Some careers are built through careful planning. Others are shaped by curiosity, service, and a willingness to keep showing up wherever people need you most. For Beau Higgins, the path from New Orleans to Marine Corps colonel was never about chasing status or recognition. It was about leadership, responsibility, and taking care of the people around him. From humanitarian missions in Somalia to combat deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, Beau learned that leadership changes as you grow, but the foundation stays the same: put your people first, stay humble, and never make it about yourself. In this episode of the Tango Tango podcast, host Lloyd Knight sits down with Beau Higgins, Marine Corps veteran, senior client partner at The Military Veteran, and VP for business development at Oplign, to discuss leadership, military transition, and the power of personal branding. Beau reflects on his journey from New Orleans to the battlefield to the corporate world, sharing lessons on mentorship, veteran hiring, networking, and why success comes from helping others succeed first. Today, Beau continues serving the veteran community through organizations like Oplign and The Military Veteran, helping veterans and military spouses navigate careers, connect with opportunities, and build stronger futures. Whether…

Most companies aren’t struggling with procurement because they’re spending too little on technology. They’re struggling because they’re building intelligence on top of fragmented data, disconnected workflows, and outdated operating models. In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott W. Luton and Karin Bursa are joined by Mark Schenecker, VP of Manufacturing Industries at Coupa, for a data-driven conversation on the future of direct procurement. Drawing from Coupa’s State of Direct Procurement 2026 report, Mark unpacks why procurement leaders are pulling away from the pack and why AI alone isn’t the differentiator many organizations think it is. From fragmented data and disconnected workflows to the growing importance of supplier visibility and risk intelligence, the discussion explores what separates companies that react to disruption from those that anticipate it. Together, they explore why clean, connected data must come before AI, why leading organizations have moved beyond price-only sourcing decisions, and why procurement deserves a strategic seat at the table.   This episode is hosted by Scott W. Luton and Karin Bursa. Produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton.   Additional Links & Resources Check out all the great resources and information mentioned during the show: Connect with Mark Schenecker Learn…