ODW Logistics Adds 30-Year Industry Veterans to Advisory Board

For HR leaders, advisory board appointments are a strategic lever to infuse top-tier expertise without full-time executive costs. ODW Logistics’ addition of two heavyweights—one a former president of Con-way Freight and the other the CEO of a $2.5 billion logistics giant—illustrates how private companies can access C-suite caliber guidance to navigate complex growth phases. This move raises the bar for board-level talent in the logistics sector, where hands-on operational knowledge is as critical as strategic oversight.

ODW Logistics, a leading third-party logistics (3PL) provider headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, announced on July 27, 2026, the appointment of John Labrie and Charlie DeLacey to its Board of Advisors. The move, disclosed via a press release, brings decades of operational and executive experience into the company’s strategic orbit as it seeks to scale its integrated logistics solutions. While board of advisor appointments in privately held companies often fly under the radar, the caliber of these additions signals an aggressive growth posture for ODW, likely aimed at expanding service lines, pursuing acquisitions, or preparing for an eventual capital event.

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ODW Logistics’ addition of two heavyweights—one a former president of Con-way Freight and the other the CEO of a $2.5 billion logistics giant—illustrates how private companies can access C-suite caliber guidance to navigate complex growth phases.

Labrie’s career spans over thirty years across virtually every segment of transportation and logistics. He spent two decades at Con-way, culminating as President of Con-way Freight, one of the nation’s largest less-than-truckload (LTL) carriers. He later served as CEO of Network Global Logistics, MNX Global Logistics—which was eventually absorbed into UPS—and most recently Quantix, a leading provider of supply chain services for the chemical and plastics industries. This breadth of experience in LTL, freight brokerage, managed transportation, contract logistics, and forwarding equips him to advise on operational discipline, network optimization, and scalable growth. Labrie’s track record in turnaround and acquisition integration at Quantix and MNX is particularly relevant for ODW, which may be eyeing a similar playbook of rolling up niche capabilities under a unified platform.

DeLacey brings a different but equally potent perspective. As CEO of Kenan Advantage Group (KAG), he runs North America’s largest bulk transportation and logistics provider, a $2.5 billion enterprise owned by private equity. KAG operates a complex network of tank truck carriers serving fuels, chemicals, agriculture, food, and industrial sectors across the U.S. and Canada. DeLacey’s wheelhouse includes financial discipline at scale, capital allocation, and growth through acquisition in a PE-backed environment—precisely the kind of expertise a mid-market 3PL would need if it intends to deploy capital aggressively or court institutional investors. Additionally, his Ohio roots and Harvard MBA suggest a blend of local market savvy and Ivy League strategic polish.

The dual appointment signals a deliberate boardroom upgrade. ODW is not a startup founder’s passion project; it is an established player in warehousing, transportation management, and freight brokerage. Adding advisors of this stature elevates its governance profile and likely enhances credibility with lenders, investors, and large enterprise customers who demand sophisticated, end-to-end supply chain solutions. The press release explicitly cites “evaluate growth opportunities, strengthen execution, and continue building scalable solutions” as the expected contribution from Labrie and DeLacey. This language often precedes a period of inorganic expansion, geographic footprint growth, or technology investment.

For the broader 3PL industry, such appointments reflect a maturation trend. As shippers increasingly consolidate their logistics spend with a handful of strategic partners, mid-size 3PLs must demonstrate both operational breadth and strategic depth to win business. Experienced board advisors can help navigate the complexity of multi-modal solutions, labor-intensive operations, and technology integration. ODW’s move also mirrors a talent war at the top: seasoned logistics executives are in high demand as the industry grapples with e‑commerce-driven velocity, reshoring dynamics, and the promise of AI-enabled supply chain management.