Ruan’s Brokerage Support Services division acts as a capacity aggregator across our fleet and the fleets of carriers with whom we partner. There are many freight brokerage options to consider, but Ruan brokerage takes these services to the next level. In addition to being service focused with experts in the field and having a broad scope, there are many advantages that partnering with Ruan can offer your network—immediately.
What Makes Ruan Brokerage Unique?
We Are Asset-Based
When seeking out freight brokerage opportunities, it’s important to consider partnering with a logistics provider that is asset-based, like Ruan. This not only gives the most cost-effective transportation solutions, but also provides assurance that your freight will be handled with care while leveraging Ruan’s very own assets and truck drivers. Plus, with over 13,000 carrier partners vetted for safety and performance, our brokerage experts are sure to find the best transportation solution for the best value, improving your company's bottom line.
Ruan is one of the nation’s largest dedicated logistics providers with over 300 nationwide operations, so we have a broad network and the capacity to handle your freight. Within Ruan’s operations, we have over 4,000 company trucks, 10,000 trailers, and more than 4,000 of the industry’s best truck drivers. This fleet is dedicated to reducing empty miles by looking for backhauls—which is great opportunity to haul your freight on our assets.
Stability of Our 92-Year-Old Company
Founded on July 4, 1932, we have grown to more than 300 nationwide operations. Serving customers in a variety of industries, you can find comfort in knowing that we have planted our roots across the country as one of the largest family-owned transportation and logistics companies in the United States.
Our Team is Yours
Our U.S. based team is available 24/7 via phone or email for support. Finding reliability and a powerfully personal approach with a freight broker can be difficult in this market. However, with Ruan’s Brokerage Support Services, you can count on dedicated expertise and tailored solutions for your needs. Your Ruan brokerage expert becomes an extension of your team and delivers human connection that other freight brokers lack. In cases where our fleet is unable to line up with your lanes, Ruan’s freight brokerage can tap into our extensive network of partner carriers and find the capacity you require, ensuring your shipments are handled efficiently.
The difference in partnering with us for your brokerage needs is our people. We are Ruan. We are you.
Meet our Team
Get to know our team members who partner with our brokerage customers.
Meet Leslie Duquette, Account Manager
How long have you worked in the logistics industry?
20 years.
What types of freight do you specialize in overseeing on your accounts?
Grocery, seed, general merchandise, and landscape materials.
What makes Ruan Brokerage Support Services unique?
Ruan brokerage delivers exceptional service and value to our customers by focusing as one team. Our Logistics Coordinators and Customer Service Representatives ensure freight is scheduled and tracked, and our Brokers work with our carrier partners to ensure cost efficient shipping. And finally our Account Managers optimize the relationship with our customers by providing insight and cost savings through planning and controlling the flow of products, materials, and services.
What made you want to work in this field?
Supply chain and logistics is an ever-changing industry. It provides an opportunity to not only grow in your career, but also explore a multitude of areas within logistics. I enjoy analysis, workflow optimization, communication, and problem solving. Being able to build relationships with our customers and facilitate an essential need in our country is very fulfilling. It’s a challenging yet rewarding industry that keeps me engaged and motivated daily.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends and taking advantage of all the beautiful seasonal activities that Michigan offers us—skiing, hiking, kayaking, and spending a day on our Harley Davidson or in our VW Bug cruising the lakeshore in the summers.
Meet Jon Dunn, Account Manager
How long have you worked in the logistics industry?
10 years this fall.
What types of freight do you specialize in overseeing on your accounts?
Dry grocery goods and temperature-controlled produce shipments.
What makes Ruan Brokerage Support Services unique?
The partnership that Ruan brokerage has with each of our customer accounts is what truly sets us apart from the rest. We’re passionate about our customers’ business and take pride in servicing their freight network with excellence.
Our brokerage operations utilize all pillars of our organization to deliver the most value to our customers’ freight networks—whether that be tapping into our asset-based capacity offerings, our pool of 13,000+ pre-screened carrier partners, or leveraging the 10 million backhaul miles on our Ruan fleet trucks for our brokerage customer needs.
