Rush Enterprises (NASDAQ: RUSHA) taps Jody Pollard as new COO

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Rush Enterprises, Inc. has appointed longtime executive Jody Pollard as Chief Operating Officer, effective immediately, following the departure of former COO Jason Wilder. Pollard has been with the company since 1999 in a wide range of operational and sales leadership roles.

The board’s Compensation and Human Capital Committee plans to review potential changes to Pollard’s compensation in light of his new responsibilities. The company noted there are no family relationships or related-party transactions involving Pollard that require disclosure and issued a press release describing the leadership transition.

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 23, 2026

Rush Enterprises, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Texas (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	0-20797 (Commission File Number)	74-1733016 (IRS Employer Identification No.)
555 IH-35 South, Suite 500 New Braunfels, Texas (Address of principal executive offices)		78130 (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (830) 302-5200

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share	RUSHA	Nasdaq Global Select Market
Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share	RUSHB	Nasdaq Global Select Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Item 5.02         Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

(c)     On March 23, 2026, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Rush Enterprises, Inc. (the “Company”) appointed Jody Pollard to serve as Chief Operating Officer (“COO”) of the Company, effective immediately. Mr. Pollard, age 49, previously served as the Company’s Senior Vice President – Truck and Aftermarket Sales from March 2021 until his promotion to COO. From March 2017 to March 2021, Mr. Pollard served as Senior Vice President – Operations. Mr. Pollard joined the Company in 1999 and served in multiple roles of increasing responsibility until eventually being promoted to Regional General Manager of North Texas and Oklahoma, a position he held from 2010 until his promotion to Senior Vice President – Operations in March 2017. Mr. Pollard has a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Leadership and Development from Texas A&M University.

The Compensation and Human Capital Committee (the “Compensation Committee”) of the Board plans to review and evaluate potential changes to Mr. Pollard’s compensation arrangements in light of his new role and increased responsibilities related thereto. Any changes to his compensation will be subject to final determination and approval by the Compensation Committee.

There are no family relationships between Mr. Pollard and any Company director or executive officer, and no arrangements or understandings between Mr. Pollard and any other person pursuant to which he was selected as COO. Mr. Pollard is not a party to any current or proposed transaction with the Company for which disclosure is required under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

Item 7.01         Regulation FD Disclosure.

On March 23, 2026, the Company issued a press release announcing the appointment of Mr. Pollard as COO of the Company. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 hereto. This information shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and is not incorporated by reference into any filing of the Company whether made before or after the date hereof, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing.

Item 9.01         Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)         Exhibits

Exhibit No.         Description

99.1 Rush Enterprises, Inc. press release dated March 23, 2026.

104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted in Inline XBRL).

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	RUSH ENTERPRISES, INC.
Dated: March 23, 2026	By:	/s/ Michael Goldstone
		Senior Vice President, General Counsel
		and Corporate Secretary

Exhibit 99.1

For Immediate Release

Media Contacts
Rush Enterprises Gary Willis
(830) 302-5210

Rush Enterprises announces appointment of Jody Pollard as Chief Operating Officer

San Antonio, Texas, March 23, 2026 — Rush Enterprises, Inc. (NASDAQ: RUSHA and RUSHB), which operates the largest network of commercial vehicle dealerships in North America, announced today that Jody Pollard will take over the role of Chief Operating Officer from Jason Wilder who has left the Company.

Wilder joined Rush Enterprises in November 2006 as General Manager of the Atlanta medium-duty location. He later served as Regional General Manager and Senior Vice President of International Dealerships before becoming Chief Operating Officer in November 2024.

“Jason has been commuting from his home in Atlanta to the Company’s headquarters in Texas for the past several years, which has been demanding on him and his family,” said W.M. “Rusty” Rush, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Rush Enterprises. “We respect his decision and are grateful for his leadership and many contributions to the Company’s operations and success during a period of significant growth, transformation and recent challenging market conditions.”

Jody Pollard has been named Chief Operating Officer and will report to Rusty Rush. While Pollard is transitioning into this role, he will work closely with Rush and Michael McRoberts, Senior Advisor to the Company and member of the Board of Directors. McRoberts served as Chief Operating Officer of the Company from 2016 to 2024.

Pollard previously served as Senior Vice President - Truck Sales and Aftermarket Sales from March 2021 until his recent promotion to Chief Operating Officer and was Senior Vice President of Operations from 2017 to 2021. Pollard also has significant experience in dealership roles where he was Regional General Manager of the Company’s North Texas and Oklahoma Region for six years and also served in a variety of other dealership management roles including Body Shop Manager, Service Manager, Regional Outside Sales Manager, Regional Service Manager and General Manager, supervising over 19 different Rush Enterprises locations from 1999 to 2017. Pollard has a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Leadership & Development from Texas A&M University.

