GREEN, Ohio, July 14, 2004—FedEx Custom Critical, Inc., North America’s largest provider of expedited time-critical shipments, recently rolled out the red carpet for its 2004 Four Star Award winners. The award recognizes the top 50 independent contractors who exemplify the company’s dedication to superior customer service and safe driving. These contractors lease their vehicles to the company as owner operators.

This is the fifth year for the Four Star Award. Owner operators who qualify for the distinction must meet the Four Star criteria for the fiscal year, which concluded May 31. The criteria include accident-free driving, on-time service, availability and load acceptance. 

All of the winners and their spouses or guests were invited in July to spend three nights at the luxurious Ritz-Carlton® Hotel in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, for a weekend in their honor. The weekend’s celebration included a luncheon and tour of Cleveland Browns Stadium, dinners and entertainment. The festivities were highlighted by the Four Star gala, featuring dinner and the formal presentation of the awards by President and CEO Jack Pickard. 

"The heart of our business is the service provided by our independent contractor fleet,” said Scott McCahan, senior manager of contractor relations and safety. “When customers call FedEx Custom Critical, they expect the best service in the trucking industry. These contractors make those expectations a reality each day by providing on-time deliveries, while making safe driving the top priority. The Four Star Award is a great way for our company to thank our contractors for their hard work throughout the year with a well-deserved, relaxing weekend.” 

About FedEx Custom Critical
FedEx Custom Critical provides exclusive-use, time-specific shipment services throughout the U.S. and Canada and within Europe. Among its divisions are Surface Expedite, for nonstop, door-to-door transport of critical shipments; White Glove Services®, for shipments that require special care in handling; and Air Expedite, which offers an array of expedited air solutions to meet customers’ critical delivery times. FedEx Custom Critical is an operating subsidiary of FedEx Corp.

About FedEx Corp.
FedEx Corp. provides customers and businesses worldwide with the broadest portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenues of $25 billion, the company offers integrated business applications through operating companies competing collectively and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx brands. Consistently ranked among the world's most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 240,000 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 fedex.com.