Leadership Bios

Herb Schmidt

President of CFI, a Con-way Company

Herb Schmidt is president of Contract Freighters, Inc. (CFI), Con-way’s recently acquired truckload operation. CFI is a leader in truckload and intermodal services throughout North America. Founded in 1951 with one tractor and two trailers, the company now operates over 2,600 tractors and more than 7,000 trailers, and serves shippers throughout the continent. CFI was one of the first carriers to establish operations in Mexico and has been recognized for its excellence in export service. CFI received the President’s “E” and “E-Star” Awards. The company is also ISO 9001-2000 certified.

CFI is a subsidiary of Con-way Inc. (NYSE:CNW), a $4.7 billion freight transportation and logistics services company headquartered in San Mateo, Calif. Named FORTUNE magazine’s “Most Admired Company” in transportation and logistics for 2007, Con-way delivers industry-leading services through its primary operating companies of Con-way Freight, CFI and Con-way Truckload, and Menlo Worldwide Logistics. These operating units provide high-performance, day-definite less-than-truckload (LTL), full truckload and intermodal freight transportation; as well as logistics, warehousing and supply chain management services; and trailer manufacturing. Con-way Inc. and its subsidiaries operate from more than 500 operating locations across North America and in 17 countries across five continents.

As president of CFI, a Con-way Company, Herb Schmidt oversees the day-to-day operations of the company, including sales and marketing, operations, recruiting, finance, safety, information technology and fleet maintenance. Mr. Schmidt began his career in the transportation industry with United Parcel Service in operations and industrial engineering. He joined CFI in 1984 as the director of safety. During his tenure at CFI, he gained experience in the positions of vice president of administration, vice president of safety, senior vice president of operations, and senior vice president of sales and marketing. In 2000, the Board of Directors appointed him president, promoting him from the position of senior vice president of sales and marketing. In 2005, the Board of Directors appointed him chief executive officer.

With more than 25 years in the trucking industry, Mr. Schmidt is a respected leader in his field, lending his expertise and leadership to the American Trucking Association Tort Reform and Insurance Task Force and the Missouri State Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. He is the former president of the Truckload Carriers Association Safety Council and has served 11 years as the chairman of the Professional Truck Driving Institute of America, an independent body that certifies professional driving schools throughout the country.

In 1978, Mr. Schmidt graduated summa cum laude from Missouri Southern State College in Joplin, Mo., with a bachelor of science degree in political science. During his time as a student at Missouri Southern, he was actively involved in the Young Republicans Club, as well as a member of the varsity tennis team. Mr. Schmidt is based out of CFI’s headquarters in Joplin, Mo.