MEMPHIS—Head of corporate communications and 16-year FedEx veteran Bill Margaritis has elected to accept a voluntary buyout and leave the company.

Margaritis was corporate vice president, global communications and investor relations for FedEx Corporation, responsible for the company’s relationship with stakeholders around the world, including customers, shareowners, thought leaders, news media and team members.

Prior to joining FedEx in 1997, Margaritis was vice president of Bechtel International, based in London, and held positions with Occidental Petroleum, the US Secretary of Commerce’s Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, and the Michigan State Senate. In 1984, he worked with the Reagan-Bush re-election campaign as the deputy director for the State of Michigan.

He is the immediate past chairman of the Arthur W. Page Society and serves on boards including the Larry King Cardiac Foundation, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Greater Memphis, the We Are Family Foundation, the Board of Counselors for the Council on Public Relations Agencies, the US War College Strategic Communications Council and the Arthur Page Society.

According to executive vice president Michael Glenn, “During his 16 years with the company, Bill has contributed immensely to building and protecting the FedEx reputation and culture, and supporting the business. He has been instrumental in positioning FedEx as one of the world’s Most Admired Companies and Best Places to Work. He has been a loyal executive who has brought valuable strategic thinking and passion to the job over his tenure.”

Says Margaritis, “The buyout offer was simply too compelling to turn down. Another key factor was knowing that I am leaving behind a high performing team that is incredibly motivated and successful in its own right. A solid foundation is in place for the team to excel going forward as we have all the resources, technology systems and processes in place for them to excel going forward.”