Forager Logistics Expands Executive Team, Appoints Jessie Essman COO

Forager Logistics’ mission is to change the way freight moves throughout North America

Forager Logistics, the fast-growing cross-border freight solutions start-up, today announced the appointment of Jessie Essman to the role of Chief Operating Officer. With extensive logistics and project management experience over the past decade, Essman brings valuable leadership to Forager’s executive team during a period of rapid growth.

As COO, Essman will lead the HR, Recruiting, Marketing, Compliance, and IT departments and is responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations, ensuring Forager delivers on the promises made to its customers.

“Jessie joins Forager with a wealth of operational and project management experience at successful businesses inside and out of our industry,” said Matt Silver, Forager Logistics’ CEO and co-founder. “We are thrilled to have a steady hand at the operational helm as we continue to scale our business and broaden our customer base.”

Prior to joining Forager, Essman acted as Project Manager of Business Transformation for Stepan Company (a $2 billion chemical manufacturer headquartered near Chicago). During her tenure there, she oversaw several transformative projects, including the acquisition of a large chemical manufacturing plant in Mexico and a global IT roll-out.

Before joining Stepan Company, Essman rose quickly through the ranks at Coyote Logistics (a $3 billion third-party logistics provider headquartered in Chicago). There she gained valuable experience in LTL operations before working under the VP of Finance and COO, focused on special projects including ISO 9001 Certification, quality control and developing standard operating procedures for all departments across the company. Essman was also a project manager in IT, implementing several long-standing release management policies and procedures as well as overseeing SOX compliance efforts, before working with HR to provide similar procedural structures. She also worked in the managed transportation division, performing as a Project Manager, overseeing the implementation and onboarding process of a new management product solution for one of the largest shippers in the world.

“Forager Logistics is experiencing accelerated growth with the success of its cross-border solutions and its servicing of complex supply chains,” said Essman. “It is a tremendous opportunity to join Matt and the Forager team, and I am excited and eager to help further the company’s success.”

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