Lakeland logistics provider names new CEO

A Lakeland-based third-party logistics provider has named its next leader following its CEO’s retirement. 

Saddle Creek Logistics Services named Grady Martin its new CEO July 1. He succeeds Mark Cabrera, who is retiring after serving as CEO of the company since 2015. 

Saddle Creek Logistics Services, which offers warehousing, fulfillment and transportation logistics solutions, first hired Martin in 2015 as director of solutions development. He has since quickly progressed to positions of increasing responsibility, including senior vice president of innovation and engineering and, most recently, COO, according to a statement. 

Martin brings nearly three decades of leadership experience in logistics and supply chain companies, and has already played a key role in shaping Saddle Creek’s growth and operational strategy, according to the release. 

“Grady is a proven leader with a deep understanding of our business, our customers, and our people,” Cabrera says in the release. “He has been a driving force behind our operational excellence and culture, and I have great confidence in his ability to lead Saddle Creek into its next chapter.”

As CEO, Martin will focus on advancing Saddle Creek’s “client-first” approach, investing in people and technology and continuing to deliver flexible, high-performance logistics solutions, the release says. 

“I’m honored to step into this role and build on the strong foundation Mark and our leadership team have established,” Martin says in the release. 

Cabrera, Martin’s predecessor, joined Saddle Creek in 2001 as COO and served as CFO before being named CEO. Under his leadership, the company expanded its national footprint to 52 locations across the country totaling 33 million square feet, according to its website.