News Details

Werner Enterprises Commemorates Veterans Day By Unveiling Newest Freedom Truck

November 12, 2014

OMAHA, Neb.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 12, 2014-- Veterans Day provided the perfect setting for Werner Enterprises (NASDAQ:WERN), a premier transportation and logistics provider, to introduce Freedom 4 Ride of Honor during a ceremony honoring military veterans at its Atlanta, Georgia, terminal. Freedom 4 is the fourth installment in Werner’s Operation Freedom fleet of military-wrapped trucks.

Werner representatives speaking at the event included C.L. Werner, company founder and chairman emeritus; Derek Leathers, president and COO; Jim Morbach, senior director of Student and Government Recruiting; and Felicia Berggren, professional driver. Werner also commemorated Veterans Day at its 11 other terminal locations, including a ceremony in Dallas, Texas, and at its global headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska, and offered a free lunch to all of its professional drivers.

“So much of what we are thankful for is a direct result of the bravery of those who serve and sacrifice in our military,” Leathers said. “It is our honor to salute our veterans and continue our mission to support them every day in our actions and within our organization.”

Berggren, who will drive the Freedom 4 Ride of Honor truck, is a native of Owensboro, Kentucky, and has been a Werner driver and trainer for nearly two years. She has a personal connection and appreciation for those in the military, as her father served in the Army and her brother served in the Navy.

“I can’t describe my excitement,” Berggren said. “This opportunity will allow me to convey my deep gratitude to all veterans and those who serve, as well as reach out to their families to show support and encouragement.”

The Freedom 4 Ride of Honor’s unique design, created by Army veteran Ed Keeter, features the image of Army veteran Brian Miller, who was wounded by a roadside bomb in Iraq, and Tino, an 11-year-old retired member of a K-9 unit who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. The truck will travel with Berggren on her regular freight routes, as well as be showcased at truck shows, recruiting events and specific veteran ceremonies to bring awareness to Werner’s industry-leading military apprenticeship program.

Werner developed the Operation Freedom Program in conjunction with the White House veteran campaign and introduced its first truck, Freedom 1, in February 2013, followed by Freedom 2 in May 2013. Werner debuted Freedom 3 in August of this year and has ongoing plans to grow its military fleet.

Werner widely has been acknowledged for its efforts to ease the transition of military veterans into the workplace, receiving recognition by GI Jobs magazine as both a “Top 100 Military Friendly Employer for 2014” and a “Top 50 Military Spouse Employer for 2014.” Werner’s Professional Truck Driver Apprenticeship Program allows veterans to use their benefits to pay for training while receiving on-the-job instruction.

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 van, temperature-controlled and flatbed; medium-to-long-haul, regional and local van; and expedited 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.

Source: Werner Enterprises

Werner Enterprises
Fred Thayer, 402-895-6640 ext. 2065
Director of Corporate Communications
fthayer@werner.com