Tamara Meyers Draeger - EWLP, CTB
Tamara Meyers Draeger - EWLP, CTB, is the third-generation owner and CEO of Nebraska Warehouse, Cannonball Express, and The Junction LLC, three prominent logistics and supply chain companies based in Omaha, Nebraska. With nearly two decades of leadership experience in the industry, she oversees operations that range from public warehousing and third-party logistics to refrigerated less-than-truckload (LTL) transportation and freight brokerage services across the continental United States. Her hands-on approach ensures that customers receive the highest level of service and satisfaction, reflecting her deep commitment to operational excellence and client-centered solutions.
Tamara’s career is marked by continuous professional development and industry recognition. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education from Doane University and furthered her studies in Special Education and Teaching at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. In 2018, she became a Certified Transportation Broker through the Transportation Intermediaries Association, complementing her long-standing membership in Vistage International, a global CEO peer advisory organization. These credentials underscore her expertise in logistics management, leadership development, and strategic business operations.
Beyond her operational and strategic roles, Tamara is a passionate advocate for emotionally intelligent leadership. She frequently speaks on topics such as joyful accountability, team engagement, and the intersection of emotional regulation with organizational performance. By prioritizing the human element in business, she fosters cultures of trust, clarity, and empowerment, helping teams achieve higher retention, productivity, and overall success. Her leadership philosophy emphasizes that strong business results are driven not just by metrics and processes but by how leaders connect with and inspire their people.
• Certified Transportation Broker
• Doane University - B.S.
• Midland Business Journal 40 Under 40 Award (2022)
• IWLA (International Warehouse Logistics Association)
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to being part of a third-generation family business that my grandfather started in 1957. The second generation - my dad and my cousin - were huge in shaping me into not only the business woman that I am today, but the leader that I am today. Their mentorship roles have been huge for me. I also think it's about recognizing that this company and what we do keeps not just my kids fed and provides for my husband and me, but I'm also providing for every single family of the 120 people working here between all three companies. That extends out to making sure we do what we do in the best way possible, service our customers the way they expect to be serviced, and allow us to continue doing what we do. I think we're experts in our field - we've been doing it for quite some time - and being able to continue to operate that way for many years to come so that we can continue providing for all of those families that we touch is what drives me.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I think the biggest thing is to show up and to be confident in the knowledge that you have when you come in. Oftentimes, especially in warehousing and transportation, things can be done a lot of different ways, and so coming in and being confident in what you know and the processes that you know how to follow, I think it's helpful. Being authentic, coming in and being you, and not apologizing is a big thing. I've been working with a few of the different associations within the logistics world on finding ways to educate the women that are coming into the industry and how we can bring them along with us - grabbing the hands behind us and pulling them forward.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in transportation and warehousing is that it’s still a male-dominated field, with few women, especially younger women, in leadership. I’ve been working with industry associations to mentor and educate women entering the field, helping to bring them forward and create opportunities for the next generation of leaders.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I am huge on servant leadership, so for me, being able to help others, whether that's professionally or within our community, is something that I try to instill in my staff. When I became 100% owner of the business, we instituted quarterly and sometimes more than quarterly philanthropic projects - whether that's going and serving somewhere, or holding drives, or raising money for different causes. That idea of reaching out and helping others is huge. I think the idea of authentically being you is huge, so that integrity piece and authenticity piece is also a big thing for me, and that stands both personally and professionally.