“Jody’s diverse and extensive experience in leading both the operations and sales areas of our business, and his knowledge of the Company and our industry put him in a unique position to take on this new role. I have worked with Jody for many years, and I am confident that his leadership skills and commitment to the Company’s values will serve him well as Chief Operating Officer,” Rush added. “We are also pleased to have Mike’s expertise and support during this transition. Our organization and business remain strong, and we are confident in our leadership team and strategic direction going forward.”

About Rush Enterprises, Inc.

Rush Enterprises, Inc. is the premier solutions provider to the commercial vehicle industry. The Company owns and operates Rush Truck Centers, the largest network of commercial vehicle dealerships in North America, with more than 150 locations in 23 states and Ontario, Canada. These vehicle centers, strategically located in high traffic areas on or near major highways throughout the United States and Ontario, Canada, represent truck and bus manufacturers, including Peterbilt, International, Hino, Isuzu, Ford, Blue Arc, IC Bus and Blue Bird. They offer an integrated approach to meeting customer needs – from sales of new and used vehicles to aftermarket parts, service and body shop operations plus financing, insurance, and leasing and rental solutions. Rush Enterprises' operations also provide CNG fuel systems (through its investment in Cummins Clean Fuel Technologies, Inc.), telematics products and other vehicle technologies, as well as vehicle modification and up-fitting, chrome accessories and tires. For more information, please visit us at www.rushtruckcenters.com and www.rushenterprises.com, on X @rushtruckcenter, Facebook.com/rushtruckcenters and www.linkedin.com/company/rushenterprises-inc

Certain statements contained in this release are “forward-looking” statements (as such term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). Such forward-looking statements only speak as of the date of this release and the Company assumes no obligation to update the information included in this release. Because such statements include risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, competitive factors, general U.S. economic conditions, economic conditions in the new and used commercial vehicle markets, customer relations, relationships with vendors, inflation and the interest rate environment, governmental regulation and supervision, including engine emission regulations, U.S. and global trade policies, product introductions and acceptance, changes in industry practices, one-time events and other factors described herein and in filings made by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025. Although we believe that these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, there are many factors that could affect our actual business and financial results and could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. All future written and oral forward-looking statements by us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to above. Except for our ongoing obligations to disclose material information as required by the federal securities laws, we do not have any obligations or intention to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances in the future or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

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FAQ

What did Rush Enterprises (RUSHA) announce in this 8-K filing?

Rush Enterprises announced the appointment of Jody Pollard as Chief Operating Officer, effective immediately, and disclosed that former COO Jason Wilder has left the company. The filing also notes a press release was issued describing this leadership transition.

Who is Jody Pollard, the new COO of Rush Enterprises (RUSHA)?

Jody Pollard is a longtime Rush Enterprises executive who joined in 1999 and has held multiple dealership and senior leadership roles. He most recently served as Senior Vice President – Truck and Aftermarket Sales and previously as Senior Vice President – Operations from 2017 to 2021.

Why did former COO Jason Wilder leave Rush Enterprises (RUSHA)?

The company stated Jason Wilder’s departure followed several years of commuting from his home in Atlanta to headquarters in Texas, which was demanding on him and his family. Leadership expressed respect for his decision and appreciation for his contributions during growth and challenging market conditions.

Will Jody Pollard’s compensation change as he becomes COO of Rush Enterprises?

Rush Enterprises said its Compensation and Human Capital Committee plans to review and evaluate potential changes to Jody Pollard’s compensation in light of his new role. Any adjustments will require final determination and approval by that board committee before taking effect.

Are there any related-party or family relationships disclosed for Rush Enterprises’ new COO?

The company stated there are no family relationships between Jody Pollard and any director or executive officer. It also reported he is not involved in any current or proposed transactions that would require disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

How is Rush Enterprises (RUSHA) managing the COO transition?

Rush Enterprises said Pollard will report to CEO Rusty Rush and work closely with Senior Advisor and director Michael McRoberts, a former COO. Management emphasized the organization and business remain strong and expressed confidence in the leadership team and strategic direction.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

5 documents

Press Releases

• EX-99.1 EXHIBIT 99.1 11.3 KB

Other Documents

• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION SCHEMA 4.0 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION DEFINITION LINKBASE 13.2 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION LABEL LINKBASE 17.3 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION PRESENTATION LINKBASE 13.2 KB