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Werner Enterprises

Truckload transportation and logisticsFounded 1956
Reviewed by Swet Parvadiya
Company data updated: October 2026

Leadership History

Werner Enterprises: CEO History

4 leaders · 1956 to present

Who is the CEO of Werner Enterprises?

Derek J. Leathers is the CEO of Werner Enterprises, in the role since 2016.

Current CEO
Derek J. Leathers (since 2016)
Leaders documented
4
Founded
1956
NameRoleFromToYears in role
Nathan J. MeisgeierPresident and Chief Legal Officer2024Present2
Christopher D. WikoffExecutive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer2023Present3
Derek J. LeathersChairman and Chief Executive Officer2016Present10
Clarence L. WernerFounder1956201660

Company Overview

Werner runs a large company-owned truck and trailer fleet and a logistics business that relies on third-party carriers. FY2025 operating revenues were $2.974 billion. The January 2026 FirstFleet deal added more than $615 million of trailing revenue and about 2,400 tractors to its Dedicated operations. The company is headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska.

Werner earns most of its revenue from its Truckload Transportation Services (TTS) segment, which accounted for 69% of FY2025 operating revenues. TTS includes Dedicated, where trucks and drivers are assigned to a single customer under contract, and One-Way Truckload, which serves irregular routes and is more exposed to freight-market pricing. Werner Logistics, 29% of FY2025 revenues, is the asset-light side: truckload brokerage, freight management, intermodal and final-mile delivery using third-party capacity. Fuel surcharge revenue is a meaningful line within TTS and moves with diesel prices. Corporate and Other includes Werner's driver schools.

Nathan J. Meisgeier

President and Chief Legal Officer

2024 – Present

2 years (current)

Key Decisions & Impact

Meisgeier orchestrated the highly complex, massive legal and regulatory defense of the company during a period of exploding 'nuclear verdicts' (massive multi-million dollar lawsuit payouts against trucking companies).

Legacy

As President (and former General Counsel), he acts as the absolute operational and legal anchor, deeply navigating the heavily regulated, highly litigious American logistics market.

Source →

Christopher D. Wikoff

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

2023 – Present

3 years (current)

Legacy

As CFO, he executes absolute financial discipline in an incredibly cyclical, low-margin industry where fuel and labor costs can instantly destroy profitability.

Source →

Derek J. Leathers

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

2016 – Present

10 years (current)

Key Decisions & Impact

Shifted Werner toward Dedicated contract capacity, led the 2021-2022 acquisitions and the 2026 FirstFleet deal, and restructured One-Way Truckload.

Legacy

Joined Werner in 1999 and became CEO in 2016 after senior operating roles at the company.

Source →

Clarence L. Werner

Founder

1956 – 2016

60 years

Key Decisions & Impact

Werner executed the absolute masterstroke of aggressively pioneering 'paperless logs' and satellite tracking (Qualcomm) in the 1990s, completely revolutionizing fleet efficiency decades before it became a federal mandate.

Legacy

As the legendary Founder (who started with a single Ford truck in 1956), he built the company into an absolutely massive, globally recognized logistics behemoth, maintaining iron-fisted control for decades.

Source →

Challenges & Strategic Context

Werner came through a long freight downturn with thin margins: it posted a net loss in FY2025 and a GAAP operating margin of 1.8% in Q2 2026. Key pressures are truckload pricing, insurance and claims costs, driver hiring and retention, equipment costs, losses in Werner Logistics (an adjusted operating loss of $2.7 million in Q2 2026), and integrating FirstFleet, which was funded partly with debt.

Werner Enterprises CEO and Leadership FAQ

Who is the current CEO of Werner Enterprises?

Derek J. Leathers is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Werner Enterprises, having served as CEO since 2016 and Chairman of the Board since 2021.

What is Derek J. Leathers' background and tenure at Werner?

Leathers joined Werner in 1999 and spent over two decades in executive roles, spearheading the creation of Werner Mexico, running Werner Logistics, and serving as President and COO.

How long did founder Clarence L. 'C.L.' Werner serve as CEO?

C.L. Werner served as CEO for 60 years, from founding the company in 1956 until retiring from executive duties in 2016, remaining Chairman Emeritus until 2020.

What major strategic pivot did Derek Leathers orchestrate?

Leathers transformed Werner from an irregular-route one-way carrier into a dedicated contract and logistics powerhouse, leading acquisitions of ECM, NEHDS, Baylor, ReedTMS, and FirstFleet.

Who serves as President and Chief Legal Officer?

Nathan J. Meisgeier serves as President and Chief Legal Officer, having joined Werner in 2005 and successfully leading the company through major legal defenses and corporate transactions.

Who serves as Chief Financial Officer?

Christopher D. Wikoff was appointed Executive Vice President, CFO, and Treasurer in 2023, overseeing financial planning, fleet capital allocation, and debt management.

Does the Werner family retain significant ownership in the company?

Yes, founder C.L. Werner and the Werner family retain substantial equity ownership and historical board representation, providing long-term governance alignment.

What national transportation leadership roles has Derek Leathers held?

Derek Leathers is a prominent voice in the American trucking industry, frequently testifying before Congress and serving on the American Trucking Associations (ATA) executive leadership council.

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Content is for informational purposes only. Not financial advice. Data sourced from SEC filings, annual reports, and public records. See our full disclaimer and methodology.