Scott M. Niswonger

Scott M. Niswonger has distinguished himself as a successful businessman, aviator, entrepreneur, community leader and philanthropist.

Scott M. Niswonger

He is currently chairman and CEO of Forward Air Corporation and majority owner of Landair Transport, living in Greeneville, Tenn.

Born and raised in Van Wert, Ohio, Niswonger came to Purdue out of high school and graduated in 1968 with a degree in aviation technology. He is a certified airline transport pilot and has flown everything from J-3 Cubs through Boeing 747 aircraft. He is a graduate of the United Airlines Training Academy in Denver, Colo., and added a degree in business administration from Tusculum College in 1987.

Niswonger co-founded Landair Transport in 1981 with an initial $2,000 investment. Today he is the majority shareholder of Landair Transport while also serving as chairman of Forward Air Corporation, which has been recognized by Forbes magazine as one of the "Top 200 Small Companies" in America. The two companies have a combined annual revenue of $370 million, providing high service level truckload operations and contract services to the air cargo industry and time definite shippers.

Niswonger is very active in community affairs. He is past chairman of the Greene County Partnership, serves as a trustee at Tusculum College, is a member of the Dean’s Executive Council for the School of Technology at Purdue, and is a board member and honorary alumnus of East Tennessee State University. In addition, he is an ordained elder in the Greeneville Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

Niswonger is a founding director of Junior Achievement in Greene County and was inducted into the Business Hall of Fame in 1999. Ernt & Young recognized him in 1999 as Entrepreneur of the Year for the Southeast.

He established the Niswonger Foundation in 2001 to create opportunities for individuals and community growth through education, scholarships and other charitable activities. Gov. Don Sundquist has appointed him vice-chair of the Tennessee Board of Economic Growth and chairman of the Building and Finance Committee for the State of Tennessee.