Forge Institute Adds 2 to Leadership Team

(Forge Institute)

Forge Institute of Little Rock has named two new officers to its leadership team.

Daniel Ross is the new chief growth officer and Jim Schnoes is the new chief financial and compliance officer.

Ross joins Forge Institute after a tenure at Blackbaud of Charleston, South Carolina, where he served as a senior account executive. He has experience working in the nonprofit and corporate sectors, Forge Institute said in a news release. As chief growth officer, Ross will aim to create immersive educational experiences and expand Forge Institute’s national presence.

Schnoes, an experienced financial executive, will take on the role of CFO at Forge Institute. He has built a career in finance and commercial and investment banking, specializing in transportation and logistics, banking and consulting, according to the release. His experience includes executive leadership roles for startups, business revitalizations, capital raising, venture capital financing and mergers and acquisitions.

Schnoes previously worked in financial management as a commercial banker and later as treasurer at J.B. Hunt Transport Services of Lowell. He’s a former CFO at One Bank & Trust of Little Rock. In 2016,  he was named Arkansas Business CFO of the Year.

“Jim’s proven track record in finance and in steering significant industry expansions will be instrumental as we navigate the complexities of fast growth and expansion,” Forge Institute Chairman & CEO Lee Watson said in a statement.