FedEx Ground Names Entrepreneurs of the Year

FedEx Ground, the small-package ground unit of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX), awarded one of its highest honors to three entrepreneurs whose small businesses provide transportation services for the company. Jason Brooks (of Brooksy, Inc., Bangor, Maine), Saul Lerma (of Lerma Transport, Inc., Yuma, Arizona) and Jack Webster (of 6748067 Manitoba, Inc., Winnipeg, Canada) were named FedEx Ground Entrepreneurs of the Year.

The distinction recognizes the small-business owners for their business growth and development, customer service, safety record, community involvement, and business ethics. FedEx Ground works with more than 8,200 small businesses throughout the United States and Canada, and Brooks, Lerma and Webster were selected from the 16 regional winners representing the best of those companies for the fiscal year ending May 31, 2014.

“Since 2007, we have bestowed the honor of Entrepreneur of the Year to exceptional small-business owners contracting with FedEx Ground to deliver reliable, safe, cost-effective, and professional service,” said Henry J. Maier, president and CEO of FedEx Ground. “These entrepreneurs have built lucrative and thriving businesses alongside FedEx Ground, while also making substantial contributions to their local communities.”

The following are brief company profiles of the business owners honored:

Jason Brooks – Brooksy, Inc., Bangor, Maine

For Jason Brooks of Brooksy, Inc., exceptional customer service begins with driver engagement. With 15 employees operating 13 vehicles, Jason understands the importance of keeping his employees connected.

To establish a sense of camaraderie and encourage teamwork, Jason pairs drivers who are in close proximity to one another.

“When one driver is finished, he calls the others nearby to offer help,” Jason explains. Other service providers often turn to Brooksy to make deliveries in extenuating circumstances, such as inclement weather.

Always committed to safety, Jason keeps his expectations fresh in the minds of his drivers. A member of the station’s safety committee, he regularly holds safety contests and pop quizzes for his drivers to remind them of the benefits of operating accident-free. Jason also extends this commitment on to the road by equipping all of Brooksy, Inc.’s vehicles with devices that monitor speed and driving techniques that alert Jason to follow-up as needed.

Brooksy, Inc.’s teamwork carries into the community, as well. Jason and his employees contribute to a local park and recreation facility, and currently champion a project to build a fishing wharf for children, where they intend to host an annual fishing derby.

Saul Lerma – Lerma Transport, Inc., Yuma, Arizona

Responsibility is the name of the game at Lerma Transport, Inc. Whether it’s taking ownership of safety and the customer experience or organizations within the community, the company is focused on people.

Twice each week, Saul Lerma meets with his customers in an effort to maintain strong relationships and better understand their needs.

Saul explains, “My goal is to see how we can improve service to them. We’re always happy to make adjustments to accommodate their needs.”

Saul’s passion for people is evident through the measures he takes to ensure safety remains above all. He is responsible for several safety initiatives at the Yuma station, including creating a voluntary safety program for service provider drivers that focuses on safe-driving basics, vehicle inspections, and Department of Transportation regulations, as well as the first annual Yuma Safety Day, which included awards, raffles and the presence of four California Highway Patrol members. The result of these efforts is zero preventable accidents over the past two years.

In the community, Lerma Transport, Inc. is a charitable leader, supporting the Harley Owners Group association, a non-profit for which Saul is the assistant director, as well as the Yuma Community Food Bank, United Way, and March of Dimes.

Jack Webster – 6748067 Manitoba, Inc., Winnipeg, Canada

The linehaul business 6748067 Manitoba, Inc., owned by Jack Webster and his son Richard Webster, has been in operation for the past 18 years. In that time, the company has established a reputation of excellence that is founded on a deep appreciation of its 12 employees.

Operating six vehicles accounting for approximately 3,400 miles per day, the company aims to dispatch drivers in a positive frame of mind and give them ample time to complete their runs safely. Jack and Richard oversee recruiting, and train new drivers to use defensive-driving techniques and perform pre- and post-trip inspections. Taking great care in explaining the company’s safety and customer service expectations, they make sure to interact with drivers at the station each day, also providing updates on weather and driving conditions.

In addition to offering a competitive salary and benefits, 6748067 Manitoba, Inc. provides its employees with a detailed safety plan, which includes incentives for safe driving, regular meetings, and safety publications filled with engaging information. The result of these efforts is a repeat performance of zero service failures and zero preventable accidents.

According to Jack, the company’s success is a reflection of the good people it employs. He noted, “We recognize that our drivers are the backbone of our operation, and believe we employ some of the most professional and dedicated people in the industry.”

About FedEx Ground

FedEx Ground, a part of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX), is a leader in cost-effective, small-package ground shipping, offering dependable service to businesses and residential customers throughout the U.S. and Canada. FedEx Ground is faster to more locations than its primary competitor and includes FedEx Home Delivery for residential customers and FedEx SmartPost specializing in the delivery of low-weight packages from businesses to residential customers through a partnership with the U.S. Postal Service®. Through a network of more than 64,000 employees, 560 distribution hubs and local pickup-and-delivery stations, and 42,000 motorized vehicles, FedEx Ground transports approximately 6.1 million packages daily. The company reported annual revenue of $11.6 billion in fiscal year 2014.

About FedEx Corp.

FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenues of $46 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 300,000 team members 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.