DM: Richard Smith now president of Americas at FedEx

The Daily Memphian reports: 

Richard W. Smith, son of FedEx founder Frederick W. Smith, has a new title: regional president of the Americas for FedEx Express.

It’s part of a realignment of the express unit’s global operations from six regions into three.

The younger Smith was previously regional president of the U.S. and executive vice president of global support at FedEx Express.

The latest move follows a pattern expected by FedEx observers who believe Richard Smith is being groomed as a future chief executive officer of the company his father started in 1971.

The observers see Richard Smith taking on increasing responsibilities to prepare him for the top job.

Leadership of the newly created Americas region comes nine months after he was named last September as U.S. regional president. He was president and CEO of FedEx Logistics for two years before that.

FedEx Express Canada and Latin America and the Caribbean have been combined into the Americas region.

Their presidents, Lisa Lisson in Canada and Juan N. Cento in Latin America and the Caribbean, report to Richard Smith. FedEx Express Canada and Latin America add about 33,600 employees to a U.S. workforce listed at 112,000 last year.

“Combining the existing U.S., Canada and Latin America regions in one collaborative team is a very practical move for FedEx Express, given the extensive trade volumes already flowing between these communities of interest and shifting supply chains,” Smith said.

“I am honored and thrilled to have the opportunity to work more closely with the great teams that we have in Canada and Latin America, where we are well positioned to serve the growing e-commerce demand in these markets,” he said.

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