Former UPS Executive, Three-Term Congressman Wellman Dies at 61
Wellman worked at UPS for nearly four decades, beginning as a package sorter and eventually heading up all worldwide government affairs activities in Washington.
Former colleagues and industry executives remember Wellman as a shrewd political operative who guided UPS through legislative battles over proposed ergonomics regulations and postal rates. He also helped UPS win the right to operate direct flights into China and worked on proposals to encourage expansion of international trade.
Arnold Wellman“Arnie’s leadership and dedication helped UPS to grow and succeed in the global marketplace,” said Laura Lane, who succeeded Wellman as head of global public affairs after he retired at the end of 2011.
Born in Waterbury, Connecticut, Wellman attended Southern Connecticut State University, where he majored in political science. He also attended the business school at Emory University in Atlanta.
At age 24, Wellman was elected to the Connecticut Legislature, the youngest person to do so, and represented his district from 1977 to 1982 — all the while keeping his job sorting packages for UPS.
He worked for a year in human resources and customer service in New Jersey, and two years as manager of package operations for the Virginia and Maryland area before joining the public affairs office in Washington.
In 1998, he organized a trip for a group of UPS staff members to Santa Rosa, Mexico, where they built a classroom and supplied it with donated computers and free Internet access.
Wellman subsequently led similar missions to disadvantaged communities, including in Montana, Maryland, China and India.
“He understood electoral politics and company culture,” said Boyd Stephenson, vice president of international supply chain operations for American Trucking Associations. “He would teach us to be a bridge between those worlds.”
Stephenson worked for Wellman in 2003 as a legislative assistant and accompanied him on trips to Poland and Mexico.
Pat Thomas, senior vice president of state government affairs for UPS and ATA chairman, remembered Wellman too: “Nothing is ever impossible,” Thomas said of one of Wellman’s familiar dictates. “No doesn’t mean no. You have to maximize opportunities and do things in new and different ways.”
Wellman is survived by his wife, Jennifer; children Andrew, Alden, Avery and Abagael; stepchildren Rebecca and Ben; four grandchildren, plus sisters Shelly and Marianne.
