Get to know the man set to lead the package delivery giant.  

By Shaan Bajaj

On March 28th, Founder and current Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of FedEx Corporation, Frederick W. Smith announced that he will be stepping down from the role and will continue to serve as Executive Chairman. He also stated that Raj Subramaniam will take his place and become President and CEO of one of the world’s largest international courier services companies. In his announcement Frederick stated: “I have a great sense of satisfaction that a leader of the calibre of Raj Subramaniam will take FedEx into a very successful future”. In this new role, Raj will provide strategic direction to all FedEx operating companies. 

Raj has been with FedEx since 1991 and has gained extensive global experience in strategy, operations and marketing during his three decades at the company. Prior to his current role as President and CEO, Raj served as President and CEO of FedEx Express and Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer of FedEx Corp. Raj was also recently elected to the FedEx Board of Directors and will retain his position. 

In a recent interview, his father, C Subramaniam detailed his son’s career within the company. He recollected that by chance, Raj secured a position as a junior analyst at FedEx after a candidate from Chennai backed out. Raj came from a middle-class background, pursuing an MS in chemical engineering in NYC and an MBA in Texas on a scholarship. Now that his son is helming the reins of one of the biggest companies in the world, he stated that he shared this piece of advice with him: “I told him after his appointment as CEO [you have to] maintain humility, integrity, and a spiritual base.”