# Clarence L. “CL” Werner

> Clarence L. “CL” Werner founded Werner Enterprises in 1956 at age 19 as its first driver. He built the Omaha-based trucking business over decades, took it public in 1986, and served as CEO and chairman before becoming chairman emeritus in 2021. He is also honorary chairman of the CL Werner Foundation, which he and his wife Rachel use to support charitable work.

- **Role:** Founder and Chairman Emeritus at Werner Enterprises; Honorary Chairman of the Board at CL Werner Foundation
- **Organizations:** Werner Enterprises, Inc., CL Werner Foundation, Horatio Alger Association
- **From:** Petersburg, United States
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** Honorary Doctor of Business Administration, Creighton University
- **Known for:** Founded Werner Enterprises and led its development from a single-truck business to a publicly traded transportation company., Led the company’s 1986 Nasdaq public listing., Horatio Alger Award recipient, Class of 2012.

## Career timeline

- **1956** — Founded the trucking business at age 19 with a gasoline-powered Ford truck; served as its first driver.
- **1959** — Named the business Werner Enterprises.
- **1971** — Purchased ten Freightliner trucks.
- **1975** — Welcomed Maytag as the company’s first Fortune 500 customer.
- **1977** — Established the company’s Omaha headquarters.
- **1982** — Incorporated Werner Enterprises in September after operating as a sole proprietorship.
- **1984-2007** — Served as chief executive officer.
- **1986** — Took Werner Enterprises public on Nasdaq.
- **2008** — Established the CL Werner Foundation.
- **2011** — Became chairman emeritus after serving as chairman since 1984.
- **2012** — Received the Horatio Alger Award.
- **2015** — Returned as chairman and CEO.
- **2016** — Became executive chairman as Derek Leathers took over as CEO.
- **2018** — Received an honorary business doctorate from Creighton University.
- **2020** — Stepped down as executive chairman effective May 31; remained board chairman.
- **2021** — Became chairman emeritus on May 11 when Derek Leathers became chairman.
- **2022** — Federal court entered final judgment in a $486,900 settlement concerning HSR stock-acquisition reporting requirements.

## Achievements

- Founded Werner Enterprises and led its development from a single-truck business to a publicly traded transportation company.
- Led the company’s 1986 Nasdaq public listing.
- Horatio Alger Award recipient, Class of 2012.
- Creighton University honorary Doctor of Business Administration, 2018.
- Inducted into the Omaha Business Hall of Fame and the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry Hall of Fame.
- Received the Military Officers Association of America Distinguished Service Award.

## Latest updates

- **2026-08** — The company he founded announced a Nasdaq Closing Bell ceremony for August 27 to commemorate 70 years in business and 40 years as a public company; Derek Leathers was scheduled to lead it.
- **2026-03** — Werner Enterprises marked its 70th anniversary, tracing its founding to CL Werner’s first truck in 1956.

## Links

- Website: https://clwernerfoundation.org/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/cl-werner
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Last updated: 2026-10-26