Leadership
Our team at FWF is guided by dedicated and experienced leaders. Our leadership team values high performance, integrity, and a service-oriented approach, creating a supportive and effective workplace. Through their commitment and vision, they help us innovate and achieve great results for our clients.
Brian Bennett
CEO & Founder
Brian Bennett is a transformative leader whose journey from adversity to achievement has defined his role as the CEO and founder of Fifth Wheel Freight.…
Brian Bennett
CEO & Founder
Brian Bennett is a transformative leader whose journey from adversity to achievement has defined his role as the CEO and founder of Fifth Wheel Freight. Originally from Muskegon, Brian feels a deep connection to his roots, where he faced and overcame numerous challenges growing up. His dedication to giving back to his community is driven by these experiences. By creating jobs and empowering individuals, he aims to make a significant impact on those who need it most in West Michigan.
Brian understood early on what dedication and hard work meant, remembering how his mother worked multiple jobs to keep the family going and even assisted her own mother when needed. “I remember my mother taking extra work cleaning offices in the evening to make sure the family had what was needed to just make ends meet,” Brian reflects. His dedication is focused on creating jobs for those who are ready to rebuild their lives. At Fifth Wheel Freight, we go beyond logistics; we represent the power of transformation and the drive to uplift communities through empowerment and opportunity.
Brian ventured into the logistics industry during the 2008 recession, seizing the opportunity to learn and grow in an unfamiliar field. His experiences taught him the importance of stability and security—principles that became the foundation of FWF. Under his leadership, Fifth Wheel Freight has grown into more than just a logistics company. It is a beacon of empowerment and opportunity, providing employees with the tools they need to excel in both their personal and professional lives.
Brian is a dedicated father to three amazing children, ages 3, 5, and 8, who test his strength and fortitude daily. “Before fatherhood, I thought being a dad would be easy; now I understand it is the most challenging and most important role of my life,” Brian reflects with a sense of awe and gratitude. His commitment to his family is paralleled by his dedication to teaching the principles of creating value in every aspect of life. “I acknowledge this journey would not have been possible without the unwavering support, guidance, and love of my devoted wife, Julia. It’s her profound belief in me that has kept me going. Julia’s support has given me the strength and impetus to evolve into the leader I am today,” Brian shares emotionally. “My focus on ethical leadership, genuine respect, and a commitment to doing what is right is due to the fact that I must be my best every day for my family. I know we only have so much time on this earth, and I want my family and those families whose lives I am able to impact to be part of this legacy of helping others.”
His commitment to teaching life skills and creating opportunities mirrors his belief in uplifting those around him. “I want to provide others with the opportunities I wished I had growing up,” he says. This approach drives his efforts to foster a culture of support and empowerment within his company and community.
Brian is a firm believer in the power of staying true to core values while embracing growth and innovation. He advocates for a “day 1 mentality,” which emphasizes the importance of maintaining the passion and dedication that fueled FWF’s inception. His focus on ethical leadership, genuine respect, and a commitment to doing what is right has set a new standard in the logistics industry.
Beyond his professional position at FWF, Brian is passionate about giving back to the community and inspiring future generations to believe in their potential. He views success as a journey, one where continuous growth and impact are the ultimate goals.
Through his leadership at FWF, Brian Bennett is not only moving freight but also moving lives forward, proving that true champions are those who empower others to rise alongside them.
Reese Van Heck
Chief Growth Officer
Reese Van Heck, Chief Growth Officer at Fifth Wheel Freight, has always been driven by a passion for sales and a deep commitment to his…
Reese Van Heck
Chief Growth Officer
Reese Van Heck, Chief Growth Officer at Fifth Wheel Freight, has always been driven by a passion for sales and a deep commitment to his roots in Holland, Michigan. A graduate of Michigan State University with a degree in Sales and Marketing, Reese’s journey with FWF began in 2015 shortly after graduation, quickly rising through the ranks thanks to his leadership and vision. Reese had the opportunity to lead the company to Grand Rapids in 2017, kicking off a new era of growth for FWF.
Reese, like most of the executive team, worked his way from the sales floor to the leadership team. From initiating the Oversized/Overweight department, to kicking off the company’s hands on community involvement, he enjoys involvement in the evolution of all aspects of the organization.
As Chief Growth Officer, Reese focuses on creating opportunities for others, fostering a culture of empowerment and innovation. Outside of work, Reese enjoys playing poker, disc golf, and spending time with family and friends. His life motto, “Better busy than bored,” reflects his belief in living life to the fullest and continually striving for growth.
Josh Brawley
President
Josh proudly serves as the President of FWF and has loved bringing infectious energy to the team since the beginning of his career at FWF…
Josh Brawley
President
Josh proudly serves as the President of FWF and has loved bringing infectious energy to the team since the beginning of his career at FWF in 2016. A proud alumnus of Michigan State University, he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Commerce (with a concentration in Communication) but also spearheaded operations at Greenline, the largest call center in the BIG 10, sharpening his leadership acumen and fostering his love for organizational management.
Hailing from Niles, MI, Josh is not only passionate about his work but also about his roots. With over 50 family members residing in his hometown, his connections to Niles are strong and have significantly shaped the leader and person he is today. Josh is not only dedicated to leading FWF to new heights but is also deeply committed to giving back to the community that has given him so much.
