Our Leadership

Award-Winning Service Nationwide

Our leadership team brings decades of experience across temperature-controlled logistics, operations, risk management, technology, sales, and finance. Together, they guide H&M Bay’s nationwide network with a focus on operational excellence, safety, and customer-first service.

From daily freight coordination to long-term strategic planning, our leaders work closely with operations teams, drivers, and customers to ensure reliable refrigerated LTL freight, cold storage, and distribution services across the U.S.

Learn more about how our leadership team supports temperature-controlled LTL freight and cold storage services.

Walter Messick

CO-OWNER

Walter Messick

Co-Owner

Key to the leadership team, Walt Messick has devoted his entire lifetime to the transportation industry. His career began as an owner operator, hauling refrigerated freight in the Northeast Corridor, which then led to his venture into the truck brokerage market. With the deregulation of the trucking industry in the early 80s, Walt recognized an unfulfilled demand in the frozen and refrigerated food market, and in 1982, he opened his innovative brokerage company along with his partner to this day, Lawrence Hayman.

Walt’s practical knowledge and dedication to exceptional customer service led H&M Bay to become one of the top LTL brokerage firms in the country today.

Lawrence Hayman

CO-OWNER

Lawrence Hayman

Co-Owner

Lawrence Hayman began his trade early in life as a long-haul transporter of frozen and refrigerated food products. After 15 years in the business, he carved a niche in the brokerage market when he opened his own business. Lawrence established a work ethic second to none, which guided the business to great success.

Desiring a stronger position in the overall market, he teamed with Walt Messick to form H&M Bay, Inc. and together they built one of the premier brokerage operations in the industry. Central to the leadership team, Lawrence recognizes the company’s continued potential and remains a major force behind the H&M Bay story. He and Walt have known one another since they were teenagers, growing up on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.

Walter Messick III

VICE PRESIDENT & PARTNER

Walter Messick III

Vice President & Partner

Carrying on the family legacy, Walt joined the ranks of H&M Bay, Inc. in 2006, and in January 2024, he was named Vice President and Partner. Previously, he held the position of Chief Operations Officer at the company for 15 years.

Prior to joining H&M Bay, Inc., Walt served seven years as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps . He holds an MBA from Webster University and a BS in Management from Auburn University.

Stephen Clouatre

DIRECTOR, SALES & MKTG

Stephen Clouatre

Director of Sales & Marketing

Steve serves as the Director of Sales and Marketing and brings more than 20 years of experience in logistics and supply chain management to H&M Bay and the leadership team. Steve previously served as the H&M Bay Northeast and Texas Regional Sales Rep, which recently earned him Salesperson of the Year recognition.

Prior to joining H&M Bay, Steve worked in Transportation Logistics Management for over 22 years, giving him an extensive background in Transportation Operations, Freight Management and Food Service Distribution. As a former H&M Bay customer himself, Steve brings unique perspective and skill to the position.

Steve resided in New England for most of his career and has recently relocated to Houston, Texas.

John Walker

DIRECTOR OF IT

John Walker

Director of IT

John joined H&M Bay, Inc. in 2007 with extensive experience across Applications Development, IT Management and IT Consulting. Hired to develop a custom Transportation Management System for H&M Bay, John has both refined the company’s business processes and provided a secure technology platform that has not only met, but exceeded our company’s mission statement and goals of secure and hi-tech operational excellence across multiple platforms within H&M Bay.

John holds a BS in Business Administration from Wilmington College and an AAS in Data Processing from Delaware Technical and Community College. John is an avid offshore fisherman and enjoys spending time on or near the water with his family and friends.

Kevin McMahan

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Kevin McMahan

Director of Operations

Kevin started his career in 1997 at H&M Bay, Inc., and in January 2024, he was promoted to Director of Operations, where he directs and oversees H&M Bay’s operational policies, objectives, and initiatives. Over the years he has worked his way through the ranks and performed as a Dispatcher, Division Manager, Warehouse Manager of the Florida Division, and was our Operations Manager for 9 years before being promoted to Director of Operations.

Kevin is a Navy veteran who served from 1990 – 1994. He is married to Tasha, enjoys traveling, having relaxing weekends by the pool, and working in the yard.

Leslie Harris

CONTROLLER

Leslie Harris

Controller

Leslie joined H&M Bay in 2006 as Administrative Assistant to the Controller, with an extensive background in dispatch and office management., eventually taking charge of our AP department and then the entire Accounting department as Assistant Controller. In 2015, Leslie took the reigns as Controller, where she is accountable for leading accounting operations, including production of financial reports, accounting records, and controls to mitigate risk and ensure accuracy and robust industry regulated accounting standards.

Graduate of Queen Annes County High School 1990, Leslie is mom to three sons and almost a Gigi! She’s a lover of animals and camping, and treasures her free time spent with family and furbabies.

Joe Ketterman

RISK MANAGER

Joe Ketterman

Risk Manager

Joe began his career in 1996 at H&M as a dispatcher where he spent seven years in the world of dispatch service, moving up through the ranks with his continued commitment and interest in many facets of the growing business. In 2003, he advanced to a Training & Safety Manager. He took a brief hiatus where he continued to advance in operations, and returned in 2018, where he now serves as our Risk Manager.

Joe runs risk management and loss prevention programs alongside policies that ensure H&M Bay complies with safety legislation and industry practices. He oversees our GPS monitoring program and conducts food safety and quality audits, as well as investigates, processes, and settles any claims. Joe earned a BS from West Virginia University, and enjoys boating, surf fishing, and hunting, when he isn’t spending time with his two college daughters.

Dawn Bryan

HR MANAGER

Dawn Bryan

HR Manager

Dawn Bryan joined the H&M Bay family in July 2013, with 26 years of human resources experience. Prior to H&M Bay, she worked in the manufacturing industry for 25 years with extensive roles across customer service, sales, and operations, gaining a solid understanding of operations and roles across large organizations.

When she’s not working, she values her quality time with friends, family, pets, and enjoys all that living on the eastern shore offers, including getting away to her favorite vacation spot in the Outer Banks, North Carolina.

Interested in an H&M Bay job? Check out our careers page.