In The News

First 'Hero of the Highway' Award

THE OPEN ROAD FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES RECIPIENTS OF FIRST
HERO OF THE HIGHWAY AWARD

Steve and Kim Cooper Honored for Rescuing Fellow Motorist from Burning Vehicle


DALLAS, TX, February 17, 2009 – The Open Road Foundation today announced that it has presented its first Hero of the Highway Award to husband and wife driver team Steve and Kim Cooper of Park Hill, Oklahoma in recognition of their heroic actions to save the life of a fellow motorist who was trapped inside a burning vehicle. The Open Road Foundation, launched in August 2008 by Fenway Partners, a leading middle market private equity firm with more than two dozen investments in transportation and logistics companies, is a non-profit organization which provides victim assistance and supports educational and career development programs for the employees and professional independent contractor drivers of the transportation and logistics companies within the Fenway portfolio as well as their dependents.  

Steve and Kim Cooper are professional independent contractor drivers for Panther Expedited Services, Inc., a Fenway Partners portfolio company.  On the evening of November 25, 2008, they were traveling along Interstate 75 in Florence, Kentucky, when they spotted a vehicle engulfed in flames. When Mr. Cooper approached the burning vehicle and found that the driver was still inside, he and another motorist rescued the driver by pulling him out safely just before the vehicle exploded.  

“What Steve and Kim did was a true act of courage and valor,” stated Andrew Clarke, President and Chief Executive Officer of Panther. “We are extremely proud that such an act of heroism came from members of the Panther family.”

Bill Webb, President of The Open Road Foundation and an operating executive at Fenway Partners, added, “The Coopers’ act of bravery and self-sacrifice captures the essence of the Hero of the Highway Award. We could think of no better recipients for the first presentation of this very important award.”

The Hero of the Highway Award was presented by Fenway Partners executives and Open Road Foundation Board members Marc Kramer and Bill Webb on Tuesday, February 17, 2009, during a ceremony at Panther’s corporate headquarters in Seville, Ohio. In addition to a $1,000 cash award, Mr. Cooper was presented with a custom leather jacket and Mrs. Cooper received a custom watch from The Open Road Foundation.



About The Open Road Foundation
The Open Road Foundation was established in 2008 by Fenway Partners to maintain a victim assistance fund to support eligible employees and professional independent contractor drivers impacted by disaster and/or unfortunate personal circumstances.  Additionally, The Open Road Foundation provides annual educational scholarships to eligible employees, professional independent contractor drivers, and/or their dependents who are enrolled in or applying to accredited colleges, junior colleges, and vocational schools. All employees and professional independent contractor drivers of transportation and logistics companies owned by Fenway Partners and their dependents are eligible for the assistance and scholarships. The Open Road Foundation is a Dallas-based Texas Corporation and is organized as a public charitable foundation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. For more information, visit www.openroadfoundation.com.

About Fenway Partners
Fenway Partners is a middle market private equity firm based in New York with approximately $2.0 billion under management. Fenway invests in profitable businesses with significant upside potential. Fenway companies typically have leading franchises and operate in two core industry segments, branded consumer products and transportation/logistics. With significant knowledge and success investing in these industries, Fenway has built a strong reputation for its hands on approach to supporting portfolio companies. Fenway’s current portfolio includes: 1-800-CONTACTS (the leading direct-to-consumer distributor of contact lenses); American Achievement (class ring and yearbook supplier to schools); Coach American (motorcoach bus operator); Easton Bell Sports (performance sporting goods manufacturer); Fastfrate (Canadian transportation and logistics services); Panther (expedited ground and air transportation solutions); Preferred Freezer (frozen public warehousing services); Refrigerated Holdings (temperature-controlled warehouse and transportation services); RoadLink (intermodal logistics); and Targus International (designer and distributor of mobile computer carry cases and accessories). For further information about Fenway Partners, please visit www.fenwaypartners.com.

Contacts:

The Open Road Foundation/ Fenway Partners
Bill Webb
(214) 205-7495

Panther Expedited Services
Jeffrey St. Pierre
(330) 417-9699