Management Team

Robert E. Ness is the Chairman & CEO of ODW Logistics, Inc., Dist-Trans Company, and ODW Contract Services. Bob is a graduate of Wittenberg University with a degree in political science. He started his career in 1966 and co-founded Ohio Distribution Warehouse Corp (now ODW Logistics, Inc.) in 1971.

Under his leadership, ODW has enjoyed impressive growth and consistent profitability. He is recognized as a leader in the logistics industry and has given numerous presentations on warehouse operations, budget analysis and rate making at The Ohio State University, CLM, WERC and IWLA Conferences. In 1999, Bob was selected to serve on the Board of Directors for the International Warehouse Logistics Association (IWLA) in Chicago. He was chairman of the board of the IWLA in 2002. He has also worked diligently to promote the Columbus area as a prominent location for logistics growth, and has specifically assisted in activating the Foreign Trade Zone at Rickenbacker Industrial Park.

John R. Ness is President and owner of ODW Logistics, Inc. and affiliates. ODW is a logistics service provider headquartered in Columbus, Ohio offering asset based warehousing and distribution and asset and non-asset based transportation services to a diverse customer base. ODW affiliated companies include Dist-Trans Co., ODW Contract Services, ODW LTS, LLC, and Staffing Leadership Group, LLC.

John leads a highly capable management team using a collaborative style that emphasizes leveraging strengths and experiences to move the company forward. A passionate entrepreneur, John lead ODW through its first business acquisition in 2007 that significantly expanded the company's scope and reach. He has successfully launched four new businesses in the last five years.

Professionally, John is on the Columbus Chamber of Commerce board of directors and executive committee. He is also a founder and Co-Chair of the Columbus Region Logistics Council. He is past chairman of the Ohio Warehouse Logistics Association (OWLA) and is active in the International Warehouse Logistics Association (IWLA), where he is past chairman of the Emerging Leaders Council. John is an active member of Young Presidents Organization (YPO).

A graduate of Wittenberg University with a B.S in Management, John joined ODW as Warehouse Manager and progressed in responsibilities working in various capacities in Operations, Sales & Marketing, Finance and Transportation. He assumed the role of President of the ODW companies in 2003.

Garry H. Calvert is Vice President of Marketing for ODW Contract Services at ODW Logistics, Inc. Garry Calvert is a graduate of Waterloo University College in Ontario, Canada and holds an M.B.A. degree from the Harvard Business School.

Garry has worked with several major transportation companies, including motor carrier, rail and ocean, and developed more than thirty large-scale product transfer terminal and distribution center operations. For the past ten years he has focused on the development and implementation of third party contract solutions, each specifically designed to meet the material handling and distribution needs of "Fortune 500" companies.

Jeff Clark is the Vice President of Sales & Marketing at ODW Logistics. Jeff is responsible for preparing and implementing ODW's marketing and business development plan. Jeff graduated from Purdue University with a degree in Management in 1986 and from The Ohio State University with a Master's Degree in City and Regional Planning in 1994.

Upon completion of graduate school, Jeff worked for nine years with the Rickenbacker Port Authority, operator of Rickenbacker International Airport and Grantee of FTZ #138, overseeing the Port Authorities air cargo and FTZ programs, and its marketing functions as the Marketing Director.

He is an active member of the International Warehouse Logistics Association, including earning this associations Certified Logistics Professional designation, a Warehouse Education and Research Council member, Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals, the Columbus Chamber of Commerce Advanced Logistics Initiative, and an Eagle Scout.

Robert (Bob) Gjerde is the Regional Vice President for Operations in California. Bob is responsible for the day to day activities as well as the strategic direction of the region. Bob began his work in the industry in 1982 at Quill, now a division of Staples, where he held various leadership roles in the distribution area. By 1993 he relocated to Rancho Cucamonga California, as the Director of Operations for Tash Distribution Inc., where he and his wife and four daughters live today. During Bob's nearly 30 years in the industry he has worked with logistics industry leaders, cutting edge technology and an array of "best in class" Quality and Safety programs. During Bob’s assignments in executive roles with organizations such as New Breed and OHL, he received recognition and awards for both personal and team accomplishments.

Although Bob heavily values his active work and membership in trade groups like APICS, WERC and the DMA, it is his time and energy spent on local charitable and non-profit groups like The Giving Spirit or AYSO that fuels his passion. Bob enjoys producing art in a variety of mediums and forms. Some of his works have made their way into private collections and one is proudly on display in a local museum.

David L. Hill is the Chief Financial Officer at ODW Logistics, Inc. and its affiliate companies. He is a graduate of the University of Kentucky and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting. Dave is also a Certified Public Accountant.

Dave has an extensive breadth and depth of financial experience working with private and small public companies in the equipment rental and construction contracting industries. He also practiced in public accounting with companies in several different industries while at Price Waterhouse.Dave is in charge of all financial management reporting, tax reporting, risk management, financing and investor relations and oversees the retirement, medical and other benefit programs of ODW and its affiliates. Dave was impressed with ODW's committment to customer satisfaction.

Robin Lynch has recently joined ODW Logistics, Inc. as Vice President of Human Resources. In her new role, Lynch will provide vision, leadership and expertise to ODW's continuing national growth.

Lynch comes to ODW with nearly 28 years of human resources experience including labor/employee relations, policy development, benefits, lean manufacturing and leadership development. Prior to joining ODW, Lynch was the director of human resources and safety from 2000-2011 at Crane Plastics Siding LLC, and held several other roles within the Crane Plastics Company's Human Resources department.

She received her BA in business administration from Ohio Dominican University and her AA in business management from Columbus State Community College. Lynch also holds extensive certifications from the Bureau of Workman's Compensation and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. She volunteers for many community organizations including Operation Feed, Habitat for Humanity, Boy Scouts of America and the Franklin County Christmas for Children Program.

John (Jack) R. MacKenzie is Vice President of Operations, for ODW Contract Services of ODW Logistics, Inc. Jack is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Jack has had the unique experience of being responsible for development, implementation, and operation of "World Class" systems and operations for General Motors, Diamond-Star Motors (Chrysler-Mitsubishi joint venture), J.I. Case Company, Procter and Gamble, Caterpillar, Xerox Corporation, American Honda Motors and Navistar.

Jack has been responsible for setting the highest industrial standards for operating excellence and inventory control through his use of innovative technologies and material handling equipment applications.

Jon Petticrew is a graduate of Adrian College, Adrian, MI, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. His career began at Fruehauf Trailer Corporation where he held numerous positions in Accounting and Distribution Operations. Jon has also held senior supply chain positions with American Standard and Newell Rubbermaid.

Jon is an active member of both the International Warehouse Logistics Association (IWLA) and the Warehousing Education and Research Council (WERC), and has presented at conferences both regionally and nationally. He is also an honored member in the Athletic Hall of Fame at Adrian College in Michigan, as well as involved in various youth sporting associations.

As VP of Operations for ODW Logistics, Inc. and Dist-Trans Co., Jon is responsible for the day to day activities as well as the strategic direction of the operations.