---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001628280-24-018429"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "FWRD"
cik: "0000912728"
company_name: "FORWARD AIR CORP"
filed_at: "2024-04-26T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-03T07:05:33.742518+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.65
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.65
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Forward Air names Shawn Stewart CEO effective April 28; Hance returns to legal role

## Summary
- Shawn Stewart appointed CEO and director effective April 28, 2024; Michael Hance returns to Chief Legal Officer and Secretary.
- Stewart previously served as President and Managing Director, North America at CEVA Logistics, overseeing $5B+ turnover and 15,000+ employees.
- Compensation includes $900K base salary, target bonus 100% of base (max 200%), $400K signing bonus, 50,955 restricted shares, 76,433 performance units.
- Q1 2024 earnings to be released after market close on May 8, 2024, with conference call on May 9, 2024.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001628280-24-018429
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: FWRD
- cik: 0000912728
- company_name: FORWARD AIR CORP
- filed_at: 2024-04-26T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.65
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.65
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/912728/000162828024018429/0001628280-24-018429-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/912728/000162828024018429/fwrd-20240422.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001628280-24-018429
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001628280-24-018429.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001628280-24-018429.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Shawn Stewart was appointed as Chief Executive Officer at FORWARD AIR CORP.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Chief Executive Officer
  source text: appointed Shawn Stewart as Chief Executive Officer and director of the Company, effective April 28, 2024
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/912728/000162828024018429/0001628280-24-018429-index.htm
- Executive change
  Michael L. Hance changed role as Chief Legal Officer and Secretary at FORWARD AIR CORP.
  - Action: will continue as
  - Role: Chief Legal Officer and Secretary
  source text: Mr. Stewart will succeed Michael L. Hance in his position as Interim Chief Executive Officer as of the Effective Date. As of the Effective Date, Mr. Hance will continue as the Company’s Chief Legal Officer and Secretary.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/912728/000162828024018429/0001628280-24-018429-index.htm

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