Our Leadership Team - Special Service Freight Company

Steve Perriman

President Corporate

Charlotte, NC

Steve has forty years of leadership, capital raising, advisory, building business and decision making experience across a range of industries and professions. He has substantial entrepreneurial experience within the logistics industry, and an extensive knowledge of the detail and inter-dependency of operations, finance, sales & marketing, HR, compliance, and legal issues. Steve served as a British Military Officer for eleven years before moving into International Finance. He worked at a number of Global Financial Institutions, advising and raising capital for many Companies and projects. He was then recruited to be COO of two tech start-up companies, after which he acquired Special Service Freight Company. Steve likes sports, motorcycling, hunting and general traveling.

Ciprian 'Chip' Popovici

Chief Operating Officer

Charlotte, NC

Chip Popovici has been a transportation professional since 1999 working in various capacities for shippers, carriers, and 3PLs. This has given him a broad understanding of the challenges faced by all participants of the transportation equation. When not ‘firefighting’ or looking for efficiencies and improvements in the day to day operations and compliance of the Special Service network, you can find him enjoying a soccer game or visiting historical sites.

Shane Foti

Vice President - Accounting & Controller

Charlotte, NC

Shane has been an accounting professional for 20 years, focused on the service and manufacturing industries. He has worked for large multinational corporations as well as owned his own business, and both understands and has experienced the functional and logistical challenges in businesses, both large and small. Originally from New Jersey, he has lived in North Carolina for 15 years, including a year in Hawaii. An Eagle Scout in his youth, he is an avid outdoorsman and traveler.

Mike Ritter

VP Customer Solutions

Charlotte, NC

Mike brings 20 plus years’ executive management and sales experience in logistics, warehousing and distribution. He has a strong background in the international import / export logistics market. Mike is originally from the northeast, but saw the light and relocated to the North Carolina over a decade ago with his wife, three sons and daughter. Mike enjoys sports, backyard barbecuing, carpentry and spending quality time with his family.

Fabian Gomez

Terminal Manager

Atlanta, GA

Fabian has been in Logistics for 15 years. He has worked with the largest cargo companies in South America (Latam) and Asia (Cathay Pacific), and also with Amazon as one of the Atlanta Operations Managers running the largest Last Mile Amazon DC in the US. He is originally from the coffee zone of Colombia, Pereira, Risaralda, and likes to spend free time with his family. Obviously, he loves Soccer, ¡Ole!.

Oscar Royster

Operations Manager

Atlanta, GA

Originally hailing from Jersey, Oscar has ten years logistics experience inclusive working with Fedex Express and Amazon’s AMZL logistics arm. He has a passion for process improvement and customer relations which he sees as the two major keys to success in a fast paced delivery and pick-up environment . He is currently working on his lean six sigma certifications to expand his knowledge in the process improvement industry.

Cindy Royals

Customer Solutions Manager

Atlanta, GA

With more than 30 years of logistics experience, Cindy appreciates that we are an extension of your shipping department – you are only as good as the results we provide on your behalf. The majority of Cindy’s career has been spent in international logistics on the forwarder’s side. Her goal is literally for our team to deliver the quality level of service our customers deserve. She is a textile artist who enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters.

Conrad Taylor

Terminal Manager

Asheville, NC

Conrad has over 20 years of management and leadership experience. Starting out in hotel and restaurant management, which somehow morphed into the realm of graphic design for screen and print, and then upward into logistics. Conrad has spent the last 5 years with Special Service and has been part of three different teams in Raleigh, Wilmington and for the past two years, Asheville, NC. His experience and daily involvement covers all facets of the business from warehouse management, dispatching, delivery, customer service, billing and running the fleet and drivers for the day to day operations of our Asheville NC terminal.

Kee Lightner

Terminal Manager

Charlotte, NC

I am Kimathi (Kee) Lightner and I have over 20 years of Logistics experience. I was born in Dorchester, Massachusetts but raised in Rock Hill, SC. I worked my way up from Dispatching to Sales/Business Development Manager to Regional Development Manager and still learning. I look forward to the challenges of the day to day in logistics and being able to find the solution to gain that competitive edge. I love God, spending time with family & friends, playing football & basketball as well as watching football & basketball.

Craig Mercer

Terminal Manager

Charleston, SC

Craig has been involved in logistics for more than ten years. He has as a Freight Forwarder, and in local P&D operations, warehousing and hot-shots. He believes that customer service is priority ONE. He enjoys being outdoors with his Family and going on “Adventures

James Williams

Operations Manager

Charlotte, NC

James (Jay) brings more than 20 years of transportation management, logistics, and driving experience to the Special Service team. He began his career in the transportation industry as a professional truck driver and has worked his way up the management chain due to hard work, perseverance, and a desire to for growth. He has a passion for building and maintaining relationships and is excited to bridge the gaps between Special Service Freight Co., its customers, and associates. James enjoys spending time with his family, creative arts, and outdoor activities. Go Ravens!