What inspired you to work in this field?
The transportation and logistics industry is an ever-changing environment that presents new challenges every day. Being able to find solutions to those challenges for my customers is something I take great pride in. You can truly go home at the end of the day knowing you made a difference.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
Cheering on my beloved Chicago Cubs, sharpening up my golf game, and spending quality time with family and friends.
Meet Elisa Harmon, Account Manager
How long have you worked in the logistics industry?
28 years.
What types of freight do you specialize in overseeing on your accounts?
Food grade commodities truckload and LTL, medical grade salt, food grade rolled cardboard, ice, and dry bulk food ingredients as well as industrial commodities such as metal wire, commercial HVAC, and steel.
What makes Ruan Brokerage Support Services unique?
Every brokerage customer is assigned to a specific Account Manager and Customer Service Representative pairing that work together as a team in getting to know the customer’s needs, communication style, and expectations. The relationships that are created in this model allow for transparency and solution-based offerings year after year.
What inspired you to work in this field?
I like to think this industry chose me. I was in the medical field prior and needed a change. I decided to get my commercial driver’s license (CDL) and started driving my own semi. As an owner operator, you learn the business quickly, and after starting a family, I moved into an office setting managing warehouse and LTL consolidation. I enjoy that each day is different—from the commodities being shipped, lane pairings, to placing it in or on a truck, train, airplane, etc. I enjoy the challenge in finding the right solution or transportation mode for shippers and aide in their business success. I enjoy the team aspect of logistics. It takes many hands to move one unit from point A to point B, and each is just as important as the next.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
Being outdoors from boating to snowmobiling, walking in nature with my dog, travel especially to places on an ocean, and quality time with my family.
Meet Erek Wright, Fleet Support Supervisor
How long have you worked in the logistics industry?
11 years.
What types of freight do you specialize in overseeing on your accounts?
In Ruan Dedicated Asset Support, we specialize in pursuing internal and third party backhaul freight opportunities for our Ruan assets. We currently have a strong, resilient group of six team members who handle the freight needs of multiple operations across Ruan's network.
What makes Ruan Brokerage Support Services unique?
Providing a cost savings aspect into the day to day with backhaul opportunities is a great selling point for Ruan and it provides opportunities to expand relationships and connections both internally and externally.
What inspired you to work in this field?
My dad has been in the industry my whole life and is the reason I entertained getting into trucking. His work ethic and problem-solving skills mixed with his ability to connect with people is something I greatly admire and respect. I try my best to put people first and lead with empathy and compassion.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
In my free time, I love spending time with my wife, two sons, and we are looking forward to the upcoming birth of our daughter. I also spend time playing music locally in the Des Moines area. I've been playing in bands and solo for about 16 years now!
Meet Kelly Paul, Fleet Support Manager
How long have you worked in the logistics industry?
37 years.
What types of freight do you specialize in overseeing on your accounts?
In Ruan Dedicated Asset Support, we support Ruan's dedicated operations, whether it's finding a backhaul opportunity to get a driver back to their domicile, a head haul to go pick up a customer load, or finding loads to assist in the relocation of equipment between operations. Having a dedicated team of skilled professionals in transactional brokerage, but also working knowledge of Ruan's dedicated fleet has proven to be effective in reducing costs for our customers.
What makes Ruan Brokerage Support Services unique?
Ruan is in a unique position that we have our own in-house Brokerage Support Services that RDAS can leverage. We work directly with our in-house Brokerage Support Services so they can help source loads for our available capacity.
What inspired you to work in this field?
My first job in supply chain and logistics was a friend referral. Within my first year, I realized I had found my calling. Throughout my career, I've witnessed the ever-changing world of logistics. I take great pride in having the ability to adjust, navigate obstacles, and find solutions.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
My husband and I are empty nesters. In our free time we enjoy spending time with each other on our boat and going on short weekend getaways.
For more information on Ruan Brokerage Support Services, contact Vice President of Operations Brandon Oldenbroek at boldenbr@ruan.com.