Jarit Cornelius was raised on his family’s watermelon farm in southern Indiana. After attending Vincennes University for an associate degree in Fire Science & Safety Technology, he moved to Nashville and began his career with Ryder. After working his way up from technician to Service Manager covering Northern Alabama to Arkansas and serving on Ryders Quality Assurance team throughout the southeast, he found a home at Sharp Transport, Inc in Ethridge, TN., where he’s been for 10 years serving as Vice President of Maintenance & Compliance.
Jarit’s passion for fleet maintenance has garnered Sharp Transport national recognition by becoming the first U.S carrier to achieve EPA’s SmartWay Elite Certification, HDT’s recognition as a TOP 50 Green Fleet, as well as Tennessee’s Governor’s Award for Sustainable Performance and Tennessee’s Department of Environment & Conservation Award for Sustainable Transportation. Personal accomplishments include Tennessee Trucking Association Maintenance Professional of the Year, HDT’s Emerging Leader, former Chairman of the Tennessee Trucking Association Middle TN Maintenance Council, Chairman of the Tennessee Trucking Association Steering Committee Maintenance Council, American Trucking Association Technology & Maintenance Council S.5 Vehicle Maintenance Study Group, S.11 Sustainable & Environmental Technologies former Chairman, as well as serving on ATA TMC Leaders of Tomorrow. Jarit was the industry’s first certified VMRS specialist and has spoken on numerous panels with TMC on fleet maintenance best practices & technologies.
Jarit became Director of Maintenance following Christenson’s acquisition of Sharp Transport in January of 2022.
Away from work, Jarit enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters, fishing, woodworking, and anything else that gets him outdoors.