UCLA Anderson School of Management to Honor FedEx Global Visionary Frederick W. Smith with John Wooden Global Leadership Award

UCLA Anderson School of Management today announced that Frederick W. Smith, Chairman and CEO of FedEx Corporation, will be honored as this year’s recipient of the John Wooden Global Leadership Award for his inspiring and innovative guidance of a leading global enterprise. The ceremony, held April 6, 2010, will be hosted by Deborah Roberts, ABC News correspondent, and will feature an insightful discussion with Smith about business leadership, character and ethics. As part of the evening’s tribute to leadership, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Keith Erickson and Jamaal Wilkes will share their own experiences and lessons learned from their years spent with Coach Wooden.

“Frederick Smith built the world’s most successful global transportation, business and logistics organization through his ‘people-first’ philosophy – embodying the same virtues and values that made John Wooden the inspiration for so many business executives,” said Judy Olian, dean of UCLA Anderson School of Management. “He is so deserving of the John Wooden Global Leadership Award, for his principled leadership and business legacy.”

Each year, the John Wooden Global Leadership Award recognizes an individual in corporate America who personifies the extraordinary standard of performance, achievement, and integrity set by legendary Coach John Wooden. Starbucks Chairman and CEO Howard Schultz received the inaugural award in 2008 and American Express Chairman and CEO Kenneth Chenault was honored in 2009.

Since founding FedEx in 1971, Smith placed his company’s success on employee satisfaction and empowerment, creating an environment that drives innovation in quality, service and customer satisfaction. Under Smith’s leadership, the $33 billion company ranks among the world’s most admired and trusted employers, a testament to Smith’s focus on his “people-service-profits” philosophy. An active proponent of regulatory reform, free trade and "open skies agreements" for aviation around the world, Smith has advocated for vehicle energy-efficiency standards and a national energy policy, and most recently attended a CEO roundtable with President Obama to discuss national business priorities and public policies to stimulate the economy.

Wooden’s fame as an author, philosopher and motivational speaker has extended his record as the most winning college basketball coach in history. Wooden’s expertise is recognized around the globe, as he has presented his leadership philosophy to many of the world’s major corporations and their leaders, and been honored by numerous institutions and heads of state. At age 99, Wooden continues to inspire with the release of his latest book “Coach Wooden’s Leadership Game Plan For Success.”

“Leadership is about more than making people do what you say. A prison guard can do that. A good leader creates belief—in the leader, in the organization, in its mission,” said Coach John Wooden. “It’s just as important for leaders to listen as it is to make their values visible to let the outside world know what you stand for and who you are.”

Proceeds from the dinner fund the John Wooden Leadership Fellowships, awarded annually to two UCLA Anderson MBA students who have displayed value-based leadership. For more information about the John Wooden Global Leadership Award, fellowships and UCLA Anderson School of Management, visit www.anderson.ucla.edu.

About UCLA Anderson School of Management

UCLA Anderson School of Management, established in 1935, is regarded among the leading business schools in the world. UCLA Anderson faculty members are renowned for their teaching excellence and research in advancing management thinking. Each year, UCLA Anderson provides management education to more than 1,800 students enrolled in MBA, Fully-Employed MBA, Executive MBA, UCLA-NUS Global Executive MBA, Master of Financial Engineering, and doctoral programs, and to more than 2,000 professional managers through executive education programs. Combining highly selective admissions, varied and innovative learning programs, and a world-wide network of 36,000 alumni, UCLA Anderson develops and prepares global leaders.