Beyond FedEx Custom Critical: Brannen's Story 

Brannen, Manager, has served with FedEx Custom Critical for more than 20 years, meeting countless customers throughout his travels, and delivering the Purple Promise time and time again. However, did you know Brannen volunteers his time outside of work by interacting with people in his community, fulfilling a different type of promise? For Brannen, beyond his FedEx Custom Critical role, he is a volunteer deputy for a local sheriff’s office near Grand Rapids.

Brannen attended Wilmington College in Ohio and pursued a major in Business Management, with a minor in Criminal Justice. According to Brannen, the plan was to graduate and pursue a career as an Ohio State Highway Patrolmen, but plans changed.

“I realized I had more success in business,” said Brannen. “I graduated, got a job with a successful company, and shifted my focus for a while. But my passion to serve the community didn’t change.”

After focusing on his career in business and sales for several years, as well as entering the transportation industry with FedEx Custom Critical, he was reminded of his passion through meeting with a customer one day in 2015.

“With my role, I’ve been able to travel quite a bit, sometimes three days a week. This allows me to speak to different people, which is how I heard about the volunteer sheriff program. I befriended two guys, who directed me to the sheriff’s office near Grand Rapids, Michigan. There, I was able to speak with the captain to learn more.”

Under their many volunteer opportunities, the sheriff’s office offers a traffic squad volunteer program, with the purpose to provide trained support to their existing deputy units. Through this program, volunteers undergo in-depth training to conduct community policing, traffic control during large events, along with other assistance when necessary.
 

“I decided this was how I could give back and enrolled in the training school to become a volunteer deputy for the traffic squad. After 260 hours of training, I graduated in 2018. Since then, I’ve been able to volunteer during parades, river runs, presidential visits, and my favorite, Shop with a Sheriff.”

According to Brannen, the Shop with a Sheriff event has left a lasting impact on him and his passion.

“I’ve done it a few years now, and my wife has also been able to participate. Having the opportunity to work with kids from the community, while in uniform, and assuring them you are there to help them, as well as provide resources for them is amazing. To me, it’s not about driving around and catching bad guys or getting a pat on the back. I genuinely love being able to interact with the community, face to face, and creating purposeful connections.”

Brannen also shared, the volunteer program has allowed him to mentor those who are transitioning into jobs outside of the department or law enforcement in general. To him, FedEx Security is a great opportunity for those with previous military and/or law enforcement experience.

“I think outside of work, everyone should have something they want to achieve or participate in. It’s a matter of finding a passion that interests you that makes all the difference.”

What originally began as a passion in college has become a source of joy and fulfillment for Brannen beyond FedEx Custom Critical.