Donald (Don) J. Schneider, chairman emeritus and former president and CEO of Schneider National, Inc., died Jan. 13, 2012 at 76 after a prolonged battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Under Don Schneider’s leadership, Schneider International, located in Green Bay, Wisconsin, became one of the largest truckload carriers in the U.S.
"The transportation and logistics industry has lost one of its most passionate and influential voices," said Governor Bill Graves, president and CEO of the American Trucking Associations. "Don Schneider was a visionary, bringing business acumen and technology to blaze a trail and set the standard in the modern day development of our industry."
Schneider began working for his father’s trucking company in high school as a mechanic’s helper and a truck driver to fund his college education in the 1950s. He graduated from St. Norbert’s College with a degree in business and married his wife, Patricia O’Brien, in 1957. After a 13-month stint in the military in Korea, he studied for his master’s degree at the Wharton School of Business. In 1961 he joined his father’s trucking company as a manager. In 1976, Don officially became president of the then $82 million company. His father Al passed away in March of 1983.
Schneider led the organization for more than 25 years, and was responsible for creating thousands of jobs. The company grew during some of the industry’s greatest challenges, including deregulation of the early 1980s. Schneider brought business acumen, strong customer service and a commitment to technological innovation to Schneider National, which was the first in the industry to adopt satellite-based communications and positioning in its trucks.
Schneider was also a pioneer in providing intermodal and logistics services. In 1993 Schneider founded Schneider Logistics, now a leading solutions provider, as a wholly owned subsidiary of Schneider National. He formed Schneider Communications, a regional telecommunications company, in 1982.
Schneider retired from day-to-day operations in 2002, selecting then chief operating officer Chris Lofgren to succeed him as president and CEO. Don continued on as chairman of the board until 2007.
Schneider is survived by his wife of 53 years, Pat, five children, 13 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and 18,222 members of Schneider National worldwide.
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