WERNER - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- CEO of Altaba, Inc
- Director and Audit Committee Chair
ALEXI A. WELLMAN, 52, has been a member of the Board since 2021. Ms. Wellman has been the CEO of Altaba, Inc. since January 2022. Prior, she was the Chief Financial Officer of Altaba, Inc. since June 2017. She was Vice President, Finance and ultimately Vice President, Global Controller of Yahoo, Inc. from November 2013 to June 2017 and Chief Financial Officer of Nebraska Book Company from December 2011 to June 2013. Prior to her employment with Nebraska Book Company, she was a practicing certified public accountant with KPMG LLP for 18 years, 7 years of which she served as an audit partner. She was the audit engagement partner on the Company's annual audit for the year ended December 31, 2010, prior to her departure in 2011. Ms. Wellman currently serves on the Board of Directors and is an audit committee Chair of ESS Inc. (GWH). She also serves on the Board of Directors of V2verify.
Job Titles:
- Company Director
- Director and ESG Committee Chair
CARMEN A. TAPIO, 57, was appointed as a Company director in 2020 to fill a vacant directorship position and was subsequently elected by the stockholders. Ms. Tapio is the founder and CEO of North End Teleservices, LLC in Omaha, Nebraska. She has held this position since 2017 and previously served as President and COO of North End Teleservices from 2015 to 2017. From 2010 to 2015, Ms. Tapio was the owner and manager of Core Advantage Consulting in Omaha, Nebraska and from 2001 to 2009 served in several leadership positions with Carlson Companies of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Ms. Tapio is active in local community organizations and is currently on the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce board of directors, serving as chair for both the Diversity and Inclusion Council and the CEO's for Commitment to Opportunity, Diversity and Equity Council.
Job Titles:
- Chief Financial Officer
- Executive Vice President
- Treasurer
Chris Wikoff, 48, is the Executive Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer at Werner Enterprises. Mr. Wikoff has over 20 years of financial leadership and business transformation experience with Fortune 1000 public and private multinational companies.
Prior to joining Werner, Mr. Wikoff served as Executive Vice President of Finance and Treasurer of West Technology Group, formerly Intrado Corporation, a global technology provider, since 2016 where he was responsible for strategic finance, accounting, treasury, tax, investor and lender relations and multiple finance shared service centers in the US, Europe and Asia.
Chris is involved in the community through faith-based ministries and outreach, including affiliation with a clothing Care Center providing new clothing to foster and under-resourced children and refugee families.
Mr. Wikoff graduated with honors, Magna Cum Laude, from the University of South Carolina Darla Moore School of Business in 1998, where he earned a business administration degree, with concentration in international business. Mr. Wikoff has been a Certified Treasury Professional ("CTP") through the Association of Finance Professionals ("AFP") in the US, as well as being certified in International Cash Management ("Cert ICM") by the UK-based Association of Corporate Treasurers.
Chris and his wife Jody, both natives to Omaha, Nebraska, have been married for over 25 years. Together they have two sons, Tyler (25) and Blaine (22).
Founder Clarence L. (CL) Werner purchased a Ford gasoline-powered truck and entered the trucking business in 1956. CL Werner started hauling cargo for other companies, building the company one truck at a time, hauling in regional areas. Today, over 65 years since CL's journey began, Werner Enterprises, Inc. is an asset-based logistics provider and one of the five largest truckload carriers in the United States.
Job Titles:
- Chief Commercial Officer
- Executive Vice President
Craig Callahan, 50, is the Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Werner Enterprises. Callahan has more than 25 years of experience with Werner, currently overseeing the Company's Sales and Marketing departments. His primary responsibilities include leading sales and business development efforts across Werner's entire suite of transportation and logistics service offerings. Additionally, he manages the Marketing and Communications team who focuses on creating and executing enterprise-wide strategic marketing campaigns to support the company's overarching strategy, while ensuring brand consistency. With Werner's increased focus on sustainability efforts, Callahan's team facilitates the implementation and progress of these initiatives.
Together with his corporate responsibilities, Callahan serves on the Board of Directors for College World Series of Omaha, Inc., a nonprofit organization formed in 1967 to organize and enlist community support for the success and growth of each year's event. In this current role, he sits on the Finance, Marketing and Ticketing committees.
