In this special episode of This Week in Business History, host Scott W. Luton shares the inspiring business journey of his beloved grandfather: Leroy “Dick” Winton Rutland. Throughout his life, Dick Rutland represented the ‘gold standard’ in terms of professional integrity and action-based, servant leadership. He was a dedicated employee at Winn-Dixie and Kimberly-Clark, providing an example that now lives on – at scale – through Supply Chain Now’s organizational values. Like most people, Dick Rutland was loyal to a few brands – the Solo Cup Company and Buick in particular – and his relationship with their products serve as emblematic reminders of his personal values. Among the key lessons we learn in this week’s episode are:
- Don’t let anything go to waste if you can avoid it, even if it means eating chitlins or handwashing a ‘disposable’ cup
- Strive for balance between work and family, making your own luck and opportunities as you can
- Let your actions speak for themselves, doing the right thing for its own sake, not the attention it may garner
More Podcast Episodes
Sustainability
Podcast
September 3, 2025
How Supply Chain Leaders Are Finding Calm & Clarity Amidst the Chaos
In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott Luton welcomes Jorge Morales, Global COO of the International Supply Chain Education Alliance (ISCEA), and Sandeep Chatterjee, Growth Leader, Digital Business Solutions, Supply Chain and Sustainability Pillar at INFOLOB, to explore how organizations can build resilience and clarity in today’s dynamic supply chain landscape. Jorge shares how ISCEA is equipping professionals through global certification programs and education, while Sandeep highlights his outcome-based approach to digital transformation and his insights from his book, The Consulting Way. They cover key strategies for driving profitability and resilience, including smarter inventory management, bold choices in multimodal transportation, and the adoption of advanced technologies such as 3D printing and supply chain simulation. Jorge and Sandeep also discuss the importance of continuous skill-building, trust among supply chain partners, and the role of upcoming industry events like the Supply Chain Technology Conference & Expo (SCTECH) in helping leaders prepare for the future of supply chain. This episode is hosted by Scott Luton, and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. Additional Links & Resources Check out all the great resources and information mentioned during the show: Learn more about the Supply Chain Technology Conference &…
news
Podcast
November 21, 2025
The Buzz: What’s Next for Global Supply Chains — From AI to Manifest 2026
The future of supply chain is accelerating, and today hosts Scott Luton and Kevin L. Jackson are unpacking the innovations and investments transforming the industry. From AI-driven visibility to the “zero distance” strategy by GE Appliances, this episode dives deep into what’s next for supply chain leaders. Welcome to The Buzz, powered by OMP! Scott and Kevin are joined by Pam Simon, Conference Chair and EVP of Programming at Manifest, to explore how technology, leadership, and collaboration are driving a smarter, more resilient supply chain ecosystem. Together, they discuss: How Steph Curry’s investment in the AI-powered startup Burnt is redefining the intersection of supply chain and the food industry GE Appliances’ zero-distance supply chain initiative and its impact on efficiency, technology adoption, and reshoring The rising influence of artificial intelligence in e-commerce, predictive analytics, and logistics optimization New features coming to Manifest 2026 in Las Vegas, including a dedicated procurement stage and expanded cold chain focus Why real-time visibility and autonomous systems are key to future-ready supply chains Listen in as Scott, Kevin, and Pam unpack the trends shaping 2026 and beyond — and share how today’s leaders can stay agile, connected, and innovative in a rapidly changing world. …