Doug Smith

About Doug Smith

I am a pragmatic business executive with a servant leadership approach leading global teams within multiple Fortune companies. This leadership approach has brought about transformations in organizations from a policy and tactical focus to a true HR Business Partner approach, helping align business strategy to human capital strategies. As a driven human centric leader with a propensity for business, I have increased engagement and developed a culture of accountability for the betterment of the organization. With over 20 years of experience, I have an exceptional track record of success in union and non-union environments through using a humanistic approach, building strong business partnerships and advisory roles to senior executives as well as Board of Director members. My strong business acumen, leadership courage and focus on longer-term strategic vision has led to several opportunities to improve business results through people. Throughout my years as an executive HR Business Leader, I have been extremely fortunate to develop competency and expertise in many areas, including: Executive Coaching, Labor Relations, PER, Talent Management, Leadership Development, Succession Planning, M&A, Integration, HR Transformation, Total Rewards, Executive Compensation, Communications, and EH & S. My extensive industry experience within Manufacturing, Transportation (Airline, Intermodal, Less-than-Truckload Freight, Truckload, Warehouse Operations), Logistics, Supply Chain, Consumer Packaged Goods, Direct-Store-Delivery Sales and Operations, and Materials and Components allows me to draw on these diverse experiences to bring about business success. What makes me unique? I have been working and fostering my servant leadership from the age of 6. From selling beverages at my father’s softball games, supporting many elderly neighbors with snow shoveling, landscaping and other odd jobs, having my own paper route, as well as working my way through college, I have always been working. This work ethic and do-what-it-takes mentality, which is greatly attributed to my humble upbringing and two of the best parents anyone could have, enabled me to learn about leadership, dealing with adversity, and conflict resolution. Select Accomplishments: Instituted collaborative labor planning process and served as key-decision maker for contract negotiations leading to significant reductions in labor costs (~$30M) Business lead on $45M fleet upgrade and driver qualification project ensuring DOT compliance while maintaining full operational levels

Experience

1. Chief People Officer

   Forward Air Corporation

   Dec 2024 — Present · Dallas, TX, US

Education

• Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg

  Bachelor of Science - BS, Business Administration / Management

  1988 — 1991

Skills

• Leadership
• Employee Benefits
• Executive Coaching
• Affirmative Action
• Personnel Management
• Coaching
• Recruiting
• Fmla
• Performance Management
• Employee Training
• HR Consulting
• Succession Planning
• Strategic Planning
• Employee Relations
• Change Management
• Organizational Design
• Strategic HR
• Talent Management
• Compensation & Benefit
• Career Development
• Hiring
• Interviews
• Leadership Development
• New Hire Orientations
• HR Transformation
• Deferred Compensation
• Talent Acquisition
• Human Resources
• Training
• Labor Relations
• Onboarding
• Employment Law
• Organizational Effectiveness
• Workforce Planning
• College Recruiting
• Union Avoidance
• Organizational Development
• Employer Branding
• Management
• Team Building