Richard J. Mikes has been active in the leasing and transportation industry as a financial consultant for the last six years. Previously, Richard enjoyed a lengthy career with Ruan Transportation Management Systems, where he was Vice Chairman. He first joined Ruan in 1975 and held various positions, including lead responsibility for merger and acquisition activity over 20 years. He was responsible for strategy, finance, information systems, human resources, risk management, legal affairs, underwriting, engineering truck sales, and purchasing. Richard has been frequently quoted in leading industry publications and has spoken to a wide variety of national transportation organizations and suppliers.

Richard serves the Center for Transportation Research and Education at Iowa State University. He served on the board of SeaBridge International, the Logistics Council of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Iowa Health System Foundation, the board of Iowa Lutheran Hospital, and the board of Beacon MicroCenters. He served in leadership roles for the Iowa Business Association, the Des Moines Chamber of Commerce, and other groups. He is cofounder of a regional trucking operation.

He has been an industry leader in finance and is credited with innovative financing methods and enhancing capital availability in the trucking industry. He is past chairman of the National Accounting & Finance Council. In 1996, he received the James E. Roelker Award, the highest honor given by the ATA.

Richard holds a Ph.D. in Economics from Iowa State University and served on the faculty at both the University of Georgia and at Iowa State.