eagle Transport is expanding its Gulf Coast footprint and needs leadership in place to support that growth. - The moves put two executives with long transportation and oilfield logistics backgrounds into roles tied to operations, recruitment and customer service. - The company already operates 44 terminals across the Gulf Coast and key shale plays, so changes at the top can affect how it serves onshore and offshore projects across Texas, Louisiana and nearby states.

What happened: - American Eagle Transport announced management changes in Broussard, Louisiana. - Harold Vice was promoted to president of American Eagle. - Craig Fontenot joined American Eagle as vice president of operations. - The company said the leadership additions mark a milestone as it continues to expand its capabilities and market presence. - Charles Phillips, president of Bennett’s Transportation Group, congratulated Vice and praised his leadership.

The details: - Vice started in the industry behind the wheel at age 23 and has spent more than 30 years moving through nearly every role in the business. - Vice most recently served as vice president of American Eagle. - Fontenot will oversee daily operations from American Eagle’s Broussard headquarters and across the Gulf Coast terminals. - Fontenot’s immediate focus is recruiting owner-operators, agent terminals and broker agents. - Fontenot brings more than 30 years of experience in oil and gas logistics. - Fontenot most recently served as logistics manager for the Gulf of America at Halliburton. - Before Halliburton, Fontenot was chief operations officer at Fast Trac Transportation. - Vice said Fontenot’s background with family-owned companies and prior customer relationship with American Eagle align with the company’s culture. - American Eagle describes itself as a logistics partner for the oil and gas sector with coverage for onshore and offshore projects throughout Texas, Louisiana and surrounding Gulf Coast states. - American Eagle was founded in August 2011 by four managing partners with oil and gas transportation and logistics experience. - The company says its original focus was customer service, safety and technology to help drivers and streamline supply chains. - American Eagle grew from its Broussard headquarters and a terminal network in Texas and Oklahoma. - American Eagle is an affiliate of the Bennett Family of Companies, which is family-owned and operated and has more than 50 years in transportation.

Between the lines: - The leadership changes suggest American Eagle is preparing for a larger, more distributed operation. - Bringing in an operations leader with oilfield logistics experience signals a focus on scaling without losing control of service and execution. - Fontenot’s recruiting mandate points to labor and partner expansion as a key constraint or opportunity for the business.

What's next: - Fontenot is expected to help build out the company’s network of owner-operators, terminals and broker agents. - Vice will lead the company through its next phase of growth under the new management structure. - American Eagle is likely to keep leaning on its Gulf Coast terminal base as demand grows across the region.

The bottom line: - American Eagle is betting that seasoned leadership can help turn regional momentum into broader growth.