John Ruan III, chairman of Ruan Transportation Management Systems Inc, was inducted in the Iowa Business Hall of Fame recently. This award recognizes outstanding leaders who have made significant contributions to business and community development in Iowa.
Ruan took over as chairman of the Ruan family trucking business in 1998, which was started by his father 80 years ago and grew to become one of the top 10 privately owned transportation businesses in the nation. John Ruan III also serves as chairman of Concentric International Inc, chairman of City Center Corporation, and chairman of BTC Financial Corp and Bankers Trust Company NA. He recently served as chairman of the US Chamber of Commerce in Washington DC, and remains chairman of the Executive Committee for the US Chamber.
Ruan also serves as the chairman for the World Food Prize Foundation, an international organization with deep family ties. The prize, established in 1986 by Dr Norman Borlaug, recognizes achievements of individuals who have advanced human development by improving the quality, quantity, or availability of food in the world. It was Ruan III’s vision, leadership, and financial contribution that paved the way for the transformation of the century-old Des Moines Public Library into the $29.8 million Norman E Borlaug World Food Prize Hall of Laureates, which opened in October 2011.