Gladys Pardo

Terminal Manager

Miami, FL

With over 35 years of experience in the logistics industry, Gladys has built a solid reputation as a established professional. Originally from California, Gladys has called Miami home for more than 40 years. Her extensive experience includes owning and operating a freight forwarder and a local trucking company for over 22 years. This hands-on involvement has given Her a deep understanding of the complexities and challenges of the logistics business. When not immersed in the world of logistics, She enjoys traveling, especially on cruises. She also cherishes spending quality time with her two children and granddaughter.

Lynn Carolina

Terminal Manager

Greensboro, NC

Lynn has been in Logistics for 7 years starting her career as a Freight Broker/Dispatcher for Independent Operators. She joined Special Service in 2022 as a Routing Specialist at the GSO Terminal, was very quickly promoted to Dispatch Supervisor and 2 years later to Terminal Manager. She specializes in leading diverse groups by strategizing procedures to maximize their potentials. In her free time, she loves to spend time with family, friends and travel.

Deanna Moss

Terminal Manager

Greenville, SC

Deanna has been in the trucking/logistics industry for over 12 years, originally beginning her Special Service career with the GSO terminal before moving back to SC. She has taken the new terminal in GSP on with enthusiasm, and the service there has improved immensely since we switched management. In her free time, she loves spending time with her husband and 2 children. They enjoy visiting with family and traveling to the beach.

Dana Hunter

Owner & Co-Manager

Greenville, SC

Dana has 30 years’ experience in transportation and freight forwarding, and after 15 years as a co-manager at Special Service Freight-GSO with her husband Tim Hunter has now mover to own and operate our Greenville facility. Dana likes spending time with family/grandbabies and the beach.

Matt Christian

Owner & Manager

Columbia, SC

Many years ago, Matt started with Special Service driving a cargo van during the summer months while attending Clemson University. A few years after graduating he returned to the fold, and opened the Columbia, SC station for the company. Now, twenty five years later, his team continues to provide excellent service to the CAE and surrounding area of SC with a customer-first approach. Matt enjoys spending time with his wife Susan and two children, Lindsey and Matthew.

Brian Frolo

Terminal Manager

Raleigh, NC

Brian has been in the logistics industry for 44 years following graduation from Akron, OH with a degree in transportation. He has worked for numerous LTL trucking companies in various capacities in both OH and NC, focused mainly on LTL sales and operations. He served as a Regional Sales Manager for 3 years covering a 4-state market before joining the RDU Special Service Licensee as the Operations Manager in 2009. He has been promoted to Terminal manager of the RDU operations following the Corporate buyout of the RDU agent-owned operations. Married 41 years to Robin, they both enjoy their boxer dogs and working outside .

Mike Roush

Owner & Manager

Savannah, GA

Mike is the second-generation manager/owner of Savannah, and has a thirty year background in sales, management and operations with small business and Fortune 50 companies. Running SAV over the past ten years, he has grown the business from three cargo vans and a line haul straight truck, to five straight trucks, three vans, two tractor trailers for linehaul, with 300% revenues growth. He is now in the process of opening a new 30,000 square-foot facility, which he hopes to get operational by the end of 2019. Active with his church, the Knights of Columbus, as well as with the well-known Irish community in Savannah, Mike serves on the Executive Committee for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee. He enjoys camping, motorcycling, and most outdoor activities, and of course, spending time with his family.

Casandra Kurokawa

Terminal Manager

Wilmington, NC

Casandra has been involved in logistics for more than ten years. Prior to joining Special Service, she worked in logistics management at Nordstrom Fulfillment and FedEx Express. She is highly organized, take-charge professional coupled with a keen sense of decision making, professional proficiency, strong work ethic, and internal motivation to handle all challenges that arise. In her spare time, she can be found doing anything outdoors with her husband and, à la Queen Elizabeth, with her Corgi dog.

Our Team

Steve Perriman

Ciprian 'Chip' Popovici

Shane Foti

Mike Ritter

Fabian Gomez

Oscar Royster

Cindy Royals

Conrad Taylor

Kee Lightner

Craig Mercer

James Williams

Gladys Pardo

Lynn Carolina

Deanna Moss

Dana Hunter

Matt Christian

Brian Frolo

Mike Roush

Casandra Kurokawa