Pacer Replaces Uremovich as Chairman

Freight services provider Pacer International said Tuesday Chairman and CEO Michael E. Uremovich is leaving the company immediately and will be replaced by Daniel W. Avramovich, the company's chief operating officer.

Pacer and Uremovich gave no reason for his abrupt departure, which they said would come at the close of business Dec. 15. Industry sources said this was a natural line of succession at the company. Uremovich had been board chairman and CEO since Nov. 16, 2006, and before that had been a longtime consultant to Pacer.

Uremovich in a statement praised Avramovich and his leadership.

“Dan Avramovich has not only proven to be an effective leader for Pacer, he has a clear vision and plan for Pacer’s future that has been embraced by our board of directors and leadership team,” said Uremovich, the outgoing chairman and chief executive officer.

“He brings a breadth of experience as an executive of logistics, rail and intermodal transportation companies, as well as skills in building value-added relationships with customers and vendors, and cohesiveness within our organization. He is a solid choice to lead our senior management team and our company into the future.”

Avramovich joined the asset-light provider of freight transport and logistics services in June 2008 as retail intermodal services president. Since his promotion to COO in June this year, he has overseen Pacer’s retail and wholesale intermodal service, plus highway brokerage, supply chain and warehousing units.

Pacer recently renegotiated its long-term train space contract with Union Pacific Railroad, under which it offered wholesale customers favorable rates to route volume shipments through the Pacer-UP Stacktrain service. The changes allow UP to increase the domestic rates in phases, and Pacer will focus on other parts of its business.

The incoming chief said that under Uremovich Pacer managed to simplify and streamline itself and sell assets of a non-strategic business unit, as well as renegotiate the UP contract.

Contact John D. Boyd at jboyd@joc.com.