Montway Taps M&A Pro Anna Pellegrino as CFO to Drive Growth
- 13 acquisitions: Anna Pellegrino has successfully integrated 13 acquisitions, generating over $500 million in enterprise value.
- $500M to $1B revenue growth: At PLZ Corp, she helped double revenue from $500 million to $1 billion.
- 69% three-year revenue growth: Montway reported a 69% three-year revenue growth on the 2025 Inc. 5000 list.
Experts would likely conclude that Montway's appointment of Anna Pellegrino as CFO is a strategic move to accelerate growth through disciplined M&A and financial optimization, positioning the company to lead in a rapidly evolving logistics sector.
Montway Taps M&A Pro Anna Pellegrino as CFO to Drive Growth
CHICAGO, IL β April 21, 2026 β Montway Auto Transport, a major player in the U.S. logistics sector, has appointed M&A and corporate finance veteran Anna Maria Pellegrino as its new Chief Financial Officer. The move signals a clear intent to accelerate the company's aggressive growth strategy amidst a period of significant technological disruption and economic volatility within the transportation industry.
Pellegrino will take the financial helm, overseeing finance, accounting, and pricing functions. Her appointment is positioned not as a simple back-office leadership change, but as a strategic reinforcement of the companyβs executive team, designed to leverage deep financial expertise for market expansion and operational refinement.
An Architect of Scale for Turbulent Times
Pellegrino arrives at Montway with a formidable reputation as a high-impact finance leader, bringing over 15 years of experience in scaling complex, private equity-backed enterprises. Her most recent role was Senior Vice President of FP&A and Corporate Development at PLZ Corp, where she was instrumental in a period of explosive growth, helping to double the company's revenue from $500 million to $1 billion.
Her track record is heavily defined by her proficiency in mergers and acquisitions. Throughout her career, Pellegrino has successfully integrated 13 acquisitions, a process through which she has generated more than $500 million in enterprise value. This specific expertise is seen as a critical asset for Montway as it navigates an industry ripe for consolidation.
"Anna Maria knows exactly how to scale complex businesses, making her the perfect leader to accelerate our current momentum," said Tom Gartland, Chairman and CEO of Montway Auto Transport. "Her expertise in M&A and operational excellence will strengthen our position as the industry navigates rapid technological change and ongoing market uncertainty."
This appointment comes as the logistics sector grapples with a confluence of challenges, including persistent labor shortages, particularly for drivers, and fluctuating economic conditions. By bringing in a CFO known for financial discipline and strategic foresight, Montway is fortifying its ability to weather these storms while simultaneously seeking out opportunities for growth.
Fueling Growth Through Mergers and Disciplined Scaling
Montway has already demonstrated a clear appetite for growth through acquisition. The company acquired automotive transport brokerage TurnTime Transport in September 2025 to bolster its dealer- and auction-focused capabilities. This followed its May 2025 acquisition of Angels Moving Autos. Pellegrino's appointment is set to institutionalize and accelerate this M&A strategy, bringing a disciplined framework to identifying, evaluating, and integrating new opportunities.
In her own words, Pellegrino plans to transform the finance department from a traditional reporting function into a strategic nerve center for the entire organization.
"Montway sits at a fascinating intersection of logistics and technology, and the opportunity here is tremendous," said Pellegrino. "My goal is for finance to serve as the economic engine room, a navigator identifying the most profitable routes for Montway's future. I am confident we will bring even more solutions to a broader array of customers and clients."
Central to her mandate is the concept of "disciplined scaling." This involves meticulously refining unit economics and optimizing the cost-to-serve model to ensure that profit margins expand in lockstep with revenue growth. This focus on sustainable profitability and healthy cash flow is crucial for long-term stability and for funding future investments in technology and market expansion.
Navigating the Intersection of Logistics and Technology
Beyond traditional financial oversight, Pellegrino's role will be pivotal in steering Montway's technological evolution. The auto transport industry is undergoing a profound transformation, with AI, advanced automation, and digital platforms moving from the periphery to the core of operations. These technologies are essential for driving efficiency, improving visibility, and overcoming labor challenges.
Montway has already established itself as a tech-forward firm. Its Montway Automation Portal (M.A.P.) provides business clients with enhanced visibility and efficiency, offering features like instant quoting, real-time tracking, and digital document storage. The company has also forged partnerships with firms like Ship.Cars for 24/7 shipment visibility and Auction Edge to create a "one-click" transport ordering solution for dealers directly within their auction workflow.
However, these technological advancements require significant capital investment and careful strategic planning. Pellegrino's financial leadership will be critical in allocating resources effectively, building the business case for new tech initiatives, and ensuring that investments in innovation deliver a tangible return. Her role will be to empower the company's technology strategy with a robust financial foundation, enabling Montway to maintain its competitive edge as an innovator.
Montway's Trajectory in a Competitive Market
Founded in 2007, Montway has charted an impressive growth path, shipping over a million vehicles and earning recognition as one of America's Fastest-Growing Companies by Inc. 5000 seven times. The company's consistent growth, including a reported 69% three-year revenue growth on the 2025 Inc. 5000 list, underscores its established market momentum. The hiring of a CFO with Pellegrino's background is a move to protect and amplify that trajectory.
In a competitive landscape that includes players like United Road Services and RunBuggy, Montway differentiates itself with a strong focus on customer satisfaction, boasting a Net Promoter Score of 75 that far surpasses the industry average. Pellegrino's focus on operational excellence and refining cost-to-serve models is expected to further enhance the value proposition for both its retail and enterprise clients.
By placing a proven financial strategist at the heart of its operations, Montway is signaling its commitment to not just participating in the future of logistics, but actively shaping it. The integration of Pellegrino's M&A prowess and financial discipline with Montway's existing technological and operational strengths positions the company to navigate the road ahead with confidence and strategic clarity.
π This article is still being updated
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