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Last Updated: Jul 11, 2008 - 11:26:39 AM

                                                                                                                              

For Immediate Release: January 11, 2007

Yvonne Hester Director of Public Information 760.955.1681

FedEx Express Donates Boeing 727 to Victor Valley College Foundation

Victorville, CA— The Victor Valley College District Foundation is set to receive a very generous donation from one of the largest companies in the world: FedEx Express is donating a retired Boeing 727-100 freighter to be used to educate and instruct students at Victor Valley College and Southern California Logistics Airport Education Consortium. Before its final flight, the Boeing 727 served FedEx Express for more than 18 years, delivering packages all across the United States. FedEx Express is the world’s largest express transportation company.

The plane was donated during a ceremony held at Southern California Logistics Airport (SCLA), on the morning of January 10, attended by business and community leaders, and civic officials from across the Victor Valley.

“FedEx is committed to the communities we serve and in which our employees live and work,” said David Sutton, Managing Director of Aircraft Acquisitions and Sales. “The donation of the 727 is just one example of the many ways FedEx supports educational endeavors.”

The Victor Valley College District Foundation is a non-profit organization formed to support Victor Valley College. The college provides higher education opportunities, job training and lifelong learning programs for more than 11,000 students each year.

“This gift makes it possible for the college to develop a very important aviation training program for our community,” said Kirk Riding, President of the Victor Valley College Foundation. “FedEx’s donation opens the door to training for high-skill, high-wage jobs at SCLA.”

The aircraft will serve as a lab for a new FAA Certified Airframe and Power Plant training program offered by Victor Valley College. It will also be used by partners in the SCLA Education Consortium to provide workforce training of current and future employees.

Victorville Mayor Terry Caldwell was on hand at the presentation, and commented, “FedEx is doing a wonderful thing by supporting the college and education consortium this way. This aircraft will help both groups remain on the cutting edge of aircraft support training for years to come, ensuring SCLA’s position as a force in the aviation industry. We’re proud to welcome an industry giant like FedEx to SCLA, and look forward to their continued presence.”