OMAHA, Neb., Feb 18, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) --
Werner Enterprises, Inc. (Nasdaq: WERN), one of the nation's largest
transportation and logistics companies, announced today that the Board
of Directors has approved several planned management changes that will
become effective following the Company's annual stockholder meeting that
is currently expected to be held on May 10, 2011.
Clarence L. (C.L.) Werner, 73, will step down from his role as Chairman
and will become Chairman Emeritus. Mr. C.L. Werner will continue to
serve on the Company's Board of Directors.
Gary L. Werner, 53, will become Chairman, moving from his current role
as Vice Chairman. Mr. Gary L. Werner intends to continue to serve on the
Company's Board of Directors. Mr. Gary L. Werner has more than 30 years
of experience with Werner Enterprises.
Gregory L. Werner, 51, will become Vice Chairman and will retain his
current leadership role as Chief Executive Officer, a position he
assumed in February 2007. Mr. Gregory L. Werner also intends to continue
to serve on the Company's Board of Directors. Mr. Gregory L. Werner has
more than 30 years of experience with Werner Enterprises.
Derek J. Leathers, 41, will become President and Chief Operating
Officer. Mr. Leathers currently serves as the Company's Chief Operating
Officer and President of Werner Global Logistics. Mr. Leathers has more
than 20 years of experience in the transportation and logistics industry
and 12 years of experience with Werner Enterprises in various executive
positions throughout the Company.
The breadth and depth of the entire Werner executive management team
enable C.L. Werner to reduce his role in the company he started in 1956
as a sole proprietor. C.L. was the Company's first driver and built the
Company from a one-man, one truck operation into a nearly $2 billion
public company. C.L. Werner, who is the Company's largest shareholder
with over 30% ownership of the Company's outstanding shares, will remain
involved in managing the Company as a member of the Company's Board of
Directors.
"Gary, Greg, Derek and I have worked closely together in successfully
growing Werner Enterprises for many years. I am extremely confident in
their abilities and the abilities of our entire Werner team. Our Company
and management team is very well positioned with a rock solid
foundation, and they are prepared to take Werner Enterprises to much
higher levels and improved performance in the years to come. My health
is excellent, and I intend to stay involved as a member of the Company's
Board of Directors," said C.L. Werner.
Werner Enterprises, Inc. was founded in 1956 and is a premier
transportation and logistics company, with coverage throughout North
America, Asia, Europe, South America, Africa and Australia. Werner
maintains its global headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska and maintains
offices in the United States, Canada, Mexico, China and Australia.
Werner is among the five largest truckload carriers in the United
States, with a diversified portfolio of transportation services that
includes dedicated; medium-to-long-haul, regional and local van;
expedited; temperature-controlled; and flatbed services. Werner's Value
Added Services portfolio includes freight management, truck brokerage,
intermodal, and international services. International services are
provided through Werner's domestic and global subsidiary companies and
include ocean, air and ground transportation; freight forwarding; and
customs brokerage.
Werner Enterprises, Inc.'s common stock trades on The NASDAQ Global
Select MarketSM under the symbol "WERN". For further
information about Werner, visit the Company's website at www.werner.com.
This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and made
pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Such forward-looking
statements are based on information presently available to the Company's
management and are current only as of the date made. Actual results
could also differ materially from those anticipated as a result of a
number of factors, including, but not limited to, those discussed in the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2009. For those reasons, undue reliance should not be placed on any
forward-looking statement. The Company assumes no duty or obligation to
update or revise any forward-looking statement, although it may do so
from time to time as management believes is warranted or as may be
required by applicable securities law. Any such updates or revisions may
be made by filing reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission, through the issuance of press releases or by other methods
of public disclosure.
SOURCE: Werner Enterprises, Inc.
Werner Enterprises, Inc.
John J. Steele, 402-894-3036
Executive Vice President, Treasurer and
Chief Financial Officer