Leadership
Executive Leadership Team
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.
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.
Eric Brandt
Chief Commercial Officer
Eric Brandt serves as Chief Commercial Officer. As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, he is responsible for the development and execution of our commercial strategy. Prior to joining the Company, Eric was Executive Vice President of Business Development for CEVA Logistics. A seasoned leader with a deep understanding of global logistics and supply chain management, Eric has held leadership roles at Esprit, Panalpina, Crane Worldwide Logistics, and Agility. He has demonstrated expertise in end-to-end logistics solutions, freight management, and supply chain innovations across various industries. Eric earned an MBA and a bachelor’s degree in international business from Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Jessica Herren
Chief Solutions Design and Customer Excellence Officer
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.
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.
Doug Smith
Chief People Officer
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.
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.
Karl Khambatta
Chief of Staff
Karl Khambatta serves as Chief of Staff. Reporting to the CEO, Karl leads the development of strategic initiatives with the Executive Leadership Team. He is responsible for executing transformation initiatives and increasing organizational capabilities to deliver results across the enterprise. Prior to joining the Company, he was Chief of Staff to the CEO and Vice President of Transformation and Strategy for CEVA Logistics, North America. He brings deep logistics, strategy and business transformation experience to the team, having also held global leadership roles at Agility, among other companies. Karl earned an MBA from Georgia State University and a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering from the University of Mumbai.
Tim Osborne
Executive Vice President of Operations
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.
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.
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.