WASHINGTON, Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) has elected Ben McLean, Chief Executive Officer of Ruan Transportation Management Systems, Chairman of its Board of Directors. ATRI also announced the appointment of two new Board members: Ben Banks, President of TCW, Inc., and Nathan Meisgeier, President and Chief Legal Officer of Werner Enterprises.

McLean, who was first appointed to the ATRI Board of Directors in October 2017, will lead the 13-member Board of trucking industry presidents and CEOs. He succeeds Derek Leathers, Chairman and CEO of Werner Enterprises, who is completing four years of service as ATRI Chair.

“We are excited to have Ben McLean lead the ATRI Board,” said Rebecca Brewster, ATRI President and COO. “His commitment to research excellence and innovation will help drive the Institute forward for years to come. We also want to thank Derek Leathers for his dedicated service as Chairman and welcome Ben Banks and Nathan Meisgeier to the Board. Their extensive industry experience and insights will be tremendous assets to ATRI as we continue advancing our research mission.”

Ben McLean has served as CEO of Ruan Transportation Management Systems since 2015. He joined Ruan in 2007 and previously held several corporate and operational leadership roles, including Chief Operating Officer and Chief Information Officer. Before joining Ruan, he worked with William Blair & Company and Deloitte’s Technology Consulting practice. His board and advisory service includes the board of UFP Industries, the Northwestern University Transportation Center’s Business Advisory Committee, and the Iowa Business Council, where he is a board member and former chair. He holds three degrees: an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management, a law degree from Northwestern University School of Law, and an undergraduate degree in computer engineering from Northwestern University.

Ben Banks is President of TCW, Inc., where he has worked for more than 15 years since graduating from Georgia Southern University. He has served as a member and chair of ATRI’s Research Advisory Committee (RAC). A 2018 graduate of ATA’s LEAD program, Banks currently serves as Chair of Truck PAC and on the Georgia Trucking Association Executive Committee and IANA’s Intermodal Interchange Executive Committee.

Nathan Meisgeier has served as President and Chief Legal Officer of Werner Enterprises since January 2024, following his previous role as Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer. He also serves as Chief of Staff. His responsibilities include oversight of Legal, Safety, Risk, Human Resources, Government Affairs, Recruiting, Terminal Management and Security. Prior to joining Werner in 2005, Meisgeier was a litigator at the Kansas City law firm of Stinson, Mag and Fizzell for seven years. He holds a juris doctorate from Harvard Law School in addition to degrees in accounting and economics from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Meisgeier is Chairman of the American Trucking Associations’ Legal Reform Advisory Committee and serves on the American Trucking Associations Litigation Center board, among other positions in the transportation industry.

View the complete ATRI Board of Directors roster.

ATRI is the trucking industry’s 501(c)(3) not-for-profit research organization. Its research addresses freight transportation’s essential role in maintaining a safe, secure and efficient transportation system.

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SOURCE American Transportation Research Institute