Airlink Founder Takes Lead at Airforwarders Association

The Airforwarders Association has appointed Steve Smith, founder and former CEO of Airlink, as its new executive director, succeeding Brandon Fried who is retiring after leading the organization for 21 years. Smith brings extensive experience in aviation logistics and humanitarian supply chain coordination, having grown Airlink from a startup into a $20 million annual revenue non-profit that connects disaster relief organizations with airlines. His appointment signals a strategic emphasis on advocacy for air cargo security, airport infrastructure, and trade facilitation at a time when supply chains face mounting pressures from geopolitical disruption, shifting trade policies, and aging infrastructure. Smith's background uniquely positions the association to address contemporary supply chain challenges.

During his tenure at Airlink, the organization coordinated responses to over 200 crises across 100 countries, partnering with 50+ airlines and 250 humanitarian groups to assist 80 million people. He has also served as a NATO subject matter expert on public-private resilience cooperation. His prior experience as director of civil aerospace at Rolls Royce demonstrates negotiation prowess in high-stakes commercial aviation deals. This combination of humanitarian logistics expertise and aerospace industry credibility enhances the AfA's capacity to influence policy on issues critical to forwarders.

For supply chain professionals and air cargo stakeholders, this leadership transition matters significantly. The AfA's advocacy directly impacts regulatory environments affecting freight forwarding operations, from security protocols to infrastructure investment priorities. Smith's emphasis on predictability, infrastructure investment, and effective Washington advocacy aligns with industry demands for regulatory clarity amid geopolitical volatility and capacity constraints. Organizations dependent on air cargo networks should monitor the AfA's policy agenda under Smith's leadership, as changes to trade facilitation frameworks or security protocols could reshape operational costs and compliance requirements.