Fred Smith founded FedEx in the 1970s, starting operations with av389 employees and 14 tiny aircraft. Initially, the company supplied respective 100 packages a day from Memphis to 25 cities in the US.
Today, FedEx is simply a global power with more than 500,000 employees, 705 aircraft, over 200,000 vehicles and about 5,000 operating facilities worldwide.
Fred Smith is dead. He was the founder of an American giant - FedEx
Smith resigned as CEO only in 2022, aged 77. According to the fresh York Post, after his resignation, he remained active as executive president, focusing on strategical activities of the company, specified as sustainable improvement and innovation.
"Fred was more than just a pioneer in the manufacture and founder of our large company. He was the heart and soul of FedEx" wrote in a memo to the employees present CEO, Raj Subramaniam
He added, "He was a mentor to many and a origin of inspiration to all. He was besides a arrogant father, grandfather, husband, marine soldier and friend".
Before creating FedEx, Fred Smith served as a United States Marine Officer during the Vietnam War. After graduating from Yale University, he volunteered to service and held 2 tours.
He started as a lieutenant and ended as a captain decorated with a Silver Star, a Bronze Star and 2 Purple Hearts. He himself repeatedly emphasized that the most he learned about leadership and management not in Yale, but in the US Marine Corps.
In addition to his work and military service, Smith was besides passionate about American football. An interesting fact is that Fred Smith played an episode function in the movie "Cast Away: Outside the World" with Tom Hanks in the lead role. Production tells of an worker of FedEx who, after a plane crash, hits a deserted island.
