Trucking Executive John Ruan Elected Chamber of Commerce Chairman

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce said Wednesday its board has elected trucking executive John Ruan the group’s new chairman.

Ruan, who is chairman of Ruan Transportation Management Systems, Des Moines, Iowa, succeeds Thomas Bell, chairman of SecurAmerica LLC. He will serve a one-year term at the Chamber.

“John possesses an unwavering commitment to free enterprise and civic-mindedness,” said Chamber President Thomas Donahue. “I can’t think of a more appropriate person to serve as chairman during the Chamber’s centennial celebration in 2012.”

A longtime Chamber of Commerce director, Ruan is a strong proponent of additional investment in infrastructure, a position championed by the Chamber.

“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,” he said in a statement.

Ruan Transportation started more than 78 years ago with a single gravel hauling truck. The tank truck and bulk hauler now operates a fleet of 3,300 tractors and 5,100 trailers serving shippers in the bulk food and dairy, retail, chemicals, and industrial gas industries.

Ruan Transportation is ranked No. 30 on the Transport Topics 100 listing of  U.S. and Canadian for-hire carriers.