Leadership
Executive Leadership Committee (ELC)
Shawn Stewart
Chief Executive Officer and Interim Chief Revenue Officer
Shawn Stewart serves as the Chief Executive Officer and Interim Chief Revenue Officer. Accompanying his role as CEO, Shawn also serves as the Director of the Board for Forward Air. Prior to joining the company in 2024, Shawn served as President & Managing Director of North America for CEVA Logistics, with financial and operational responsibility for the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. In this role, Shawn worked closely with the Global Executive Board and the C-Suite to set strategy and lead execution. Under Shawn’s leadership, CEVA North America’s revenue grew by $3 billion in three years and Net Promoter Scores improved by 23%. Concurrently with this role, Shawn also was an Inside Director and Board Member for CEVA Government Services—a standalone entity controlled by an independent board.
Throughout his career, Shawn has excelled at building world-class teams, strengthening employee relations, promoting diversity and inspiring teams to take ownership of results. He is dedicated to building genuine relationships with customers and employees that foster trust and collaboration. Shawn has also demonstrated a proven ability to align staff and leadership around a cohesive vision and develop programs, methodology and strategies to consistently exceed budgeted goals. Shawn is a veteran of the United States Navy and was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal.
Chris C. Ruble
President and Chief Operating Officer
Chris C. Ruble serves as the President and Chief Operating Officer. He is responsible for overseeing all aspects of our operation across all modes and services. Chris joined Forward Air in 1996 as a Terminal Manager in Atlanta, before being promoted later that year to Regional Vice President of the West Region, where he led Forward Air’s expansion on the West Coast. In 2001, he was promoted to SVP of Operations, responsible for all field operations in the company. Chris was promoted again to Executive Vice President in 2007, where he led all company operations and all sales and marketing activity for the Expedited LTL division.
In 2016, Chris became President of Expedited LTL, Forward Air’s largest division, before being promoted to Chief Operating Officer. Prior to Forward Air, Chris served in various management roles at Roadway Package System, Inc. Chris holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Wabash College.
In 2016, Chris became President of Expedited LTL, Forward Air’s largest division, before being promoted to Chief Operating Officer. Prior to Forward Air, Chris served in various management roles at Roadway Package System, Inc. Chris holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Wabash College.
Jamie Pierson
Chief Financial Officer
Jamie Pierson serves as the Chief Financial Officer. An accomplished financial executive, Jamie is an expert in business and financial transformations for both public and private companies.
Prior to joining the company, Jamie was Chief Financial Officer for numerous domestic and global companies, including Yellow Corporation (previously YRC Worldwide) (YELL; NASDAQ), PrimeSource Building Products, Ecobat Technologies, and most recently, MV Transportation. Jamie holds an MBA and a BBA in Finance from The University of Texas at Austin.
Prior to joining the company, Jamie was Chief Financial Officer for numerous domestic and global companies, including Yellow Corporation (previously YRC Worldwide) (YELL; NASDAQ), PrimeSource Building Products, Ecobat Technologies, and most recently, MV Transportation. Jamie holds an MBA and a BBA in Finance from The University of Texas at Austin.
Michael L. Hance
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary
Michael Hance is the Chief Legal Officer and Secretary. Michael is responsible for overseeing all aspects of legal affairs. Michael served as the Interim Chief Executive Officer beginning in February 2024 until Shawn Stewart was appointed CEO in April 2024. Michael joined Forward Air in 2006 as Staff Counsel and became Senior Vice President and General Counsel in 2008 and the Company’s Chief Legal Officer in 2014. While serving as General Counsel, he also led the Company’s Human Resources department from 2010 to 2014.
Micheal holds a Juris Doctor degree from Emory University School of Law, a Master of Divinity Degree from Emory University’s Candler School of Theology, and a B.A. in Political Science and Religion from Carson-Newman College. Before joining Forward Air, Mr. Hance practiced law with the law firms of Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell and Berkowitz, P.C. and with Bass, Berry & Sims, PLC.
Micheal holds a Juris Doctor degree from Emory University School of Law, a Master of Divinity Degree from Emory University’s Candler School of Theology, and a B.A. in Political Science and Religion from Carson-Newman College. Before joining Forward Air, Mr. Hance practiced law with the law firms of Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell and Berkowitz, P.C. and with Bass, Berry & Sims, PLC.
Jay Tomasello
Chief Information Officer
Jay Tomasello is the Chief Information Officer. 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 ultimately, 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 the University of Memphis.
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 the University of Memphis.
Kyle R. Mitchin
Chief People Officer
Kyle Mitchin is the Chief People Officer. He is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the Human Resource function as well as the capacity growth and retention initiatives for our fleet of Independent Contractors. Kyle joined Forward Air in 2014 as the Vice President of Recruiting & Retention and became the Senior Vice President of Human Resources in 2017. In 2019, Kyle began his service as Chief People Officer for the Company.
Prior to joining Forward Air, he was the Director of Recruiting for Panther Premium Logistics. Kyle holds an MBA and Bachelor of Arts in Business Management, receiving Magna Cum Laude honors, from Walsh University.
Prior to joining Forward Air, he was the Director of Recruiting for Panther Premium Logistics. Kyle holds an MBA and Bachelor of Arts in Business Management, receiving Magna Cum Laude honors, from Walsh University.
Bobby Solis
President, Asia and UK
Bobby Solis serves as the President of Asia and UK. An industry veteran with 30 years of experience in global logistics and freight forwarding, Bobby leads a global team of professionals with a passion for top-tier customer service. Bobby oversees an international team consisting of 1,600 employees across 10 countries.
Bobby joined JSI Logistics in 1995 and held various leadership roles, including Regional Manager, Director of US Operations, Vice President of Operations and President. JSI Logistics was acquired by Omni Logistics in 2019. Prior to his career in logistics, Bobby served in the United States Navy Submarine Force.
Bobby joined JSI Logistics in 1995 and held various leadership roles, including Regional Manager, Director of US Operations, Vice President of Operations and President. JSI Logistics was acquired by Omni Logistics in 2019. Prior to his career in logistics, Bobby served in the United States Navy Submarine Force.
Sylvia Cintron
Vice President of Marketing and Communications
Sylvia Cintrón serves as Vice President, Marketing and Communications for Forward Air. Sylvia oversees the marketing and communications strategy and execution for the entire organization, focused on enhancing brand awareness, customer loyalty and market position.
A marketing expert with nearly 30 years of experience, Sylvia has held leadership roles for a wide range of companies, including Kenco Group, Credit Corp, and digital advertising agency AREA203. Sylvia is passionate about developing and leading high-performing teams, mentoring the next generation of marketers, and collaborating with cross-functional stakeholders to achieve shared goals and success.
Sylvia holds a BBA in Business Management / Marketing from the Universidad del Sagrado Corazon in San Juan, PR.
Jordan Grabliauskiene
Executive Assistant to the CEO
Jordan Grabliauskiene serves as the Executive Assistant to CEO Shawn Stewart. Jordan joined Omni Logistics in 2023, shortly after earning her master’s degree in organizational leadership business from John Brown University, where she played college basketball for four years.