John Ruan III, chairman & CEO of Iowa-based Ruan Transportation Management Systems, has been elected chairman of the board of directors of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Ruan succeeds Thomas D. Bell Jr., chairman of SecurAmerica.
“John possesses an unwavering commitment to free enterprise and civic-mindedness,” said U.S. Chamber president & CEO Thomas J. Donohue. “I can’t think of a more appropriate person to serve as chairman during the Chamber’s centennial celebration in 2012. You won’t find anyone more loyal and dedicated to the Chamber and to the people, principles,and causes he believes in.”
Ruan has been a longtime U.S. Chamber director and is a strong proponent of increased infrastructure investment.
“The physical platform of our economy is deteriorating, and without reinforcement, the United States will struggle to compete against nations that are making significant improvements to their infrastructure,” Ruan said. “There are ways to commit to the level of investment we need with minimal impact on the deficit.”
Ruan Transportation includes a fleet of 5,100 trailers and 3,300 power units hauling bulk food and dairy, retail, metals service centers, grocery, chemicals, and industrial gas industries. The family business also includes BTC Financial Corp., Iowa’s largest and oldest independent bank; Iowa Export-Import, which serves as a marketing channel for agricultural and automotive exports and imports; Ruan Properties; a used truck and trailer dealership; a commercial auto leasing service; and an Avis car rental agency.
