FedEx names Smith to run LTL unit

FedEx Corp. said yesterday that John A. Smith, senior vice president of operations at FedEx Freight, has been named president and CEO of the Memphis-based company's less-than-truckload (LTL) unit.

Smith, 56, will assume his new post Aug. 16. He succeeds Michael L. Ducker, who announced his retirement last month. Smith is not related to Frederick W. Smith, the parent company's founder, chairman, and CEO.

FedEx also said that Matthew Thornton III, 59, currently senior vice president of U.S. operations for the company's FedEx Express air and international unit, was named to the newly created post of executive vice president and COO of the LTL unit. Thornton will oversee all of the unit's operations.

Smith joined FedEx in 2000. Thornton joined in 1978.