Executive Team
Bradley S. Jacobs, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman
Bradley Jacobs is chief executive officer and chairman of the board of directors. He has led two public companies: United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE: URI), which he co-founded in 1997, and United Waste Systems, Inc., founded in 1989. Mr. Jacobs served as chairman and chief executive officer of United Rentals for its first six years and as executive chairman for an additional four years. He served eight years as chairman and chief executive officer of United Waste Systems. Previously, Mr. Jacobs founded Hamilton Resources (UK) Ltd. and served as its chairman and chief operating officer. This followed the co-founding of his first venture, Amerex Oil Associates, Inc., where he was chief executive officer. Mr. Jacobs is a member of the board of directors of the Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavior Therapy.
J. Thomas Connolly, Senior Vice President–Acquisitions
J. Thomas Connolly is responsible for executing the company’s growth strategy related to the acquisition of transportation logistics businesses. He most recently served as managing director of EVE Partners, LLC, a leading financial advisory firm whose practice is focused exclusively on the transportation logistics industry. He holds a master of business administration degree from the Goizueta Business School at Emory University.
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Troy A. Cooper, Senior Vice President–Finance
Troy Cooper is responsible for providing financial support to the company’s business units to align performance with strategic objectives. Mr. Cooper was most recently with United Rentals, Inc., where he served as vice president–group controller responsible for field finance functions. Previously, he held controller positions with United Waste Systems, Inc. and OSI Specialties, Inc. (formerly a division of Union Carbide, Inc.). Mr. Cooper began his career in public accounting with Arthur Andersen and Co. and is a certified public accountant.
Gordon E. Devens, Senior Vice President and General Counsel
Gordon Devens is responsible for all corporate legal matters, governance and compliance, as well as the company’s legal interests relating to acquisitions and other growth initiatives. He was most recently vice president–corporate development with AutoNation, Inc., where he previously held positions as vice president–associate general counsel and senior counsel for its retail automotive group. Earlier, he was an associate at the law firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, where he specialized in mergers and acquisitions and securities law. He holds a doctorate of jurisprudence degree from the University of Michigan Law School.
M. Sean Fernandez, Chief Operating Officer
Sean Fernandez is responsible for the day-to-day operations and P&L performance of the company. Mr. Fernandez has more than 20 years of leadership experience with global companies in industries that include distribution, consumer goods manufacturing, trucking and transportation. He most recently served as senior vice president and general manager–consumables for NCR Corporation, and earlier held positions as vice president–new growth platforms with Avery Dennison Corporation; chief operating officer with SIRVA, Inc.; group president with Esselte Corporation; chief operating officer–Asia Pac operations and divisional president with Arrow Electronics, Inc.; and senior engagement manager with McKinsey & Company, Inc. He holds a master of business administration degree from Harvard Business School.
John J. Hardig, Chief Financial Officer
John Hardig is responsible for leading the company's financial operations in support of its growth strategy. He most recently served as a managing director in the Transportation & Logistics investment banking group with Stifel Nicolaus Weisel. Previously, he was an investment banker in the Transportation and Telecom groups at Alex. Brown & Sons (now Deutsche Bank). Mr. Hardig has represented market leaders in truck and rail brokerage, international freight forwarding, value-added warehousing and distribution, and trucking. He has advised transportation and logistics companies on more than 60 mergers and acquisitions and capital market transactions, including lead-managed IPOs for C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. and Hub Group, Inc. His equity underwriting experience also includes follow-on equity offerings for Forward Air, Inc., Heartland Express, Inc. and Knight Transportation, Inc. He holds a master of business administration degree from the University of Michigan Business School and a bachelor’s degree from the U.S. Naval Academy.
Mario A. Harik, Chief Information Officer
Mario Harik is responsible for the design and implementation of the company’s integrated technology infrastructure. Mr. Harik has consulted to Fortune 100 firms, and is experienced in building comprehensive IT organizations and proprietary platforms. His prior positions include chief information officer and senior vice president–research and development with Oakleaf Waste Management; chief technology officer with Tallan, Inc.; co-founder of G3 Analyst, where he served as chief architect of web and voice applications; and architect and consultant with Adea Solutions. Mr. Harik holds a master of engineering degree in information technology from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Scott B. Malat, Senior Vice President–Strategic Planning
Scott Malat is responsible for advising on the company’s strategy and capital structure; analyzing potential acquisitions and other growth opportunities; and managing investor relations. Mr. Malat was most recently with Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., where he served as senior equity research analyst covering the air, rail, trucking and shipping sectors. Prior to Goldman Sachs, Mr. Malat was an equity research analyst with UBS, and a strategy manager with JPMorgan Chase & Co. He serves on the board of directors of the non-profit PSC Partners Seeking a Cure. He is a CFA® charterholder and has a degree in statistics with a concentration in business management from Cornell University.
Richard M. Metzler, Senior Vice President–Acquisitions
Richard Metzler is responsible for acquisitions and business development. Mr. Metzler most recently served as chief commercial officer for Greatwide Logistics Services, LLC, with prior positions as executive vice president of marketing–Americas for DHL Express, Inc.; and senior vice president—marketing and customer service, Transport International Pool for GE Capital (now GE Trailer Fleet Services). Previously, he held numerous senior positions with Federal Express Corporation, including vice president and general manager, FedEx Logistics–Americas. Mr. Metzler is a member of the boards of directors of EcoSquid, Inc., Flash Global Logistics, Inc. and the Transportation Marketing and Sales Association.
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Kent R. Renner, Senior Vice President–Chief Accounting Officer
Kent Renner is responsible for external financial reporting, accounting operations, financial systems and internal controls. Mr. Renner was most recently global controller with GE Energy Services, Inc., a $16 billion revenue division of General Electric Company. Previously, he held positions as assistant corporate controller with The Home Depot, Inc., and senior manager with PricewaterhouseCoopers. Mr. Renner has a master's degree in accounting from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and degrees in economics and business management from North Carolina State University. He is a certified public accountant.
Gregory W. Ritter, Senior Vice President–Brokerage Operations
Gregory Ritter is responsible for opening and developing new truck brokerage operations in North America, due diligence related to acquisitions, and recruitment of an expanded sales and carrier procurement workforce. Mr. Ritter has more than three decades of sales and management experience in multi-modal transportation logistics. He most recently served as the president of a brokerage subsidiary that he established for one of the top 10 transportation logistics providers in North America. Previously, Mr. Ritter spent 22 years with C.H. Robinson Worldwide.