Press Releases

Con-way Wins Top Government Honor for Support of Employees in National Guard and Reserves

Company Becomes One of 15 Organizations out of 1,000 Nominees Nationally to Receive Prestigious Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award

SAN MATEO, Calif. - Sep. 13, 2007 -

Con-way Inc. (NYSE: CNW) has won the “Freedom Award” – the highest recognition bestowed by the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense organization promoting cooperation between the Guard and reserves and civilian employers.

Douglas W. Stotlar, president and CEO of Con-way Inc., accepted the 2007 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award at a ceremony yesterday evening in Washington, D.C. Con-way is a $4.7 billion freight transportation and global logistics services provider headquartered in San Mateo, Calif. It was one of more than 1,000 companies nominated for the award.

The Freedom Award is given to employers who have shown exemplary support of employees who also serve in the National Guard and reserves. To be considered for the award, companies must be nominated by employees active in the Guard or reserves. Con-way’s nomination came from two employees: Alan Haskew, a Con-way Freight driver sales representative from Salt Lake City who served in Kuwait; and Michael McAllister, a Con-way Freight operations supervisor from Indianapolis who served in Iraq with the Indiana National Guard and is currently deployed with its pre-mobilization training and assistance element.

“We take our responsibility to our employees in the Guard and reserves — and their families — very seriously,” said Stotlar. “It is our honor to work with the men and women willing to put themselves in harm’s way to defend our country’s freedoms, supporting them in every way we can. It is the least we can do in light of the sacrifices they make to protect our liberties.”

Con-way offers its employee soldiers pay differentials and uninterrupted health benefits for their families. Over the last year, the company has paid more than $200,000 in differential compensation to its deployed citizen/soldiers. The company’s human resources representatives maintain contact with families to ensure that they understand all available benefits, while employee volunteers also provide outreach to soldiers’ families, assisting them with every day challenges such as home maintenance, auto repairs and snow removal. For employees on active duty, Con-way Freight also sends care packages full of items like soap, shampoo and magazines. 

Con-way was previously awarded ESGR’s Patriot, Above and Beyond, and Pro Patria Awards, also presented to employers who provide exemplary support to their employees in the National Guard and reserves.

“The 15 outstanding companies we selected out of more than 1,000 nominees do far more for their employee soldiers than the law requires, and we applaud their exceptional support,” said Dr. L. Gordon Sumner Jr., executive director, ESGR. “It’s never been more important for employers to come through for their employees serving in the National Guard and reserves.”

The Freedom Award was created in 1996 by then-Secretary of Defense William Perry. Winners are chosen on the basis of criteria including pay/benefits/leave policies, supervisor training, service member recognition, family and deployed member support and previous ESGR awards. Previous winners include Starbucks Corporation, Harley-Davidson and The Home Depot.

About Con-way Inc. Con-way Inc. (NYSE:CNW) is 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 three primary operating companies: Con-way Freight, CFI and Con-way Truckload Services and Menlo Worldwide. These operating units provide high-performance, day-definite less-than-truckload (LTL) and 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 locations across five continents, including North America. For more information about Con-way, visit…www.con-way.com/.

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