Management Team

Mr. Lorrain has over 30 years of experience serving in a variety of roles in the logistics and transportation industry. He previously served as Chief Operating Officer of CEVA Logistics, a global end-to-end logistics company, and currently serves as director of Log-Hub, a supply chain solution and optimization company, and as the executive chairman of FluentCargo, a routing solutions provider. Additionally, Mr. Lorrain formerly served as a director of SeaFrigo and as the chairman of Arrive Logistics and Pilot Freight Services.

Mr. Stewart is a seasoned executive with nearly three decades of experience in logistics and transportation. During his tenure at CEVA Logistics, a global end-to-end logistics company, Mr. Stewart held numerous leadership positions and most recently served as President and Managing Director, North America. In this role, Mr. Stewart spearheaded the growth and development of the region, overseeing a vast network of operations across the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean Islands. He was responsible for a diverse team of more than 15,000 employees and more than $5 billion in top-line turnover.

Under Mr. Stewart’s leadership, CEVA Logistics experienced substantial business growth and operational improvements, including a nearly 25% increase in Net Promoter Score (NPS) and a double-digit reduction in direct operating expenses. Mr. Stewart’s commitment to operational excellence and his customer-centric approach consistently delivered results, including improvement of on-time service metrics.

Prior to CEVA, Mr. Stewart served with distinction in the US Navy, where he received the Navy Achievement Medal for his exemplary service aboard the USS Inchon and USS Theodore Roosevelt.

Mr. Pierson, has served as the Company’s interim Chief Financial Officer since May 2024. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Pierson served as the Chief Financial Officer for MV Transportation, a privately-owned passenger transportation contracting services firm in North America, from September 2022 until January 2024. Previously, Mr. Pierson served as Chief Financial Officer of Ecobat Technologies, a battery recycler, from July 2021 until September 2022. Mr. Pierson served as a board member and Chief Financial Officer from December 2019 until November 2020 of Yellow Corporation (f/k/a YRC Worldwide, Inc.) (“Yellow”) (OTC: YELLQ), a less-than-truckload network with a freight brokerage and carrier direct transportation management system. From June 2019 until December 2019, Mr. Pierson served as Interim Chief Financial Officer of Horizon Global, a designer, manufacturer and distributor of a wide variety of high-quality, custom-engineered towing, trailering, cargo management and other related accessory products in North America, Europe and Africa. Mr. Pierson also served as Chief Financial Officer of PrimeSource Building Products, Inc., a privately-held distributor of building products, from December 2016 until May 2019. From November 2011 to December 2016, Mr. Pierson served as Chief Financial Officer of Yellow. Mr. Pierson earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, with a concentration in Finance and Accounting from the University of Texas, and a Master’s degree in Business Administration, with a concentration in Finance and Entrepreneurship, also from the University of Texas.

Michael L. Hance has served as our Chief Legal Officer and Secretary since May 2014. Following the departure of former Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Thomas Schmitt, in February 2024, Mr. Hance served as Interim Chief Executive Officer in addition to his current positions until Shawn Stewart was appointed CEO in April 2024. From May 2010 until May 2014, Mr. Hance served as Senior Vice President of Human Resources and General Counsel. From January 2008 until May 2010, he served as Senior Vice President and General Counsel, and from August 2006 until January 2008, he served as Vice President and Staff Counsel. Before joining us, Mr. Hance practiced law with the law firms of Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell and Berkowitz, P.C. from October 2003 until August 2006 and with Bass, Berry & Sims, PLC from September 1999 to September 2003.

Eric Brandt serves as Chief Commercial Officer for Forward Air. As a member of the Executive Leadership Committee, he is responsible for the development and execution of Forward’s commercial strategy. Prior to joining Forward, Mr. Brandt was Executive Vice President of Business Development for CEVA Logistics. A seasoned leader with a deep understanding of global logistics and supply chain management, Brandt has held leadership roles at Esprit, Panalpina, Crane Worldwide Logistics, and Agility. Mr. Brandt has demonstrated expertise in end-to-end logistics solutions, freight management, and supply chain innovations across various industries. Brandt earned an MBA and a bachelor’s degree in international business from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Doug Smith serves as Forward Air's Chief People Officer. In this role, Smith oversees all aspects of the Company’s Human Resource function and the capacity growth and retention initiatives for Forward Air’s fleet. A seasoned Human Resources leader with more than 25 years of experience across multiple industries, Smith brings expertise in aligning functional teams to business strategies – both domestically and internationally. Prior to joining Forward, Smith was Senior Vice President of Human Resources for CEVA Logistics. Smith earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from the Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania.

Jay Tomasello is Chief Information Officer of Forward Air Corporation.  Jay oversees all aspects of technology including software development, architecture, infrastructure, operations technology and research and development.  Prior to joining Forward Air, Jay had a distinguished career holding various IT leadership positions at FedEx, including Director of Enterprise Customer software development, Director of Enterprise Architecture and culminating in VP and head of IT for all of the FedEx Supply Chain operating company.  Prior to FedEx, Jay held various positions related to software development including leading all software development for a big data startup.  Jay holds an MBA and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from University of Memphis.

Jessica Herren serves as Chief Solutions Design and Customer Excellence Officer since joining Forward in 2024. Jessica leads the development, execution and optimization of our customer-centric supply chain strategy and solutions across the enterprise.

With over two decades of experience in logistics and international trade, Jessica is a seasoned executive known for driving strategic initiatives and delivering operational excellence across the globe. Prior to joining Forward, Jessica was Senior Vice President of Global Customs & International Trade at CEVA Logistics, where she led the strategic direction of customs and trade products in over 50 countries.

Jessica earned her bachelor’s degree Business and Management from the University of Phoenix and is a licensed customs broker.

Tim Osborne serves as Executive Vice President of Operations for the Company, overseeing all North American ground operations and over 200 locations.  Tim joined Forward Air in 1996 as a Station Manager in Charlotte, NC. He was promoted to Regional Vice President of Operations in 2001, and Senior Vice President of Operations in 2013 before being named Executive Vice President in 2024. Prior to Forward Air, he worked for Rocket Express and UPS. With more than four decades of experience in the transportation and logistics industry, Tim is a seasoned executive with an exemplary track record of success. Tim earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from King University and attended the Executive Education program at the Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University.