UPS CEO David Abney spoke to the Detroit Economic Club Tuesday, September 29th, 2015, about businesses’ global footprint regarding the environment.
Abney said, “We have this significant global footprint and we feel it’s important that businesses start to step up.”
David Abney, who began his career as a part-time package loader while in college, serves as chief executive officer of UPS. Abney is the 11th CEO in the 107-year-history of UPS. Abney succeeded Scott Davis on September 1, 2014, as part of an orderly transition in which Davis retired as CEO but retained the role of non-executive chairman.
Abney previously served as chief operating officer since 2007, overseeing logistics, sustainability, engineering and all facets of the UPS transportation network. UPS's global transportation network serves more than 220 countries and territories, and includes a ground fleet of more than 96,000 vehicles and an air fleet of more than 500 aircraft. UPS operates major air hubs in Louisville, Kentucky; Cologne, Germany; and Shenzhen, China.
Before serving as COO, Abney was president of UPS International, leading the company's strategic initiative to increase its global logistics capabilities. During his career, Abney was also involved in a number of global acquisitions that included the Fritz Companies, Stolica, Lynxs, and Sino-Trans in China.
Earlier in his career, he served as president of SonicAir, a same-day delivery service that signaled UPS's move into the service parts logistics sector. Abney began his UPS career in 1974 in a small facility in Greenwood, Mississippi, while attending Delta State University.
In addition to his corporate responsibilities, Abney serves as a Trustee of The UPS Foundation and chairman of the World Affairs Council of Atlanta. He is also a member of the President's Export Council, the Board of Directors of Johnson Controls, and the Business Roundtable. A native of Greenwood, Miss., Abney earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Delta State University. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Delta State University Alumni Foundation. He and his wife, Sherry, sponsor the school’s annual symposium on international business.
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