Callahan graduated from Creighton University in 1995 with a degree in finance and business management, joining the Werner team upon graduation. Craig and his wife, Tara, and his two daughters reside in Omaha.
Job Titles:
- Chief Information Officer
- Executive Vice President
DARAGH P. MAHON, 54, is an Executive Vice President and the Chief Information Officer at Werner Enterprises. Mahon joined Werner in 2020 and has more than 20 years of IT and strategic leadership experience, previously serving as the Senior Vice President of Global IT and Business Applications for Vonage. In his role at Werner, Mahon is responsible for the Company's technology and information systems strategy, innovation and IT operations. In addition to his corporate responsibilities, Mahon is an official member of the Forbes Technology Council, a member of the Information Science and Technology College Advisory Council for the University of Nebraska at Omaha, Customer Success Advisory Board Member for Salesforce, amongst others. He is also a member of the Executive Leadership Team for the American Heart Association in Omaha. He and his wife, Christine, have one daughter, Emily.
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Chief Executive Officer
- President
DEREK J. LEATHERS, 53, is the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Werner Enterprises. Leathers has over 30 years of experience in the transportation and logistics industry and more than 20 years of experience with Werner. Throughout his tenure at Werner, he has held integral executive management roles leading multiple organizational service offerings, including the establishment and development of Werner's Mexico cross-border operations, oversight for the asset operating groups and leading the launch of Werner Global Logistics, which encompassed transportation management and freight movement within intermodal, ocean, air and brokerage. In May of 2021, Werner's Board of Directors appointed Leathers to Chairman, along with his current titles of President and CEO. He also serves on the board of the American Transportation Research Institute, American Trucking Associations and is on the Executive Board of the Omaha Chamber of Commerce, among others. Leathers is the Founder and National Director of PlaySmart, a non-profit organization that helps underserved 5th through 8th-grade students realize their academic and life potential through sports. Prior to joining Werner in 1999, Leathers was one of the first foreign members of Mexico's trucking association and was based out of Mexico City for several years. Leathers holds an economics degree from Princeton University.
Job Titles:
- Director and Compensation Committee Chair
DIANE K. DUREN, 63, was elected as a director of Werner Enterprises, Inc. in 2017. In February 2017, Ms. Duren retired from Union Pacific Corporation, having served as Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and Corporate Secretary for four years, after serving as Vice President and General Manager-Chemicals in Marketing & Sales. Since joining Union Pacific in 1985, she held a variety of positions in the Finance and Marketing & Sales departments, including Vice President and General Manager-Agricultural Products. In 2011, she was awarded the Creighton University College of Business Alumni Merit Award. Prior to her employment at Union Pacific, she was a certified public accountant with Deloitte, Haskins & Sells in Omaha. Ms. Duren is a member of the board of directors of U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc. and serves on its audit committee and is Chair of its compensation committee. She has been active on multiple community and industry boards including American Red Cross, of which she served as chair of the Heartland Chapter in 2010 and 2011. In 2014, Ms. Duren was appointed by Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert to the Metropolitan Entertainment & Convention Authority Board of Directors and in 2019 was reappointed by the Omaha City Council and is the current Chairwoman of the Board. She also serves on the Board of Children's Hospital and Medical Center where she was Chair from 2019 to 2021. In 2018, Ms. Duren joined Peter Kiewit Foundation as a Community Advisor and in 2019 became a Trustee. She also joined Creighton University's Board of Trustees in 2019. In September of 2021, Ms. Duren joined the Board of Savage Companies, a privately held transportation, logistics, materials handling, and industrial services company headquartered in Salt Lake City. She serves on the audit and compensation committees of that company.
Job Titles:
- Chief Operating Officer
- Executive Vice President
Eric J. Downing, 50, is the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Werner Enterprises. Downing has nearly 25 years of experience with Werner, working in multiple departments since joining the Company in 1998 as a fleet coordinator, including time in Operations, Marketing, Logistics and Dedicated. During his tenure as Senior Vice President of Dedicated, he was instrumental in fostering relationships and growing strategic customer accounts resulting in the Company's 50 percent Dedicated fleet growth while nearly doubling Dedicated revenue.