Mike Haskell
Chief Financial Officer
Mike serves as the Chief Financial Officer at FWF, where he brings a wealth of experience and a deep passion for driving growth and scalability…
Mike Haskell
Chief Financial Officer
Mike serves as the Chief Financial Officer at FWF, where he brings a wealth of experience and a deep passion for driving growth and scalability in the logistics sector. With over 15 years of expertise, Mike has been instrumental in steering companies through significant expansions, optimizing financial performance, and enhancing operational efficiency.
A firm believer in the power of impact, Mike is dedicated not only to the success of the company but also to the well-being and development of its people and the broader community. Beyond the balance sheets and financial strategies, Mike is deeply passionate about financial literacy. Recognizing the gap left by traditional institutions, he has committed himself to educating the workforce on financial matters, offering his time and experience to enhance the financial well-being of teammates. His initiatives aim to equip individuals with the knowledge and tools necessary to make informed financial decisions, fostering a community of financially savvy and independent thinkers.
A proud alumnus of Central Michigan University, Mike’s academic journey in accounting and subsequent attainment of his CPA certificate have been the bedrock of his professional path. These accomplishments have equipped him with the expertise to lead with both insight and innovation.
Inspired by his wife and daughter, Mike’s drive to excel is deeply personal. His commitment to making his family proud is reflected in his leadership—balancing strategic financial management with a genuine dedication to the well-being of his team and the community at large.
Tyler Vande Poel
Chief Operations Officer
Tyler is a native of Holland, Michigan where he lives with his wife, and dogs Dave & Griffyn. He played soccer at Aquinas College and…
Tyler Vande Poel
Chief Operations Officer
Tyler is a native of Holland, Michigan where he lives with his wife, and two golden retrievers. He played soccer at Aquinas College and earned a degree in Business Administration.
Following graduation, he knew he wanted to go into logistics as his college roommate and sister were both in the industry. Tyler recognized the opportunity the logistics industry provides with its fragmentation of market share, recession resistant environment, and ability for career growth. Specifically , Tyler was inspired by the opportunity for growth when he started at FWF as a logistics consultant. Six years later, he serves as the COO at FWF.
Today, Tyler strives to streamline processes and he loves seeing others grow and gain new opportunities. His passion is not just about freight; he is equally passionate about golden retrievers, golf, and his close-knit family. Tyler has a passion for growth and a genuine appreciation for life’s simple joys.
Grant McDonald
VP of Operations
Originating from the east side of Michigan, Grant McDonald moved to Grand Rapids in pursuit of a business degree at Grand Valley State University. After…
Grant McDonald
VP of Operations
Originating from the east side of Michigan, Grant McDonald moved to Grand Rapids in pursuit of a business degree at Grand Valley State University. After graduating with a degree in Supply Chain Management and Marketing, Grant joined FWF in the spring of 2020 in our entry level sales role.
Grant is now the VP of Operations where he works closely alongside our team to ensure day-to-day business operations are running smoothly. One of Grant’s drivers is seeing others succeed and achieve their goals, to help grow and grow with those around him. Seeing others seize the opportunities they can create for themselves is what makes Grant excited for what the future holds.
Chad Vos
VP of Sales
Chad grew up on Chicago’s West Side before moving to Michigan for school where he swore he would never hold a job indoors. After an…
Chad Vos
VP of Sales
Chad grew up on Chicago’s West Side before moving to Michigan for school where he swore he would never hold a job indoors. After an extended season of living out of a backpack, he discovered his lifestyle preferences were at odds with those of his now-wife, who appreciates central air and plumbing. A series of timely events led him into logistics, where his passion for life and growth show up in a commitment to step up for others.
Chad operates under a philosophy that says excellence is a practice, and B2B service can only be excellent if servitude is practiced at all of an organization’s levels. When he gets the chance, he still enjoys living out of a backpack and is grateful to share his passion for the outdoors with his 3 children
Nick Beukema
VP of Technology
Nick Beukema is a forward-thinking innovator dedicated to transforming the freight market at Fifth Wheel Freight. A native of West Michigan, Nick’s passion for his…
Nick Beukema
VP of Technology
Nick Beukema is a forward-thinking innovator dedicated to transforming the freight market at Fifth Wheel Freight. A native of West Michigan, Nick’s passion for his hometown led him to Grand Valley State University, where he earned a B.S. in Computer Science. His career in software development has spanned various industries, focusing on building software and products to drive efficiency and innovation.
At FWF, Nick leverages his technical expertise to develop cutting-edge solutions that streamline operations and enhance the company’s reach. His work in creating sophisticated algorithms and automated systems has been instrumental in pushing FWF to new heights, fostering a culture of technological advancement and continuous improvement. Despite his obsession with optimizing and automating, Nick’s core drive is to uplift people and create rich relationships, ensuring technology serves to enhance human connections.
Outside of work, Nick is a devoted husband and father, with his wife and son serving as the driving force behind his dedication and hard work. His family is at the heart of everything he does, motivating him to excel in all aspects of life.
Nick Beukema embodies the spirit of innovation and dedication, both in his professional endeavors at FWF and in his personal life. His commitment to building a better future through technology and his love for his family make him a true leader and inspiration to those around him.
Careers with FWF
Sales professionals wanted. FWF is in pursuit of ambitious, relentless trailblazers. We’re seeking individuals who embody the spirit of collaboration and unwavering determination. Ideal team members are:
- Aimed at elevating their financial standing rapidly
- A commitment to industry competition through excellence
- Committed to turning ambitious goals into reality
Results-Oriented Environment
Opportunity for Career Growth
We Promote From Within