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FedEx Freight Names Smith President and CEO

John A. Smith will be FedEx Freight’s new president and CEO come August. Smith, currently senior vice president of operations at FedEx Freight, will succeed Michael L. Ducker, whose pending retirement was announced recently.

May 1, 2018
2 min to read


Along with being responsible for the leadership and direction of FedEx Freight, John A. Smith will also serve on the Strategic Management Committee of FedEx Corp. Photo: FedEx Freight

John A. Smith will be FedEx Freight’s new president and CEO come August. Smith, currently senior vice president of operations at FedEx LTL subsidiary FedEx Freight, will succeed Michael L. Ducker, whose pending retirement was announced recently.

A 32-year veteran of the transportation industry, Smith joined FedEx in 2000. His experience spans every area of the business, including operations, sales, transportation, fleet maintenance, facility services and safety. Along with being responsible for the leadership and direction of FedEx Freight, he will also serve on the Strategic Management Committee of FedEx Corp.

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In addition, Matthew Thornton III, senior vice president of U.S. operations for FedEx Express and a 40-year FedEx team member, will become executive vice president and chief operating officer of FedEx Freight. He will be responsible for overseeing all operations for FedEx Freight.

“Given his deep experience in the transportation industry, unparalleled customer focus and trusted leadership, John Smith is a clear choice to lead the FedEx Freight organization into the future,” said David Bronczek, president and COO of FedEx Corp. “Matthew Thornton has proven himself time and again in his leadership at FedEx Express, and his thorough knowledge of all aspects of operations make him an excellent addition to the FedEx Freight leadership team. Both are examples of our strong promote-from-within philosophy at FedEx, and with these two leaders at the helm, the future for our FedEx Freight organization continues to look very bright.”

Related: FedEx Freight's Ducker to Retire in August

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