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
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Global supply chains are navigating an era marked by evolving challenges and opportunities. As technological advancements such as AI continue to reshape the landscape, leaders must adapt to the constant pressures of global uncertainty. In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott Luton is joined by Tony Zuazo, Interim CEO of the Community Resource Center, to explore the intersection of people, process, and technology in today’s supply chain environment. Tony shares insights from his extensive experience leading supply chains at Dollar General and his current work in nonprofit leadership. Together, they discuss the critical role of innovation in supply chain management, the growing significance of automation and AI, and the importance of adapting processes to meet both short-term needs and long-term goals. Scott and Tony also touch on the complexities of decision-making in global supply chains, the balance between technology and human-driven processes, and the need for clear communication in change management. The episode concludes with advice for leaders on how to manage uncertainty, drive efficiency, and keep people at the heart of successful supply chain operations. This episode is hosted by Scott Luton, and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. Additional Links & Resources…
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The Now Generation: Perspectives on AI, Energy, and Ethical Supply Chains
As supply chains expand across global networks, the next generation of leaders is being trained to think beyond trucks and warehouses, toward the broader constraints shaping business today. Dr. Morgan Swink, West Chair, Professor of SCM and Executive Director of the Center for Supply Chain Innovation at Texas Christian University’s Neeley School of Business, joins Supply Chain Now alongside three standout seniors, Ava Scotchie, Joshua Ahn, and Cort Comer, to share what they’re seeing in real time as they prepare to enter the industry. In this Now Generation conversation, Scott Luton and Dr. Swink explore what makes TCU’s supply chain program so distinctive, from high-touch faculty mentorship and curriculum that mirrors real workplace ambiguity, to site visits, case competitions, and capstone projects designed to deliver real value to companies. The students share how these experiences have shaped their confidence, career direction, and readiness to lead. They also dig into the trends these emerging professionals are watching most closely: reverse logistics and the rising cost of returns, sustainability and ethical visibility across multi-tier suppliers, and the growing energy and infrastructure demands driven by AI and data center expansion. The episode highlights how supply chain thinking is evolving, and why the leaders…