---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0000950157-24-000133"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "FWRD"
cik: "0000912728"
company_name: "FORWARD AIR CORP"
filed_at: "2024-02-07T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-06T07:34:58.417479+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.75
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.75
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Forward Air CEO Tom Schmitt departs; Interim CEO, new Chairman, and directors appointed

## Summary
- Thomas Schmitt ceased as Chairman, President, and CEO; termination without cause under Severance Plan.
- Michael Hance, 18-year veteran, appointed Interim CEO; remains Chief Legal Officer and Secretary.
- Chris Ruble, 28-year employee and COO, appointed President and COO.
- George Mayes appointed independent Chairman; Gil West and Christopher Schmachtenberger join Board.
- Search Committee for permanent CEO formed; Integration Committee for Omni acquisition established.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0000950157-24-000133
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: FWRD
- cik: 0000912728
- company_name: FORWARD AIR CORP
- filed_at: 2024-02-07T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.75
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.75
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 7.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/912728/000095015724000133/0000950157-24-000133-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/912728/000095015724000133/form8-k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000950157-24-000133
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000950157-24-000133.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000950157-24-000133.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Michael L. Hance was appointed as Interim Chief Executive Officer at FORWARD AIR CORP.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Interim Chief Executive Officer
  source text: On February 6, 2024, Michael L. Hance, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of the Company, was appointed to the role of Interim Chief Executive Officer in addition to his current position as Chief Legal Officer and Secretary
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/912728/000095015724000133/0000950157-24-000133-index.htm
- Executive change
  Chris C. Ruble was appointed as President at FORWARD AIR CORP.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: President
  source text: and Chris C. Ruble, Chief Operating Officer of the Company, was appointed to the role of President in addition to his current position as Chief Operating Officer.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/912728/000095015724000133/0000950157-24-000133-index.htm
- Executive change
  W. Gil West was appointed as Director at FORWARD AIR CORP.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Director
  source text: On February 1, 2024, the Board of Directors (the “ Board ”) of Forward Air Corporation (the “ Company ” or “ Forward Air ”) voted to increase the size of the Board from 15 to 16 members pursuant to the bylaws of the Company and appointed W. Gil West to the Board to fill the newly authorized Board position.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/912728/000095015724000133/0000950157-24-000133-index.htm
- Executive change
  Thomas Schmitt departed as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer at FORWARD AIR CORP.
  - Action: ceased serving
  - Role: Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
  source text: On February 6, 2024, Thomas Schmitt ceased serving as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and as a member of the Board, with his last day of employment being February 9, 2024.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/912728/000095015724000133/0000950157-24-000133-index.htm
- Executive change
  George S. Mayes was appointed as independent Chairman of the Board at FORWARD AIR CORP.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: independent Chairman of the Board
  source text: On February 6, 2024, the Board appointed George S. Mayes, Director of the Company, to the position of independent Chairman of the Board.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/912728/000095015724000133/0000950157-24-000133-index.htm
- Executive change
  Christopher Schmachtenberger was appointed as Director at FORWARD AIR CORP.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Director
  source text: On February 5, 2024, the Board appointed Christopher Schmachtenberger to the Board, following his designation by EVE Omni Investor, LLC (“ EVE ”) pursuant to the Shareholders Agreement, dated January 25, 2024, among the Company, EVE and certain EVE related parties (the “EVE Shareholders Agreement”), to fill an existing vacancy on the Board.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/912728/000095015724000133/0000950157-24-000133-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.