Today we mourn the loss of Oz Nelson, our CEO from 1990 to 1996, and a truly visionary leader. Oz helped transform our company into a global logistics powerhouse, aggressively expanding service offerings and connecting customers around the world.
Starting in 1959 as a sales and service representative, Oz had spent more than three decades with the company when he took over as CEO, and he understood just how quickly customer needs were changing.
Oz championed innovative technologies, like our real-time package tracking systems and the handheld scanning devices our drivers use today. He also spearheaded our entry into the world of logistics, permanently expanding our expertise beyond package delivery and paving the way for our current customer first strategy.
We also remember Oz for leading with his heart. He was deeply committed to people – UPSers and customers around the globe – and the communities where we live and serve, driving the company’s philanthropic and volunteer efforts to new heights.
Oz served in leadership roles for numerous nonprofits, including the CDC, the Carter Center, United Way of America, and the Annie E. Casey Foundation, and he made significant contributions to education reform in Kentucky.
We owe Oz a debt of gratitude for his exemplary leadership, and we extend our deepest sympathies to his family and loved ones during this difficult time. Our thoughts are with them as we remember the enduring legacy he leaves behind.