FedEx taps Colleran to run FedEx Express division

FedEx Corp. has named a three-decade company veteran as president of its FedEx Express division, the transport and logistics giant's lucrative air and international shipments unit.

Don Colleran will become the division's third leader in three months, following FedEx's Jan. 1 move to replace the unit's retiring former CEO David L. Cunningham with executive Raj Subramaniam. The company then promoted Subramaniam on March 1 to take over as president and chief operating officer of parent company FedEx Corp., saying he would retain both titles.

However, the company now says Colleran will now take over the reins at FedEx Express beginning March 16. Jill Brannon, a more than 30-year FedEx veteran, will succeed Colleran as executive vice president, chief sales officer of FedEx Corp.

FedEx Express is the company's cash cow, generating 55 percent of FedEx Corp.'s overall income in fiscal 2018 with $36.2 billion. That far outpaced smaller units such as FedEx Ground (28 percent), FedEx Freight (10 percent), and FedEx Services (3 percent).

"Don has the depth of talent and global experience to lead the FedEx Express organization," Subramaniam said in a release. "With his commercial focus and global mind set, he is the right choice to execute our key strategies and deliver for our customers, team members and shareholders."

Colleran has been with FedEx for almost 30 years, holding various executive level positions in several operating companies and international regions. He began his FedEx career as an international sales manager in Philadelphia before moving to Asia Pacific to lead the region's sales group. In 2000, Colleran was promoted to president of FedEx Express Canada prior to moving back to the U.S. in 2003 to serve as senior vice president of international sales. In 2006, he was appointed executive vice president of global sales, and in 2017 he rose to become executive vice president and chief sales officer of FedEx Corp.