A Turning Point Arrives

When Ike Sherlock walked through the doors of AirVan Inc. (AVi) in 2023, he did not inherit a well-oiled machine, he walked into a company in freefall. Financial losses, deteriorating service, fractured internal communication, and a culture that had gone off course had all converged into a moment of truth. Many leaders might have run from a situation like that. Sherlock ran toward it.

His decision was not driven by title or prestige. It was driven by loyalty to a mentor who asked for help and by the belief that a struggling company filled with hardworking people deserved a chance at a comeback. Leaving behind a comfortable corner-office role, Sherlock stepped into uncertainty with only one mission in mind: rebuild AVi from the inside out.

He and the owner began by reading Built to Last, grounding their strategy in a deceptively simple but profoundly difficult philosophy: fix the culture first. Not the processes. Not the numbers. The people. That commitment shaped every decision to follow, even through a year where the company lost money almost every month what Sherlock calls “purposeful disruption.” The work was messy, uncomfortable, and at times exhausting. But it was necessary.

And then, slowly, it started to work. In January 2024, AVi recorded its first positive P&L in years. The ship had turned. And momentum was building.

Restoring Trust Through Radical Transparency

At the heart of AVi’s revival was an idea many companies talk about, but few truly embrace transparency. When Sherlock arrived, some vertical leaders had never seen a P&L. The business was operating in silos, and people were disconnected from how their work affected the bottom line. Sherlock tore down those walls.

Monthly financial reviews became open conversations. Strategic priorities AVi’s “big rocks” were no longer leadership secrets but were shared with everyone: managers, forklift drivers, truck drivers, customer service teams, warehouse staff, vendors, and even competitors. In an industry where information often flows down slowly, Sherlock pushed it out with urgency.

The response was not immediate applause. Employees openly admitted they thought he was “a lunatic.” But they listened. And slowly, they believed.

Today, the once-skeptical workforce forms the backbone of AVi’s resurgence. Remarkably, nearly all frontline employees who weathered the early storm are still with the company. They were not pushed out—they chose to stay because they felt the company shifting beneath their feet. Where confusion once existed, clarity moved in. Where doubt once lived, confidence began to take root.

It is AVi’s people not its buildings, trucks, or systems who have driven its turnaround. Sherlock knows it, and so does every employee who lived through the transformation.

Growth Fueled by Purpose and Capability

With a strong cultural foundation finally in place, Sherlock turned toward operational reinvention. Historically, AVi was primarily a final-mile delivery company known for delivering oversized consumer goods into homes on behalf of national freight forwarders like AIT. That business remains vital, but Sherlock saw something bigger.

He saw a company capable of powering an entire logistics ecosystem.

Over the next three years, AVi expanded its warehouse footprint from 100,000 square feet to more than 900,000 square feet, reshaping its identity as a warehousing and transportation powerhouse. In Jacksonville, a rare logistics market boasting port access, rail, air freight, manufacturing, and robust 3PL networks, AVi found the perfect environment to grow.

Sherlock reinvested profits aggressively. The team modernized equipment, upgraded the forklift fleet, implemented a new WMS, added trucks, strengthened brokerage capabilities, and laid the groundwork for AVi’s next major leap: a complete packaging and kitting vertical launching in 2026. This new service will bring higher-margin capability in-house, allowing customers to consolidate vendors and simplify their entire supply chain.

Sherlock explains it simply:

“If I am warehousing your product, why send it somewhere else to repackage it? Let us do it here.”

By expanding vertically, AVi is not just providing service. It provides convenience, control, continuity, and value customers can consistently replace.

The Road Ahead

Sherlock sees economic headwinds coming in 2026. There will be slower warehouse turns, cautious customer spending, and margin pressures across the logistics landscape. But AVi is not the company it was. It is diverse, resilient, and prepared.

Its strength lies in the balance of its verticals. When freight is down, warehousing holds steady. When warehousing tightens, trucking and brokerage step forward. It is a system designed to endure market cycles, not be defined by them.

None of this would have been possible without the company’s owner, who gave Sherlock full autonomy to build the company he believed AVi could become. “Enough rope to make a noose or a necktie,” the owner said. Sherlock chose the necktie and tied it into a company designed for long-term success.

Today, AVi stands not just as a company that survived a crisis, but as one that emerged stronger, clearer, and more united than ever before. Its people believe in the mission. Its customers trust the process. And its leadership is committed to building something lasting.

What began as a rescue mission has become a revival. What started with uncertainty has become a story of resilience. And for Sherlock, this is not just another role it is the one he hopes to finish his career with.

AVi’s next chapter is already being written. And this time, the company is not fighting to stay afloat. It is racing ahead with purpose.

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GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch (FLCTW)

The Florida Companies to Watch program, hosted annually by GrowFL, celebrates top second-stage companies across the state for their impressive growth and entrepreneurial success. This prestigious program recognizes 50 standout businesses each year, chosen from hundreds of nominees. Honorees are celebrated for their innovation, economic impact on Florida’s economy, and the ability to scale effectively. Through FLCTW, GrowFL not only acknowledges these companies’ achievements but also brings them into a spotlight that enhances their visibility in the marketplace. The event offers an extraordinary opportunity for networking, sharing best practices, and gaining exposure to potential investors and partners, making it a cornerstone for fostering business growth and recognition within Florida’s vibrant business community.