Experienced Leaders, Invested in Your Success.
Michael W. Coleman serves as President & CEO of CV International and Capes Shipping Agencies, a family-owned global logistics and vessel agency service provider. He joined CVI in 1996 in ocean freight documentation, worked his way through various roles within the organization, and was named President in 2006 and CEO in 2018. Mike is responsible for the overall management, direction, and growth of the company.
Mike is acutely engaged in Virginia's maritime and transportation sectors, serving on the boards of the Virginia Maritime Association (where he previously served as Chairman and President), the Hampton Roads Shipping Association, the Virginia Port Authority, and the Committee on International Trade for the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP). He also serves on Virginia's Board for Branch Pilots and the state's Freight Advisory Committee. Mike has been recognized multiple times in Virginia Business Magazine's Power 500 and as a Hampton Roads Business Journal "Top 40 Under 40."
He holds a B.A. from the University of Richmond and a J.D. from Louisiana State University and is a licensed customs broker and attorney in Virginia.
Jeff Underwood, Jr., CPA, PMP, serves as Chief Financial Officer for CV International and Capes Shipping Agencies, where he is responsible for all aspects of accounting and finance across the organization. He brings over 30 years of accounting experience spanning public and private sectors, with expertise in marine terminal operations, U.S. flag vessel management, federal contracting and financial services.
Before joining CVI, Jeff served as Vice President of Finance/Analytics at The Port of Virginia and held multiple leadership roles at Maersk Line, Ltd., as well as publicly traded software development and mortgage banking companies. He began his career in public accounting with Price Waterhouse (now PwC). Jeff is a licensed CPA in Virginia and South Carolina, holds a Project Management Professional® credential, and graduated from the College of Charleston. His expertise includes financial reporting, budgeting/forecasting, compliance, M&A, strategic planning, analytics, and financial systems implementation.
Cary serves as Chief Commercial Officer of CV International and has responsibility for commercial strategy, sales, business development, marketing, and customer success. His priorities center on deepening CVI’s relationships with existing clients while expanding the company’s reach in key growth markets — ensuring that the company’s full suite of freight forwarding, customs brokerage, compliance, and supply chain visibility services is accessible and seamlessly integrated for every client CVI serves.
Cary joined CVI in 2024, bringing with him decades of leadership experience in the global logistics and maritime shipping industries. He got his career start in a management development program for a Fortune 500 company, followed by 25 years in commercial leadership positions at the Port of Virginia. Immediately prior to joining CVI, Cary leveraged his years of experience and vast network to lead the Americas launch of an overseas-based tech-enabled global logistics start-up.
Cary earned his B.S. in Finance from Virginia Tech and an MBA with concentrations in International Marketing and Logistics from Old Dominion University. Cary also completed postgraduate business management studies at the College of William and Mary and ODU.
Lisa Cook serves as Vice President of Operations for CV International (CVI), where she leads all aspects of the company's freight forwarding, NVOCC, and customs brokerage operations. In this role, she is responsible for service delivery, operational excellence, growth, and profitability across all CVI office locations. Her expertise spans ocean and air freight services, customs compliance, purchase order management, and enterprise systems integration.
Lisa began her career in global logistics in 1993 with Globe Express Services and has since held various operations, business development, and management roles throughout her career. Prior to joining CVI in 2017, she served as Director of Logistics at SeaCorp, where she led product development initiatives, systems enhancement, compliance, and sales support. Lisa holds an Associate Degree in Business from Gaston College and brings deep experience in international transportation, agency network management, technology implementation, and supply chain visibility platforms.
Bill Smith leads business development and sales at CV International (CVI), bringing over 30 years of global logistics/NVO experience across a multitude of commercial sectors including manufacturing, industrial, consumer goods, apparel, furniture and other industries. He focuses on building transportation solutions that reduce complexity, deliver predictability, and enhance performance of customers’ international supply chains.
Bill is an active voice in the supply chain community—speaking at industry events, contributing editorial commentary to trade publications, and guest lecturing on global logistics at various universities. He holds a B.S. from Virginia Tech, an MBA from Babson College, and completed post-graduate work at Georgia Tech's Logistics Institute. Bill lives in Charlotte, NC, and serves on various boards including the CSCMP Charlotte Roundtable and the AHFA’s Specialized Furniture Carriers Association.
Rachel Shames serves as Vice President of Pricing and Procurement for CV International, where she manages the transportation pricing team, vendor selection, contract negotiation, FMC compliance, and international agent network management. She began her career with CMA-CGM America before joining CVI in 2011, progressing through inside sales, marketing, and transportation management roles. She was promoted to Director of Pricing & Procurement in 2018 and to Vice President in 2022.
Rachel serves on the board of the Virginia Maritime Association and the NVOCC Subcommittee of the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA), and chairs CONECT's Transportation Committee. She previously served six years on the board of the Hampton Roads Global Commerce Council, including two years as Secretary. She regularly contributes expertise to industry publications and authors Global Logistics Updates on behalf of CVI. A Norfolk native, she holds a B.A. from the University of Michigan and an MBA in Maritime and Supply Chain Management from Old Dominion University.
