Three Small Business Owners are Recognized for Excellence in Customer Service, Safety and Community Support

PITTSBURGH, Oct. 21, 2011 -- FedEx Ground, the small-package ground unit of FedEx Corp., (NYSE:

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), has awarded one of its highest honors to three entrepreneurs whose businesses provide transportation services for the company.  During a private banquet held last night in Pittsburgh, Pa., Travis Boardman (Travis Boardman, Inc., Salisbury, Md.), Doug Hawkins (Blue Skyz Enterprises, Inc., Lenexa, Kan.) and Joe Robinson (Eagleview Logistics, Toledo, Ohio) were named FedEx Ground Entrepreneurs of the Year.  

The distinction recognizes them for their business growth and development, customer service, safety record, community involvement and ethics.  Of the nearly 10,000 transportation businesses supporting the FedEx Ground network, Boardman, Hawkins and Robinson were selected from a group of 17 region-level winners who represented the best in small business for the fiscal year ending May 31, 2011.

"The FedEx Ground Entrepreneur of the Year program was established in 2007 to honor the most exceptional small business owners who collaborate with FedEx Ground and commit themselves to deliver on a promise of reliable, safe, cost-effective and professional service," said Dave Rebholz, president & CEO, FedEx Ground.  "Through their outstanding efforts, these three individuals have built lucrative and thriving businesses while also making substantial contributions to their local communities." 

Each year, FedEx Ground management has the opportunity to nominate the businesses that have demonstrated unwavering commitments to customer service, safety and their local community.  Faced with an ever-changing economy, the Entrepreneurs of the Year were selected by FedEx Ground for continuing to run successful businesses and maintaining their status as industry leaders.

The following are brief biographical profiles of the three honorees: 

Travis Boardman--Travis Boardman, Inc., Salisbury, Md.

Travis Boardman, Inc., has been contracting with FedEx Ground for approximately 15 years and currently employs 13 drivers who operate a fleet of 10 delivery vehicles for the shipping company.  Boardman's corporation recently signed on as a sponsor with the Delaware Department of Highway Safety to promote safety on local streets and highways and was most recently honored as a recipient of the Outstanding Program Award for his outstanding commitment to highway safety.

 

In addition to operating safely and providing excellent customer service, Travis Boardman, Inc. is an important member of the community.  Boardman has participated in the America's Road Team, the Delaware State Truck Driving Championships and is currently a Trucker Buddy for an elementary school in Salisbury, Md.  Travis Boardman, Inc. also participates in Safe Kids, Inc. and the world's largest convoy for Special Olympics.  Under Boardman's leadership, the corporation has helped raise more than $30,000 for Special Olympics of Delaware over the past three years. 

 

Doug Hawkins

-- Blue Skyz Enterprises, Lenexa, Kan.

Blue Skyz Enterprises, Inc., was founded in 1992 by Doug Hawkins.  Today, Hawkins owns three linehaul businesses, all of which contract with FedEx Ground.  Blue Skyz Enterprises employs 20 individuals who service the Lenexa, Kan. area.  The team has posted more than two million accident-free miles.  As a result of this amazing safety record, Blue Skyz Enterprises' employees have participated in the Kansas State Truck Driving Championships for several years.

 

As Hawkins works to effectively grow his business, he is moving toward greener equipment, including two retrofitted tractors that include a hybrid system that uses propane to supplement diesel fuel, as well as fuel respirators that increase fuel mileage and produce a cleaner burn.  When Hawkins is not running Blue Skyz Enterprises, his corporation sponsors a local auto-racing team.

 

Joe Robinson -- Eagleview Logistics, Toledo, Ohio

Eagleview Logistics Corporation is the parent company of subsidiary Diamond Expedited Services, which is owned by Joe Robinson's wife Paige Robinson. Together, the corporation employs 32 people. Contracting with FedEx Ground since December 2007, Eagleview Logistics posts 99 percent or higher in customer service, thanks in large part to Robinson's belief in empowering his people and the implementation of safety programs that include training and education.

Robinson makes numerous donations in the name of Eagleview Logistics to the community. This includes contributions to the Walbridge Athletic Baseball Association (W.A.B.A.) where he is spearheading a renovations project that will save a baseball field for more than 20 local teams.

 

About FedEx Ground

FedEx Ground specializes in cost-effective, small-package ground shipping, offering dependable business-to-business delivery or convenient residential service. With a network of more than 500 distribution hubs and local pickup-and-delivery terminals, FedEx Ground has a workforce of more than 70,000 employees and independent contractors and 20,000 motorized vehicles delivering over 3.6 million packages daily throughout the United States and Canada. The company reported annual revenue of $8.5 billion in fiscal year 2011.  

 

About FedEx Corp. 

FedEx Corp. (NYSE:

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) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services.  With annual revenues of $40 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 290,000 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 news.fedex.com.