In addition to his corporate responsibilities, Downing serves on the Board of Directors of the Nebraska Trucking Association where he is also an Executive Committee member. He's also involved with St. Mary's Catholic Church and Preschool, Ashland Youth Sports and Werner's WEVets associate resource group for veterans at the Company.
Downing served in the United States Air Force from 1991 to 1998 and then graduated from the University of Nebraska - Omaha in 2000 with a degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice. Eric and his wife, Megan, along with their four children reside in Ashland.
Job Titles:
- Executive Vice President of Strategic Partnerships
H. MARTY NORDLUND, 60, joined us in 1994 as an account executive. He then received the following promotions with the Company: (i) Director of Dedicated Fleet Services in 1995; (ii) Senior Director of Dedicated Fleet Services in 1997; (iii) Vice President-Dedicated Fleet Services in 1998; (iv) Vice President-Specialized Services in 2001; (v) Senior Vice President-Specialized Services in 2003; (vi) Executive Vice President-Specialized Services in 2005; (vii) Senior Executive Vice President-Specialized Services in 2006: and (viii) Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in 2016.
In January 2023, Mr. Nordlund became Executive Vice President of Strategic Partnerships. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Nordlund held various management positions with Crete Carrier Corporation, a large privately held truckload carrier.
JACK A. HOLMES, 63, was appointed as a Company director in 2018 to fill a vacant directorship position and was subsequently elected by the stockholders. Mr. Holmes served as President of UPS Freight from 2007 until his retirement in 2016. He began his career in transportation in 1979 outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, when he joined UPS and served in several positions before holding leadership positions in Operations, Engineering and Human Resources. He also led the UPS transition team for the 2005 purchase of Overnite Transportation, now UPS Freight. Mr. Holmes currently serves as the Chairman and a director of EmergeTMS in Scottsdale, Arizona; a director of Sharps Compliance, on which he serves as Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee and the Compensation Committee; and is a member of the board of directors of Redwood Logistics and LaserShip.
Job Titles:
- Chief Accounting Officer
- Corporate Secretary
- Executive Vice President
James L. Johnson, 59, is the Executive Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Corporate Secretary at Werner Enterprises. He joined the Company in 1991 as Manager of Financial Reporting and has been appointed to the following positions throughout his tenure: (i) Assistant Controller in 1992; (ii) Director of Accounting in 1994; (iii) Corporate Secretary and Controller in 1996; (iv) Vice President, Controller and Corporate Secretary in 2000; and (v) Senior Vice President, Controller and Corporate Secretary in 2005. He was named to his current position in 2010.
Johnson was employed by the independent public accounting firm of Arthur Andersen & Co. as a certified public accountant from 1985 until his employment with the Company in 1991. He graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University with a degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in accounting.
Job Titles:
- Chief Administrative Officer
- Executive Vice President
Jim S. Schelble, 62, is the Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer at Werner Enterprises. He joined the company in 1998 as Manager of New Business Development and has been appointed to the following positions throughout his tenure: (i) Director of National Accounts in 1999; (ii) Senior Director of Dedicated Services in 2000; (iii) Associate Vice President of Corporate and Dedicated Sales in 2002; (iv) Vice President-Sales in 2003; (v) Senior Vice President-Sales in 2004; and (vi) Executive Vice President-Sales and Marketing in 2005.
He was named to his current position in May of 2016 with responsibility for Driver Recruiting, the Roadmaster School Network, Safety & Compliance, the Terminal Network, and Pricing. Before joining the Company, Mr. Schelble spent twelve years with Roadway Express, a less-than-truckload carrier, in various management positions within operations, sales, and marketing.
In addition to his corporate responsibilities, Schelble serves on the state and executive board of C.H.A.D. (Community Health Agencies Drive), which supports 23 local, Nebraska-based health agencies that focus on improving the health and quality of life of those living in Nebraska. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Professional Truck Drivers Institute (P.T.D.I).
Schelble graduated from St. John's University with a degree in business administration and then from Drake University with an MBA in business. He and his wife, Claire, have two children: Alex and Emma, and one grandchild, Quinn.