Kevin Briggs serves as Vice President of Technology for CV International and Capes Shipping Agencies. He is responsible for the strategic vision and operational execution of the company’s information technology. With a dual focus on internal infrastructure and customer-facing innovation, Kevin ensures that technology is not just a support function, but a primary driver of growth and excellence. He has been a certified human resources professional since 2009 and currently holds the SHRM Senior Certified Professional certification from the Society for Human Resource Management.
Before his current role, Kevin served 10 years as Vice President of Accounting for Capes Shipping Agencies and previously as Controller for Abacus of Hampton Roads. He studied computer science at Virginia Tech and accounting and finance at Tidewater Community College, bringing a unique blend of technical, financial, and HR expertise to his leadership role.
Bobby serves as President of Capes Shipping Agencies. He leads business development efforts while ensuring the highest level of service for existing clients.
After graduating from The College of William and Mary in 1998, Bobby began his career as a boarding agent for a Hampton Roads based ship agency. He rose through the ranks to eventually lead all U.S. East and Gulf Coast offices while focusing on operational efficiency, strategic planning, account management, and market analysis.
Bobby holds business certifications in Project Management and LEAN Six Sigma and has completed coursework in leadership development and vessel chartering.
Bobby currently serves as a committee chair of the Virginia Maritime Association, the President of the Hampton Roads Coal Association, and is an active member of the Propeller Club of Norfolk, the Propeller Club of Baltimore, the Propeller Club of Tampa, and the Association of Ship Brokers and Agents (ASBA).
Steve Hagen serves as Vice President and General Manager of Capes Shipping Agencies, where he is responsible for management, operations, and commercial development. He began his career in 1988 as a boarding agent for a Hampton Roads ship agency and has since held leadership positions with local and multinational agencies, most recently managing all east coast port operations for a multinational ship agency. A proud U.S. Navy veteran, Steve has worked extensively in Hampton Roads and also in the ports of New York, Philadelphia, Tampa, and Oakland.
Steve specializes in operational, bulk shipping, and supply chain solutions across all modes of transportation, with a strong track record in business development and innovative client solutions. He maintains extensive relationships with port-related government agencies and private sector partners. Steve is an active member of the Hampton Roads Coal Association and the Virginia Maritime Association, and has served on the board of the Propeller Club, Port of Norfolk. His diverse experience, deep network, and passion for shipping complement Capes' tradition of professional service.
Pete serves as Vice President of Operations at Capes Shipping Agencies. He oversees agency operations, systems, and staff development.
Pete began his career in 2006 as a boarding agent in the port of Hampton Roads. He has served in every capacity of vessel husbandry from general vessel agency to stevedoring and terminal operations, all while working in various locations throughout the US East and Gulf Coasts. Pete has extensive experience in process and systems analysis, business development, and implementation of proprietary and commercial operating systems.
Pete holds business certifications in Project Management, LEAN, Six Sigma, Microsoft Systems, Technology Integration, Commercial Shipping, OSHA and MSHA.
Pete is an active member of the Virginia Maritime Association serving on multiple committees, and is a member of the Association of Ship Brokers and Agents, the Hampton Roads Coal Association, the Propeller Club of Norfolk, the Propeller Club of Baltimore, and the Propeller Club of Savannah. Pete serves as a Commissioner on the Portsmouth, VA Port and Industrial Commission and sits on the advisory council for the Old Dominion University School of Supply Chain Logistics and Maritime Operations.
John Boomhover, LCB, serves as Director of Compliance and Customs Services for CV International, acting as the company’s corporate compliance officer and overseeing all customs-related services and growth initiatives. With over 30 years of experience, he has worked with customs brokers, freight forwarders, and importers, bringing both deep expertise and a well-rounded perspective on trade compliance, logistics, and regulatory strategy.
A Vermont native, John began his career in 1993 and has held various roles at leading corporations, ranging from Customs Broker to Supply Chain Manager, Director of International Logistics, and Vice President of Compliance. He holds an A.S. in Marketing, a B.A. in Business Management, and an MBA, all from Champlain College. John is a Licensed Customs Broker (1996) and Certified Export Specialist (2020), reflecting his long-standing commitment to excellence in international trade and compliance.
Wayne Coleman serves as Chairman of CV International, which he founded in 1984 as Coleman International. He began his shipping career in 1971 with a Norfolk freight forwarder, moved to a major vessel agency where he worked closely with U.S. Customs, Immigration, the Coast Guard, and other government agencies. He then progressed through ocean documentation, traffic, operations, and sales roles at a major ocean carrier before returning to freight forwarding in 1980.
Under Wayne's leadership, CVI grew from its early beginnings as a forwarder into a diversified global logistics provider, expanding into customs brokerage, NVOCC and air transportation, door-to-door cargo management, and vessel agency services with the acquisition of Capes Shipping. Throughout this growth, Wayne focused on delivering results-oriented solutions for customers which established the foundation upon which the company continues to grow. He holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Old Dominion University and is a licensed customs broker.
CVI’s leadership team is deeply invested in the success of our clients and our people—bringing experience, perspective, and accountability to every part of the organization.
That commitment extends beyond our leadership team and into how we operate globally: combining a trusted international network with local teams who know your business and stay close to your needs.
Have a question? Talk with our team.