Director of Operations at Werner Enterprises
Retired airman aims high with Werner Enterprises, one of America’s leading trucking companies.
by Warren Duffie
Tony Harden, 45, personifies heartland values. Growing up in the scenic farm town of Scott’s Bluff, in western Nebraska, he was taught to work hard and serve in his nation’s military.
And when it came to choosing a particular branch, Harden already knew his destiny: “As a kid, I used to see a lot of commercials for the Air Force, I knew it was right for me. I knew I didn’t want to farm – that I wanted something different – and I thought the Air Force would give me the chance to see the world.”
Upon enlistment, Harden complemented his love for God and country with a powerful sense of discipline, loyalty, and commitment to a greater mission. These skills still serve him well with Werner Enterprises – one of America’s top five truckload carriers.
The Transition
In 2001, after serving more than two decades, Harden decided it was time to leave the Air Force. He wanted to separate with enough time to allow him to devote 20 years to a second career. After taking the TAP seminar and résumé writing classes, Harden landed a job with Consolidated Freightways as a freight operations supervisor.
Unfortunately, after a little over a year, the company went under — and Harden was laid off. Thankfully, he turned to his network of former military colleagues and learned Werner was hiring. He applied for a job, interviewed, and the rest is history.
On the Job
The 22-year veteran is currently the director of operations at Werner’s corporate headquarters in Omaha, Neb. He oversees more than 3,000 drivers and tractors in two divisions – the 48 long-haul division (routes thoughout the contiguous 48 states) and four regional divisions (smaller geographical areas of operations).
Harden’s day usually lasts from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and his responsibilities are numerous. The former senior master sergeant is in charge of six supervisors and 55 dispatchers tasked with monitoring freight conditions, load locations, delivery status, and customer surges. In addition, when a client has a larger load than originally expected, Harden must gather enough trucks to deliver the haul safely and on time. Finally, he serves as a mentor and coach to his staff.
“One thing I love about my job is the teamwork and sense of loyalty,” says the former vehicle maintenance specialist. “My day revolves around implementing strategies to improve upon our successes, developing my people, and executing our business plan. This really really allows me to use the leadership skills I developed in the Air Force.”
A Force in Trucking
Such leadership has made Werner Enterprises a force within the trucking industry. The multi-billion dollar company was founded in 1956 with only one truck and today boasts a fleet of about 8,700 tractors, some 25,000 trailers, and more than 14,000 employees. Its main freight includes retail store merchandise, food and paper products, beverages, industrial products, and building materials.
Werner is also known for newer equipment, highly productive drivers with impressive on-time service and low accident percentages, and one of the best safety ratings among trucking companies.
“Veterans will find a truly rewarding career at Werner,” Harden says. “When I left the military, I was nervous that I wouldn’t find the same kind of camaraderie and team atmosphere. Well, I found that here. Werner is one of the most professional companies I’ve encountered, it treats its people very, very well.”
Harden’s Advice
Plan ahead. “Figure out what you want to do. Most likely, you’re going to be working civilian jobs for a good 20 years. Make sure your job is what you want to do. There’s nothing worse than getting up in the morning and hating your job.”
Take advantage of available military tools. “The military offers fantastic training – in areas such as management and mentoring. Use them to become a better leader. The business world needs great leaders.”