(FORT SMITH, Arkansas, December 15, 2006) — ABF Freight System, Inc.^®, announces the appointment of Barry C. Hunter to vice president of administration and treasurer, effective February 1, 2007. Mr. Hunter, who has been with the company for 20 years, currently serves as director of traffic services.

As vice president of administration and treasurer, Mr. Hunter will lead all activity relating to ABF’s customer service and claims prevention programs as well as have responsibility for ABF’s human resources, revenue accounting, and risk management departments. He will fill the position being vacated by James W. Keenan, who, as previously announced, is assuming the position of vice president of sales.

“Having the industry’s best claims prevention program and unmatched local customer service is a key component of ABF’s success. With a strong analytical background and a thorough understanding of customers, Barry has the skills to further enhance ABF’s excellent record in these areas,” noted ABF President and CEO Bob Davidson. “Under his leadership, I am confident that ABF will continue to offer customers the best value in the transportation industry.”

Mr. Hunter began his career with ABF^® in 1987, starting as an analyst in the pricing department. He was promoted to pricing manager in 1992. He assumed his current position as director of traffic services in May 2002. Mr. Hunter received a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from Kansas State University.

Established in 1923, ABF is one of North America's oldest and most reputable motor carriers. Recognized as best-in-class for safety, security, technology and freight-handling standards, ABF has a distinguished record of service. In four of the past five years, ABF has earned either the Excellence in Claims/Loss Prevention Award, the Excellence in Security Award, or both from the American Trucking Associations Safety and Loss Prevention Management Council. ABF is the only five-time winner of the ATA President's Trophy for Safety and the only carrier to earn both the Excellence in Claims/Loss Prevention Award and the Excellence in Security Award in the same year. ABF also was recognized by CIO magazine for innovative excellence in information technology, earning the 2005 CIO Enterprise Value Award for the transportation industry as well as a spot on the CIO Top 100 Companies list in both 2005 and 2004.

ABF operates an extensive network of customer service centers and distribution facilities strategically located throughout North America. Through this network, ABF provides comprehensive shipping services to all 50 states, Canada, Mexico, Guam and Puerto Rico. Globally, the carrier serves 250 ports in more than 130 countries. ABF is certified as an Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) carrier by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, as well as a Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) and Free and Secure Trade (FAST) carrier to and from Canada. Via its TimeKeeper^® service, ABF provides guaranteed service for expedited or time-definite shipments.

ABF is the largest subsidiary of Arkansas Best Corporation (Nasdaq: ABFS).

Contact: Mr. Danny Loe, director of marketing & public relations
Telephone: (479) 785-8803