The Airforwarders Association (AfA) has appointed aviation and supply chain executive Steve Smith as its new Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Brandon Fried, who has led the organisation for 21 years.
Fried will remain with the association during a transition period to support the handover as Smith assumes responsibility for the organisation and its advocacy work on behalf of the airfreight forwarding sector. The appointment was announced on September 28.
Smith brings aviation and humanitarian logistics experience
Smith brings more than 25 years of leadership experience across aviation, logistics and humanitarian response. He spent 13 years as President and CEO of Airlink, the humanitarian aviation organisation, having previously held a senior commercial position with Rolls-Royce Civil Aerospace.
During his tenure at Airlink, Smith developed the organisation from a one-person start-up into a nonprofit with nearly US$20 million in annual revenue, according to the announcement. Airlink worked with more than 50 airlines and logistics companies and 250 humanitarian organisations across 100 countries, supporting responses to more than 200 disasters and crises.
Airlink’s own announcement of Smith’s departure in 2025 confirms that he served as the organisation’s leader for 13 years and was its first CEO. It also records his involvement in major humanitarian responses, including the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, the war in Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Smith left Airlink in September 2025 and was succeeded as President and CEO by Paloma Adams-Allen.
Leadership transition at the AfA
Fried has served as Executive Director of the Airforwarders Association since November 2005. The association’s official staff page records his more than three decades of experience in air freight and his longstanding role representing the sector on security, regulatory and policy issues.
Under the transition arrangement, Fried will work with Smith as the incoming CEO takes on his responsibilities progressively. The arrangement is intended to maintain continuity in the association’s advocacy activities while the leadership change takes place.
The AfA represents companies involved in the air cargo forwarding sector and engages with policymakers and other industry stakeholders on issues affecting the movement of freight. Its current areas of activity include advocacy, education, cargo security and industry policy.
Focus on predictability, infrastructure and trade policy
Smith said the association’s role comes at a time when changes in trade policy, geopolitical disruption and infrastructure constraints are placing additional pressure on supply chains.
“Forwarders need greater predictability as they navigate these pressures, and investment in the infrastructure that keeps it moving.”
He also said he intends to work with AfA members and the wider industry to ensure freight forwarders continue to have a voice in Washington and in discussions affecting global trade.
Fried said Smith’s background gives him experience across aviation and logistics, as well as established relationships within the industry.
“Steve brings extensive aviation and logistics experience, a strong understanding of air cargo, and established relationships across all areas of the industry.”
Fried added that Smith would build on the association’s work over the past two decades.
A new chapter for the forwarding sector
The leadership change comes as airfreight forwarders continue to operate against a backdrop of changing trade policies, geopolitical disruptions and infrastructure challenges.
The AfA has remained active on policy and regulatory issues throughout 2026. Its recent official releases have addressed trade negotiations, air waybill rules, airport customs operations, aviation security and the impact of geopolitical developments on cargo services.
Smith’s combination of commercial aviation, logistics and humanitarian-response experience will now form the basis of his work leading the association, while Fried supports the transition from his 21-year tenure.
