Management Team

Shawn Stewart is a seasoned executive with nearly three decades of experience in logistics and transportation and has served as President and Chief Executive Officer since April 2024. He previously served as President and Managing Director, North America at CEVA Logistics, where he led a network spanning the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean and oversaw a team of more than 15,000 employees and over $5 billion in top-line turnover. Mr. Stewart is a veteran of the United States Navy and was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal for his exemplary service aboard the USS Inchon and USS Theodore Roosevelt.

Jamie Pierson has served as Forward Air’s Chief Financial Officer since May 2024. He is an accomplished finance leader with extensive experience supporting business and financial transformations across both public and private companies. Prior to Forward Air, he served as CFO at MV Transportation, Ecobat Technologies, Yellow Corporation (f/k/a YRC Worldwide), and Interim CFO of Horizon Global and PrimeSource Building Products. Mr. Pierson holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration, with a concentration in finance and accounting, and a master’s degree in business administration, with a concentration in finance and entrepreneurship, from The University of Texas.

Michael Hance has served as Forward Air’s Chief Legal Officer and Secretary since May 2014, overseeing the Company’s legal affairs. Mr. Hance joined Forward Air in 2006 and previously held roles as Staff Counsel, General Counsel and Senior Vice President of Human Resources. Before joining Forward Air, Mr. Hance practiced law with the law firms of Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell and Berkowitz, P.C. and Bass, Berry & Sims, PLC. He holds a Juris Doctor from Emory University School of Law, a Master of Divinity from Emory University’s Candler School of Theology, and a bachelor’s degree in political science and religion from Carson-Newman College.

Doug Smith has served as Forward Air’s Chief People Officer since December 2024 and leads Forward Air’s human resources function, including initiatives supporting capacity growth and retention. A seasoned Human Resources leader with more than 25 years of experience across multiple industries, he brings more than 25 years of human resources leadership experience aligning functional teams to business strategy domestically and internationally. Prior to joining Forward Air, Mr. Smith was Senior Vice President of Human Resources at CEVA Logistics. Mr. Smith holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania.

Lance Sons has served as Chief Information Officer since February 2026, overseeing the enterprise Information Technology (IT) function and cybersecurity. He is an accomplished IT executive with more than 25 years of global leadership experience across logistics, technology, and automotive sectors. Throughout his career, Mr. Sons has driven large scale modernization initiatives, strengthened cybersecurity and governance, delivered cloud native platforms that generated significant operational savings, and built high performing global teams. Prior to joining Forward Air, he served as Global Chief Information Officer at PSA BDP and held leadership roles at Dell and General Motors. Mr. Sons holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Management Information Systems from the University of Texas at Austin.

Eric Brandt has served as Forward Air’s Chief Commercial Officer since November 2024, leading the development and execution of Forward Air’s commercial strategy. He is a seasoned leader with deep understanding of global logistics and supply chain management with demonstrated expertise in end-to-end logistics solutions, freight management, and supply chain innovations across various industries. Prior to joining Forward Air, Mr. Brandt was Executive Vice President of Business Development at CEVA Logistics and held leadership roles at Esprit, Panalpina, Crane Worldwide Logistics and Agility. Mr. Brandt holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a bachelor’s degree in international business from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Jessica Herren has served as Forward Air’s Chief Solutions Design and Customer Experience Officer since November 2024, overseeing the development, execution, and optimization of customer-centric supply chain strategy and solutions across the enterprise. With over two decades of experience in logistics and international trade, Ms. Herren is a seasoned executive known for driving strategic initiatives and delivering operational excellence. She previously served as Senior Vice President of Global Customs & International Trade at CEVA Logistics, where she led customs and trade product strategy across more than 50 countries. Ms. Herren holds a bachelor’s degree in business and management from the University of Phoenix and is a licensed customs broker.

Karl Khambatta has served as Forward Air’s Chief of Staff since February 2025, supporting the leadership team in its development of the Company’s strategic initiatives. He brings deep logistics, strategy and business transformation experience to the Company. Prior to joining Forward Air, Karl served as Chief of Staff to the CEO and Vice President of Transformation and Strategy at CEVA Logistics, North America, and has also held global leadership roles at REEF, Agility, and The Home Depot. Mr. Khambatta holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Georgia State University and a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering from the University of Mumbai.

Tim Osborne has served as Forward Air’s President of U.S. and Canada Operations since 1996 and oversees North American ground operations and more than 200 locations. With more than four decades of experience in the transportation and logistics industry, Mr. Osborne is a seasoned executive with an exemplary track record of success. He originally joined Forward Air as a Station Manager in Charlotte, North Carolina and has advanced through roles including Regional Vice President of Operations, Senior Vice President of Operations and Executive Vice President of Operations. Prior to Forward Air, Mr. Osborne worked for Rocket Express and UPS. Mr. Osborne holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from King University and attended the Executive Education program at Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Management.

Fábio Mendunekas has served as Omni Logistics’ President of Latin America Operations since August 2025 and oversees all operations in Mexico, Chile, Colombia, Peru and Brazil. He has extensive experience in business development and operations throughout Latin America and North America, having also served as Chief Operating Officer of Contract Logistics for CEVA Logistics and holding executive positions at DHL Express, Syncreon, NCR and Ryder Logistics. Mr. Mendunekas holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from FIA/USP in São Paulo and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Universidade ABC.

Joanna Zhu joined Omni Logistics in January 2026 as President of Asia-Pacific, responsible for APAC operations, growth execution and operational efficiency. A seasoned logistics and transportation executive, Joanna brings deep expertise in regional expansion, operational transformation, and cross-border supply chain leadership across Asia-Pacific markets. Prior to Omni Logistics, Ms. Zhu held multiple senior leadership roles at CEVA Logistics, ultimately serving as Managing Director for North Asia, and earlier in her career, she specialized in air freight at Kuehne+Nagel. She holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Shanghai University of Finance and Economics.