GoFor announces new CEO
Ottawa’s GoFor Industries has named a new chief executive officer.
The company, which provides on-demand and same-day delivery and logistics for a variety of industries, including construction, announced on June 14 that Ian Gardner would succeed founder Brad Rollo as CEO.
Rollo, who was diagnosed with cancer last year, will transition to the company’s chief strategy officer. He remains the executive chairman of the company’s board.
"Founding and growing GoFor has been an absolute honor, privilege and one of the most rewarding things I have ever done; however, given the circumstances, I need to focus on my health to ensure the best possible outcome," said Rollo. “I started this company on the back of a napkin in late 2015 with a vision to create a better delivery alternative for big and bulky products in the construction industry, a mission we have definitely accomplished.”
Under Rollo’s leadership, GoFor serves a variety of industries beyond construction, including retail, e-commerce and fulfillment. The company operates out of 86 locations across Canada and the United States, and says it is on track to double its operating reach across the continent this year. Its employee headcount has increased over 150 percent since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, and revenue has grown by more than 5,000 percent over the last three years.
“I am very excited about the future of our business under Ian’s leadership and congratulate him on the appointment as CEO of this amazing company,” said Rollo. “Ian brings a wealth of expertise which will be incredibly valuable as we continue to execute on GoFor’s strategic growth initiatives. I am confident that GoFor will benefit from his insights, judgment and direction.”
Gardner most recently served as CEO of Royale EV, a commercial electric fleet-as-a-service provider. He joined GoFor as part of the company’s partnership with Royale EV, and brings over 25 years of experience in commercial EVs, energy, management consulting and finance.
Gardner also served as the president of Chanje Energy, the first medium-duty, all-electric commercial truck original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and the Chief Strategy and Investment Officer of LA Cleantech Incubator.
“I am honored to lead GoFor Industries, and on behalf of the entire executive team and board, I want to thank Brad for building this leading delivery and logistics marketplace. I look forward to evolving his vision and the success that the company has achieved under Brad’s leadership," said Gardner. “It is an exciting time for the company as we embark on important efforts to unlock GoFor’s full potential, scaling the business and diversifying our vertical mix and targeting new revenue streams.”
Featured image: New GoFor CEO Ian Gardner. (GoFor Industries)