Transportation: ROBEY W. ‘ROB’ ESTES JR.

With more about $4 billion in revenue in 2021, Estes Express Lines ranks No. 125 on Forbes’ list of America’s largest private companies.

Estes employs more than 20,000 people, though that number may be closer to 30,000 now. Webb Estes, a company vice president and son of CEO Rob Estes, told the Richmond Times-Dispatch in June that the company added nearly 8,000 employees in 2021. Estes Express handled more than 13 million shipments last year and had a worker turnover rate of about 15%, compared with a nationwide average of about 90%.

The grandson of founder W.W. Estes, Rob Estes became CEO of the now-91-year-old company in 1990. As transportation providers look for solutions amid high demand, Estes invested in California-based logistics tech firm Cargo Chief, joining its board in October 2021.

Estes Express is increasing its efforts toward environmental sustainability, partnering with Remora and Amazon.com Inc. on a carbon-capture system for freight vehicles that will launch in September.

A William & Mary alumnus, Rob Estes serves on the boards of the Southern Motor Carriers Association Inc. and the American Trucking Associations.