FedEx Names Board of Directors for Independent FedEx Freight Ahead of 2026 Spin-Off
FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) has announced the formation of a ten-member board of directors for FedEx Freight, marking a major milestone as the company prepares for the planned separation of its freight business into an independent, publicly traded entity. The spin-off is scheduled to be completed on June 1, 2026, positioning FedEx Freight to operate as a standalone company focused exclusively on less-than-truckload (LTL) freight transportation.
The newly appointed board brings together a diverse group of leaders with deep experience across transportation and logistics, supply chain management, finance, technology, risk management, and public policy. FedEx said the board’s collective expertise will support FedEx Freight as it executes a focused growth strategy and builds on its position as the largest LTL freight carrier in North America, known for industry-leading transit times, service levels, and reliability.
As previously disclosed, R. Brad Martin, current executive chairman of the FedEx Corp. board of directors, will serve as chairman of the board of FedEx Freight. He will be joined by John A. Smith, incoming president and chief executive officer of FedEx Freight, who will also serve as a director. The remaining eight directors are seasoned executives drawn from leading organizations across retail, transportation, logistics, technology, and financial services.
Leadership Focused on Continuity and Growth
FedEx emphasized that the composition of the new board reflects a deliberate balance between continuity and independence. Several directors bring long-standing FedEx experience, while others offer external perspectives critical to guiding a newly independent company through its next phase of growth.
“We’ve assembled a group of prominent industry leaders who share a strong commitment to the customer-first culture that defines FedEx,” said Brad Martin, chairman of the FedEx Freight board. “Their diverse perspectives and proven leadership will be instrumental in supporting FedEx Freight as it executes a focused strategy and builds on its position as the largest North American LTL freight carrier with industry-leading transit times, service levels, and reliability.”
Incoming CEO John Smith echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the importance of strong governance as the company transitions to independence.
“I look forward to working with our incoming directors upon completion of the spin-off, leveraging their experience and perspectives, while continuing to partner with Brad and our leadership team as we progress toward launching a world-class, independent organization,” Smith said.
Strategic Importance of the Spin-Off
The planned separation of FedEx Freight reflects FedEx Corp.’s broader strategy to sharpen the focus of its operating companies and unlock long-term value. As an independent entity, FedEx Freight will have greater flexibility to pursue tailored investments, respond to market dynamics, and compete more effectively within the highly competitive LTL freight sector.
Industry analysts note that LTL freight remains a critical component of North American supply chains, supporting e-commerce, manufacturing, retail distribution, and industrial logistics. With a dedicated board and management team, FedEx Freight is expected to concentrate on operational excellence, network efficiency, technology investments, and customer service differentiation.
Board Member Profiles
R. Brad Martin – Chairman
R. Brad Martin will serve as chairman of the FedEx Freight board, continuing his leadership role following the spin-off. He has served as executive chairman of the FedEx Corp. board since September 2025 and is also chairman of RBM Venture Company, a private investment firm. Previously, Martin served as chairman and chief executive officer of Saks Incorporated and has held board and executive roles at several public companies, including Chesapeake Energy Corporation. His extensive experience in corporate leadership, governance, and capital markets positions him to guide FedEx Freight through its transition to independence.
John A. Smith – Director, President and CEO
John Smith will serve as president and chief executive officer of FedEx Freight upon completion of the separation. He currently holds the role of chief operating officer for U.S. and Canada at FedEx Corp. and is a member of the FedEx Corp. executive committee. Smith previously served as president and CEO of both FedEx Ground and FedEx Freight, bringing more than 30 years of experience in the transportation and logistics industry. His operational expertise and deep familiarity with the FedEx network are expected to provide stability and strategic clarity during the transition.
Jeffrey A. Davis – Director
Jeffrey Davis brings extensive financial leadership experience across multiple industries. He most recently served as chief financial officer of Dollar Tree, Inc. from October 2022 to March 2025. Prior to that, he held CFO roles at Qurate Retail Group, J.C. Penney Company, Darden Restaurants, and the Walmart U.S. segment of Walmart Inc. Davis currently serves as a director of Labcorp Holdings, Inc., where he chairs the Audit Committee. His background in financial oversight, public company reporting, and capital allocation makes him a strong addition to the FedEx Freight board.
Donald E. Frieson – Director
Donald Frieson served as executive vice president, supply chain at Lowe’s Companies, Inc. from 2018 to 2024. Prior to Lowe’s, he spent nearly two decades at Walmart, including leadership roles at Sam’s Club and in replenishment and planning. Frieson currently serves as a director at Casey’s General Stores, Inc. and previously served on the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Advisory Committee for Supply Chain Competitiveness. His deep expertise in supply chain operations strengthens the board’s understanding of logistics complexity and network optimization.
Stephen E. Gorman – Director
Stephen Gorman brings decades of leadership experience in transportation and logistics. He previously served as CEO of Air Methods Corporation, CEO of Borden Dairy Company, and held senior executive roles at Delta Air Lines, including executive vice president and chief operating officer. Earlier in his career, he served as CEO of Greyhound Lines, Inc. Gorman currently serves on the board of Peabody Energy Corporation and has been a director of FedEx Corp. since 2022. He will resign from the FedEx Corp. board upon joining the FedEx Freight board at separation, ensuring governance independence.
Robert A. King – Director
Robert King served as corporate vice president, internal audit at FedEx Corp. from 2011 until his retirement in January 2025. With more than four decades at FedEx, King held roles of increasing responsibility within the internal audit organization. His experience in financial controls, risk management, and corporate governance provides critical institutional knowledge and oversight capabilities for the new board.
Cindy J. Miller – Director
Cindy Miller served as president and CEO of Stericycle, Inc., a medical waste transportation company, until its acquisition by Waste Management, Inc. in 2024. Prior to that, she spent nearly 30 years at UPS, including leadership roles as president of global freight forwarding and president of the European region. Miller currently serves on the board of W.W. Grainger, Inc. and brings deep expertise in transportation, logistics, and global operations.
Amy J. Salcido – Director
Amy Salcido most recently served as president, U.S., of Kyndryl Holdings, Inc., a Fortune 500 enterprise technology services company spun off from IBM. During her nearly 30-year career at IBM, she held senior leadership roles across technology services, customer engagement, and industry solutions. Salcido’s experience with large-scale corporate separations and technology transformation is expected to support FedEx Freight’s digital and operational modernization.
John P. Sauerland – Director
John Sauerland has served as vice president and chief financial officer of The Progressive Corporation since 2015 and previously led Progressive’s personal lines business. He brings extensive expertise in finance, risk management, and governance, gained over more than three decades at Progressive. His experience strengthens the board’s oversight of financial strategy and enterprise risk.
Samantha M. Smith – Director
Samantha Smith currently serves as staff director of global public policy at FedEx Corp., a role she has held since 2020. She joined FedEx’s government and regulatory affairs team in 2016 and is expected to continue her employment with FedEx Corp. following the spin-off. Smith’s background in public policy, government relations, and communications will support FedEx Freight as it navigates regulatory environments and stakeholder engagement as an independent company.
Positioning FedEx Freight for the Future
With its board now established, FedEx Freight is laying the governance foundation for independence while maintaining continuity with FedEx’s customer-first culture. The company is expected to leverage its scale, network density, and operational expertise to compete aggressively in the evolving LTL freight market.
As the June 2026 separation date approaches, the newly appointed board will play a central role in shaping strategy, overseeing execution, and ensuring that FedEx Freight emerges as a strong, independent leader in North American freight transportation.
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