Werner Founder Takes Reins Again

The founder of Werner Enterprises, Clarence “C.L.” Werner, was re-elected chairman as son Gary stepped down from the position to spend more time with his family, according to the company.

Gary Werner spent the past four years as chairman and has been with the company nearly 40 years, previously serving as president. He will continue to serve the company as vice chairman.

The management change received full support from the Werner family as well as the board of directors, the company said in a statement.

Greg Werner, also Clarence Werner’s son, will continue as CEO. He relinquished the position of vice chairman.

Clarence Werner stepped down as chairman in 2011 but remained on the company's board of directors as chairman emeritus.

“C.L. Werner is excited to help the company in its continued quest to grow and overcome some of the industry headwinds, including the driver shortage, which is one of the most pressing issues facing the trucking industry today,” the company said in a statement.

“As founder and Werner’s first truck driver, he continues to be focused on making the company the best place for drivers to work as well as implementing new technology to enhance safety,” the company said

Clarence Werner founded the company in 1956 after working in a steel mill for about a month and deciding to find something that gave him more freedom.

“A month at the mill was about all I could handle,” Clarence said in the book, "The Legend of Werner Enterprises." “I didn’t like waiting for a whistle to blow to tell me I could eat my lunch. So I left.”

He used his 1953 Mercury as a down payment for a Ford truck and began his career in the trucking industry.

Werner Enterprises ranks No. 16 on the Transport Topics Top 100 list of U.S. and Canadian for-hire carriers.