Army Veteran Brings Military Values to FedEx

THE MOTIVATOR  

Bobbi Wells, Vice-President of Aviation Safety & Airworthiness, FedEx Express

Bobbi Wells joined FedEx through a program that gave U.S. military officers the opportunity to work at a corporation for one year. A quarter century later, she has risen to a tough job with serious responsibility. As Vice President of Aviation Safety & Airworthiness at FedEx Express, she holds the safety of FedEx team members in her capable hands.

“In FedEx, I found a company that values women leaders and diversity of all kinds — that knows we are stronger because of our diversity.

Military values of service and leadership are closely aligned with FedEx values, one reason why hiring veterans like myself is part of the FedEx DNA. As an Army captain, I learned about servant leadership: Never eat or sleep before your troops. Encourage improvement from the bottom up.

While I was director of the FedEx Fuel Sense Program, I worked with our front lines to identify opportunities that eventually saved us more than a billion dollars in aviation fuel costs.

In my current role, I work with our pilots, ramp personnel, aircraft technicians and aircraft dispatchers to identify hazards and reduce risk as we continue to strive for excellence. At FedEx, everyone has a chance to make a difference.

From my father, I learned not to be afraid to reach higher. He told me, if you’re not falling down, you’re not learning. I never thought that I couldn’t do something because I was a woman. I tell young women at FedEx, if you doubt yourself, you’re wasting time. We all have qualities that make us extraordinary — you just have to find your passion and go do it.”

To learn more about citizenship efforts at FedEx, visit csr.fedex.com to view the 2017 Global Citizenship Report. Highlights from the reporting period covered by the report include:

• More than 22% of management roles across FedEx are held by women
• FedEx was named one of America’s Top Corporations for Women’s Business Enterprises by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council
• FedEx has committed $150,000 to support the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes initiative