Con-way will be making a $100,000 charitable contribution to support disaster relief efforts in Joplin, Missouri, which was devastated by one of the most powerful tornados in recorded U.S. history.


Joplin is the headquarters of Con-way Truckload, one of the company's three principal business units, which was formerly known as Contract Freighters Inc., and has been a Joplin employer for nearly 60 years. Con-way purchased CFI in August 2007.

"The devastation suffered by Joplin has been unimaginable, yet even today the people of this great city are showing remarkable courage and character as they focus on recovery and rebuilding their community," said Douglas W. Stotlar, Con-way's president and CEO. "We feel this tragedy personally through the impact it has had on the lives and families of our employees. We're hopeful this contribution will help speed the recovery of the greater Joplin community."

Stotlar also announced that the company was making a second $100,000 contribution to a separate fund set up solely for Joplin employees of Con-way Truckload who suffered losses from the tornado. Last week, the company established The Con-way Truckload Employee Tornado Relief Fund, providing a mechanism for Con-way employees across the nation to assist their fellow employees. The monies will be distributed directly to local Joplin Con-way employees affected by the storm. Some 47 local employees lost their homes completely or found them rendered uninhabitable from damage inflicted by the tornado and its aftermath. To date, Con-way employees have pledged nearly $100,000 in contributions, in addition to donations of household goods and supplies for disaster relief.

"This has been a humbling experience," said Herbert J. Schmidt, president of Con-way Truckload and a 40-year resident of Joplin. "Our community has suffered through an incredible disaster, yet through the compassion and commitment of many we are finding the road to recovery."

Con-way Truckload employs nearly 500 at its Joplin headquarters, and has some 2,800 professional truck drivers deployed over-the-road providing truckload freight transportation throughout North America.