FedEx announces NIL program for University of Memphis student-athletes
FedEx recently announced an NIL program benefiting University of Memphis student-athletes. FedEx will invest $5M per year for the next five years in University of Memphis student-athletes who will promote FedEx initiatives, with the program initially centered around football, men’s and women’s basketball, and additional women’s sports.
“We are truly appreciative of the vision and support of FedEx’s leadership in this area,” said Laird Veatch, University of Memphis vice president and director of Intercollegiate Athletics. “NIL opportunities have become a crucial facet of the student-athlete dynamic, and we believe major corporate support of NIL will need to be a key part of the future landscape of college athletics. We are confident this groundbreaking commitment by one of the world’s most well-known and successful companies will inspire others in Tiger Nation to realize the power of investing in student-athletes and join the mission with further support.”
FedEx, whose world headquarters is in Memphis, is introducing the NIL model at its hometown university to bolster further its longstanding relationship with the University of Memphis athletic department. With support from national industry experts Altius Sports Partners, this NIL activity is part of a robust sports sponsorship portfolio supporting FedExForum, the FedEx/St. Jude Championships, the Southern Heritage Classic, and the AutoZone Liberty Bowl, all in Memphis.
“We evaluated the evolving NIL landscape, exploring how we can best deliver positive impact to student-athletes and connect them to meaningful opportunities for both themselves and the community and made the decision to reallocate marketing funds to an NIL platform,” said Brian Philips, EVP and CMO at FedEx. “This gives us an opportunity to invest in bright, young athletes in our great hometown of Memphis, strengthening our connection to the next generation of leaders.”
Schneider honored as Best-In-Class Employer by Gallagher
Schneider National was recently named a Best-In-Class Employer for excelling in implementing programs and initiatives focused on its associates by Gallagher’s 2023 U.S. Benefits Strategy & Benchmarking Survey.
The distinction recognizes Schneider for creating a comprehensive framework that invests in benefits, compensation, and communication to support all its associates' health, financial security, and career growth.
“Schneider is a responsible company committed to providing consistent career growth and a culture of respect for our associates,” said Angela Fish, Schneider EVP of human resources. “We ensure that there are always opportunities for advancement and skill development, as well as competitive benefits and compensation.”
Schneider earned points for its high performance in the following areas:
- Planning horizons for its benefits and compensation strategies
- Extent of its wellbeing strategy
- Turnover rate for full-time equivalents
- Completion of a workforce engagement strategy
- Use of an HR technology strategy and its level of sophistication
- Difference in health care costs over the prior year
- Use of a communication strategy
“Schneider understands that high employee expectations haven’t budged in the changing labor market and have regularly examined their formula to attract and retain talent,” said CEO of Gallagher’s Benefits & HR Consulting Division William F. Ziebell. “In doing so, Schneider utilizes data, workforce feedback tools, and clearly defined policies to provide competitive benefits and experiences that their associates value.”
Continental Express ‘Feeding Families’ truck hits the road to honor truck drivers and farmers
Continental Express unveiled its latest specially wrapped truck, honoring professional truck drivers and American farmers for their efforts to feed families nationwide.
The wrap covering truck 1050 bears the words, “Feeding Families: One Acre, One Mile, One Load at a Time,” with a farm scene and the American flag-eagle wings signature to Continental Express’ Fleet of Heroes truck series.
“Our story starts on a family farm,” said Continental Express VP Brad Gottemoeller. “Continental celebrates our 40th anniversary this year, so we’re thinking a lot about those early days and how we got started. Our roots run parallel with farming, and it hasn’t escaped us that we could not do our job without farmers.”
Specializing in refrigerated and temperature-controlled freight, Continental helps feed American families by safely transporting food to grocery stores. Continental recognizes that its 1,250 trailers are filled with goods each day largely because of the hard work of the agriculture industry.
“Semi-trucks are everywhere, on every U.S. highway, all hours of the day. Yet, the truck driver can be overlooked. They are the ones putting in the hours and sacrificing home time for the sake of keeping our nation moving and fed,” Gottemoeller said. “The hard work of farmers grows in fields all around, yet the people behind those fields can go unappreciated. Our hope is this truck thanks both groups of workers for putting food on America’s tables.”
Taking on the keys to truck 1050 is farmer-turned-professional driver Dale Hunt.
Hunt worked on his family farm in high school and adulthood, juggling full-time factory work. After 30 years of balancing the two, Hunt needed a change. He sold all but 5 acres of the farm, sought out his class-A commercial license, and took a job with Continental Express.
“We could not think of a better driver for truck 1050 than Dale,” said Jake Albers, Continental general manager. “Dale takes incredible pride in a job well done. He’s detailed, punctual, and always professional with our customers.”
See also: Darden provides 10 reefer trucks to Feeding America
Averitt celebrates 20 years with EPA SmartWay program
Averitt is commemorating two decades of commitment as a founding member of the SmartWay program. Since joining the program, Averitt has demonstrated dedication to sustainability and environmental responsibility, advancing supply chain efficiency and reducing carbon footprints.
Established in 2004, the SmartWay program, an initiative pioneered by the Environmental Protection Agency, serves as a cooperation model between public and private entities to promote sustainable practices within the freight transportation industry. SmartWay empowers companies to make informed decisions that enhance fuel efficiency and reduce emissions throughout their supply chains by implementing rigorous measurement, benchmarking, and continual improvement strategies.
Averitt's ongoing partnership with SmartWay underscores its proactive approach to environmental stewardship. Since joining, Averitt has achieved:
- 36% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions
- 84% reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions
- 5.4 million gallons of diesel fuel saved
"Averitt is honored to celebrate 20 years of partnership with the SmartWay program," said Gary Sasser, chairman and CEO at Averitt. "Our longstanding commitment to sustainability is a core value that guides our operations and underscores our responsibility to future generations. We never stop looking for more environmentally friendly ways to do business. Because we know the choices we make today will directly affect the world we’ll leave behind tomorrow."
Peterbilt receives 2024 Environment + Energy Leader Award
Peterbilt recently received a 2024 Environment + Energy Leader Award for its dedication to sustainability and innovation. For over a decade, the E+E Leader Awards program has celebrated the advancements made in the realms of environmental, sustainability, and energy management. The award recognizes those who contribute and set new standards in the industry. Winners of the award are leaders in environmental initiatives and energy management, with their achievements serving as benchmarks for excellence across the globe.
Peterbilt is committed to reducing emissions, promoting sustainability, and diverting 13.2 million lb. of waste annually from its operations; the company also encourages landfill diversion among local suppliers. Of this waste, 82% is recycled, 17% is fuel blended, and 1% is composted. Peterbilt strategies for waste reduction include using reusable containers instead of single-use packaging, minimizing excess material, reusing materials on-site, and improving operational efficiency. Peterbilt also facilitates an annual employee environmental fair to raise sustainability awareness and holds a household hazardous waste collection, promoting the diversion of such waste from local landfills in the community.
“Peterbilt has been at the forefront of environmental excellence for decades, achieving the Zero Waste to Landfill designation over 15 years ago, which recognizes companies that handle waste in environmentally responsible and innovative ways,” said Leon Handt, Peterbilt assistant general manager of operations. “We are very proud to receive the 2024 Environment + Energy Leader Award and remain committed to reducing land and water pollution, emissions, and climate impact to ensure a sustainable environment for future generations.”
