Frederick W. Smith
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Founder, former Executive Chairman, and long-time Chairman and CEO
FedEx Corporation
Born in 1944 in Marks, Mississippi, Frederick W. Smith was the founder of FedEx Corporation and former executive chairman of the board of directors. The original analyses about the logistic needs of a highly automated future society were done during his tenure as an undergraduate at Yale College, where he earned his degree in 1966.
After four years of service in the Marines, including two tours of duty in Vietnam, he launched the original air-ground Federal Express network, which began operations in 1973 to serve the rapidly growing high-tech, high-value-added sectors of the economy Smith had predicted. The company has since grown into an $87.7 billion global enterprise that serves more than 220 countries and territories.
As executive chairman, Smith focused on board governance, as well as issues of global importance, including sustainability, innovation, and public policy.
FedEx has been widely acknowledged for its commitment to total quality service. In 1990, FedEx Express became the first service company to win the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award.
FedEx has been recognized by Time magazine as one of the “Time100 Most Influential Companies” and has consistently been ranked on FORTUNE magazine’s industry lists, including “100 Best Companies to Work For” and “World’s Most Admired Companies.”
Smith was a trustee for the Center for Strategic and International Studies and a member of both the Business Council and Business Roundtable. He served as chairman of the U.S.-China Business Council and co-chair of the French American Business Council. Smith has served on the boards of several large public companies — Malone and Hyde (AutoZone), First Horizon, Holiday Inn, EW Scripps, and General Mills — and charitable organizations including St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Mayo Foundation. He was also the former chairman of the board of governors for the International Air Transport Association and chaired the executive committee of the U.S. Air Transport Association.
Smith received several honorary degrees and numerous civic, academic, and business awards, including: the Global Leadership Award from the U.S.-India Business Council; the George C. Marshall Foundation Award; the Atlantic Council’s Distinguished Business Leadership Award; the Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy; and the Circle of Honor Award from the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation. In addition, Smith was a member of the Aviation Hall of Fame and the Business Hall of Fame. He served as co-chairman of both the U.S. World War II Memorial project and the campaign for the National Museum of the Marine Corps. He was cited in Forbes magazine’s list of the “100 Greatest Living Business Minds” and has been named a top CEO by both Barron’s and Chief Executive magazines.
Smith’s death on June 21, 2025, marked the end of an era for the global transportation and logistics industry; an industry which he founded and revolutionized through his innovative vision and relentless pursuit of excellence. Read more on Smith’s legacy here.
Born in 1944 in Marks, Mississippi, Frederick W. Smith was the founder of FedEx Corporation and former executive chairman of the board of directors. The original analyses about the logistic needs of a highly automated future society were done during his tenure as an undergraduate at Yale College, where he earned his degree in 1966.
After four years of service in the Marines, including two tours of duty in Vietnam, he launched the original air-ground Federal Express network, which began operations in 1973 to serve the rapidly growing high-tech, high-value-added sectors of the economy Smith had predicted. The company has since grown into an $87.7 billion global enterprise that serves more than 220 countries and territories.
As executive chairman, Smith focused on board governance, as well as issues of global importance, including sustainability, innovation, and public policy.
FedEx has been widely acknowledged for its commitment to total quality service. In 1990, FedEx Express became the first service company to win the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award.
FedEx has been recognized by Time magazine as one of the “Time100 Most Influential Companies” and has consistently been ranked on FORTUNE magazine’s industry lists, including “100 Best Companies to Work For” and “World’s Most Admired Companies.”
Smith was a trustee for the Center for Strategic and International Studies and a member of both the Business Council and Business Roundtable. He served as chairman of the U.S.-China Business Council and co-chair of the French American Business Council. Smith has served on the boards of several large public companies — Malone and Hyde (AutoZone), First Horizon, Holiday Inn, EW Scripps, and General Mills — and charitable organizations including St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Mayo Foundation. He was also the former chairman of the board of governors for the International Air Transport Association and chaired the executive committee of the U.S. Air Transport Association.
Smith received several honorary degrees and numerous civic, academic, and business awards, including: the Global Leadership Award from the U.S.-India Business Council; the George C. Marshall Foundation Award; the Atlantic Council’s Distinguished Business Leadership Award; the Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy; and the Circle of Honor Award from the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation. In addition, Smith was a member of the Aviation Hall of Fame and the Business Hall of Fame. He served as co-chairman of both the U.S. World War II Memorial project and the campaign for the National Museum of the Marine Corps. He was cited in Forbes magazine’s list of the “100 Greatest Living Business Minds” and has been named a top CEO by both Barron’s and Chief Executive magazines.
Smith’s death on June 21, 2025, marked the end of an era for the global transportation and logistics industry; an industry which he founded and revolutionized through his innovative vision and relentless pursuit of excellence. Read more on Smith’s legacy here.