In our next People First Spotlight, and during the celebration of American Business Women’s Day, we’re highlighting Amy Den Hartog, Managed Transportation Operations Leader, who has vast knowledge and expertise within our Managed Transportation solution and the transportation and logistics industry.
Learn more about Amy and her experience:
Q: Tell us a little about your career path and background.
I graduated from Iowa State University with a major in Supply Chain and minor in Finance. While at Iowa State, I completed an internship in the Extended Operations Center of a transportation company, which required a night and weekend schedule. Once I graduated, I took a position as a dispatcher, and shortly after, a role in their brokerage. In 2014, I joined the Ruan team as a Managed Transportation Specialist and have held various roles within the Managed Transportation department. In March 2025, I transitioned to Managed Transportation Operations Leader and have always loved what I do! Supporting new Managed Transportation customers during go-lives has been where I’ve gained the most experience, which has contributed significantly to my growth.
Q: Tell us about your role and how you and your teams support our Managed Transportation customers?
In my role as Managed Transportation Operations Leader, I have the privilege to lead several of our Managed Transportation customer accounts. We partner with Ruan’s dedicated fleet while also developing relationships with common carriers to cover the freight needs of our customers. Our goal is to meet service requirements and deliver cost savings, keeping their business and freight moving in alignment with their unique needs. In Managed Transportation, we like to say we wear two hats at all times—we always have on our Ruan hat, but we also brainstorm and make decisions based on our customers’ perspective to support their company goals.
Q: What sets our Managed Transportation service aside from other third-party logistics solutions providers?
We live in the “grey” and pride ourselves on customizing our processes and systems to meet each customer’s unique needs with a shipper-focused approach. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution with our team or systems, unlike other third-party logistics providers. The more complex the challenge, the better! We thrive on finding solutions and delivering results.
Q: With the upcoming holidays, how do your teams serve our customers with fluctuating demands and seasonal surges?
Cross-training. Because each of our accounts and systems is unique, it’s vital for team members dedicated to a specific customer to also spend time learning about other customers we serve. This allows them to jump in and help when their customer’s volume is slower, but another customer is experiencing a surge. Cross-training also provides our team members with exposure to different modes, customer and system processes, and commodity types, which supports their growth and development. We also partner closely with our customers to ensure we have the necessary coverage in place ahead of seasonal spikes. This approach proved especially valuable in 2020 and 2021, when our teams stepped up to support significant freight surges across our customer base.
Q: What do you enjoy most about the transportation and logistics industry?
No two days are ever alike. No two customers are ever the same. Every day is truly a new challenge. We have a great culture and team mentality in Managed Transportation, so even if I don’t have the answer, I have someone I can lean on to bounce ideas off and learn from.
Q: What advice would you share with other women who are considering a career in the transportation and logistics industry?
Take the plunge! More women are entering this industry, and countless women and men within the industry will lift you up, share their knowledge, and help guide you to success. It is one of the most rewarding industries you can be involved in. At Ruan, 47% of our Managed Transportation team is now women, and we celebrate the diversity and perspectives they bring!
Q: What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
Anything with my family! I have a 15-month-old son and two dogs who keep us busy and on our toes. We love traveling and exploring new places. In the fall, you can typically find us at an Iowa State Football game or watch party.
Want to learn more about our Managed Transportation and other Integrated Solutions? Visit https://www.ruan.com/services!