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FedEx to Send Record 78 Drivers to National Truck Driving Championships

July 13, 2007

A record 78 drivers from 38 states representing the FedEx Corp. (NYSE:FDX) operating companies will compete in the National Truck Driving Championships (NTDC) in Minneapolis Aug. 22-25.

Each FedEx driver earned the right to compete in the NTDC by capturing first-place honors in state-level truck driving championships. The American Trucking Associations (ATA) sponsors the NTDC, designed to recognize industry leadership in safety and to promote professionalism among truck drivers.

The fact that each of the 1,300 FedEx drivers, couriers and contractors who competed in their respective state championships in 2007 has driven accident-free for at least one year is a testament to the exceptional commitment to safety that our entire driving force displays every single day, said Frederick W. Smith, chairman, president and chief executive officer, FedEx Corp. The accomplishments of our 78 state champions truly epitomize the superior professionalism and dedication found throughout the FedEx organization.

The FedEx state champions, who have nearly 1,500 years of professional driving experience among them, have safely driven more than 92 million miles collectively during their careers " enough to circle the globe almost 3,700 times. Thirty-six of the FedEx competitors have driven for 20 years or more, and 36 of them have each accumulated at least one million miles of safe driving.

At the NTDC, the FedEx drivers will compete against nearly 400 others for national titles in eight different classes of vehicles and for the National Grand Champion title. The drivers accumulate points by demonstrating their driving skills and knowledge of the industry through a written exam, personal interview, pre-trip inspection and field test.

The 2007 FedEx National Truck Driving Championships team includes:

Driver State Domicile Special Awards
       
3-Axle Class      
Paul Butkowski MN St. Cloud  
Tim Cohen CT Hartford  
David Fountain VT Williston

Grand Champion; Highest Written Exam

Jimmy O'Neill NE Omaha  
Randy Reed OK Tulsa  
Robbie Roth MO Columbia  
Jeff Thompson KS Kansas City Grand Champion
       
4-Axle Class      
Dan Bruch

NM

Albuquerque Grand Champion
John Bryant NV Las Vegas Grand Champion; Highest Driving Course Score
Jerry Keaton FL Jacksonville Rookie of the Year
Steve McBride MO Cape Girardeau  
Scott Parks WI Milwaukee  
A.J. Phillips DE Newark  
Ray Ramsey CT Hartford  
Travis Warner ID Boise  
Todd Watson LA Baton Rouge  
John Willinger KY Louisville  
Wade Wolfenkoehler OK Oklahoma City  
Scott Woodrome OH Dayton  
       
5-Axle Class      
Doug Adams KY Hebron  
Roland Bolduc CT Windsor Locks  
Wade King OK Oklahoma City  
Jason Matte MS Jackson Rookie of the Year
Christopher Novak VT Williston  
Joe Peterson DE Philadelphia Rookie of the Year
Craig Poupeney NV Reno  
Luis Ramirez FL Hollywood  
Charlie Septer AL Mobile  
Larry Steffensen MN Minneapolis Grand Champion
Brooks Washburn NM Albuquerque  
Mike Whitehead SD Sioux Falls  
       
5-Axle Sleeper Class      
Bill Anthony MA East Boston  
Lester Beben NJ South Brunswick  
Ray Paquette CT Hartford  
Hal Staley NM El Paso, Texas  
Chad Tanner WV Clarksburg  
       
Flatbed Class      
Scott Ambler UT Salt Lake City  
Brad Mertz KY Louisville  
John Smith MS Tupelo  
Brian Walton CO Denver  
Gragg Wilson NV Reno  
       
Straight Truck Class      
Greg Baun CA Irvine Rookie of the Year
Andy Bryant TN Kingsport  
Ron Desorcy RI Providence  
Dean Eklund ND Fargo Highest Driving Course Score
Jim Fisher MI Toledo, Ohio  
Guy Frederickson WI Oshkosh  
Janet Hoard KY Louisville Rookie of the Year
Randy Johnson NV Las Vegas  
Greg Logsdon AR Little Rock Best Pre-Trip Inspection
Tom Miller MT Billings  
Bill Pudney MN Minneapolis Best Pre-Trip Inspection
Paul Robichaud NH Londonderry  
Karen Roderick CT Hartford  
Karen Tierney WV Morgantown  
Scott Watts AK Anchorage Grand Champion
Tom Whalen VT Williston  
Charlie Woodland AZ Phoenix  
       
Tank Truck Class      
Elmer Branzovsky NE Omaha Highest Driving Course Score
Brent Glasenapp WI Milwaukee  
Gerald Pugh WV Parkersburg  
Ray Shelton TN Kingsport  
Jake Wallenback NY Rochester  
Tommy Winston SC Greenville  
       
Twins Class      
Dave Beaver MD Hagerstown  
Jim Butler MT Billings  
Randy Byrd MS Jackson Grand Champion
Ross Garner AL Decatur Rookie of the Year
James Gelinas NM Albuquerque  
Mohammed Khan AZ Tucson Grand Champion; Highest Driving Course Score
Gary Martin CA Sacramento  
Cliff McConico KS Kansas City  
Scott Meyers ND Fargo  
Hector Novoa VA Chantilly  
Randy O'Dell DE Wilmington  
Tim Sweeney CT Hartford  
Xavier Theriot LA Shreveport  
Bob Workman NV Las Vegas  

In 2006, FedEx Corp. sent 74 state champions and two second-place finishers to compete at the National Truck Driving Championships. FedEx drivers captured the National Champion title in the 3-Axle class and the NTDC Rookie of the Year honor. In addition, FedEx drivers earned five top-three finishes in their respective vehicle classes.

In addition to industry-wide recognition, FedEx drivers who compete in and win at the national championships are eligible for a variety of awards through the FedEx safe driving initiative, The Chairman's Challenge. This program provides the corporation with an opportunity to further reward drivers for their commitment to safety.

About FedEx

FedEx Corp. (NYSE:FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenues of $35 billion, the company offers integrated business applications through operating companies competing collectively and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx brand. Consistently ranked among the world's most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 280,000 employees and contractors to remain "absolutely, positively" focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. For more information, visit fedex.com.

 

Location(s)

Minneapolis
United States
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denver, CO
United States
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