KENNETH M. BIRD, ED.D., 75, was appointed by our Board of Directors in 2002 to fill a vacant directorship position and was subsequently elected by the stockholders. Dr. Bird is currently the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Avenue Scholars Foundation, a nonprofit entity that serves youth education in Omaha, Nebraska. Dr. Bird previously served as Superintendent of Westside Community Schools in Omaha, Nebraska from 1992 until May 2008, and he also held various administrative positions with Westside Community Schools since 1981. Prior to 1981, he was employed by the Nebraska Department of Education and as a special education teacher at Westside Community School. He is active in local, state and national professional organizations as a member of various advisory councils, committees and task forces. Dr. Bird serves as a director or trustee on a number of civic boards, and he has been the recipient of several professional, leadership and community service awards.
Michelle D. Livingstone, 64, was appointed by our Board of Directors in May 2022 to fill a vacant directorship. Ms. Livingstone served as Vice President - Transportation for The Home Depot in Atlanta from 2007 to 2021. During this time, she was a founding member of the Supply Chain Leadership Team and served on the Environmental Council to drive sustainability efforts. From 2005 to 2007, Ms. Livingstone was Senior Vice President - Transportation for C&S Wholesale Grocers in Keene, New Hampshire and was Vice President - Transportation for J.C. Penney of Plano, Texas from 2002 to 2005. Ms. Livingstone was Senior Director of Supply Chain and Transportation for Kraft Foods of North America, Inc. of Madison, Wisconsin from 1985 to 2002. Ms. Livingstone currently serves as a board member for Rainbow Village, The Transportation Institute of the University of Denver, Indiana University Kelley School of Business Transportation Executive Board, and AWESOME (Achieving Women's Excellence in Supply Chain, Operations, Management, and Education).
Job Titles:
- Chief Legal Officer
- Executive Vice President
- Chairman of the American Trucking Associations' Legal Reform
Nathan J. Meisgeier, 49, is the Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer at Werner Enterprises. Meisgeier has more than 17 years of experience with Werner, currently overseeing the Company's Legal, Risk, Human Resources and Government Affairs departments. In his role with the Company, Meisgeier handles high-exposure claims and lawsuits and provides valuable legal counsel to the company's various business units.
Outside of Werner Enterprises, Meisgeier is the Chairman of the American Trucking Associations' Legal Reform Advisory Council and sits on the Board of Directors for the American Trucking Associations Litigation Center, among other positions within the transportation industry. He is also a member of the Werner Institute Advisory Board at Creighton Law School. Meisgeier graduated from Harvard Law School in 1998 and was a litigator at the Kansas City law firm of Stinson, Mag and Fizzell for seven years before joining Werner.
Job Titles:
- Director, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Chair, and Lead Independent Director
SCOTT C. ARVES, 66, was elected as a Company director in May 2021. Mr. Arves retired from Transport America, Inc. in January 2017 after serving as Director, President & Chief Executive Officer for ten years. Prior to that, he had a 27-year career with Schneider National, Inc., where he most recently served as President of the Transportation Sector from May 2000 to June 2006. In that capacity, he was responsible for all of Schneider's trucking and intermodal business, which was a $3 billion business employing approximately 20,000 people. He is currently a member of the Board of Advisors of CSM Companies and was a director of Commercial Vehicle Group (CVGI) from May 2005 to May 2019 and a director of TFI International (TFII) from May 2016 to December 2018.
VIKRAM MANSHARAMANI, PH.D., 49, was elected as a Company director in May 2021. Dr. Mansharamani has been a Lecturer at Harvard University since 2017. Prior to that, he taught courses on finance and business ethics at Yale University from 2009 to 2017. He is an author, and his ideas and writings have appeared in Fortune, Forbes, the New York Times, and many other publications. Dr. Mansharamani also advises several Fortune 500 CEO's and their boards on how to navigate uncertainty in today's dynamic global business and regulatory environment. He is the Founder and President of Kelan Advisors, LLC and served on the board of directors of the Africa Opportunity Fund from April 2014 to August 2019. Dr. Mansharamani has a Ph.D. and two masters degrees from MIT and a bachelors degree from Yale University.