Buddy Teaster

At MODEX 2026 in Atlanta, Scott Luton sat down with Tevon Taylor, Senior Vice President of Contract Logistics at Pegasus Logistics Group, for a candid conversation about what’s really driving success (and failure) in today’s supply chains. From tariffs and AI to warehouse inefficiencies and leadership mindset, Taylor’s perspective cuts through the noise with a simple truth: technology matters, but execution matters more.   Disruption Is the New Normal If there’s one constant in 2026, it’s disruption. Tariffs, geopolitical uncertainty, and shifting trade lanes are no longer occasional challenges. They’re baked into the system. “You can’t stick to the old methods of running your supply chain. You must constantly find new ways to gain resilience,” Taylor explains. That resilience starts with flexibility. Companies that rely on rigid, linear networks are increasingly vulnerable. Instead, supply chain leaders must rethink how they design and operate their networks. Taylor emphasizes the need for multi-threaded strategies: nearshoring, domestic sourcing, and diversified transportation routes. In short, supply chains must evolve from static systems into adaptable ecosystems.   AI Is More of a Requirement Than a Buzzword While some technologies come and go as industry cliches or flavor of the month, Taylor is clear that artificial…

At Manifest 2026, Scott Luton caught up with Marina Mayer, Editor-in-Chief of Food Logistics and Supply & Demand Chain Executive, and Co-Founder and Content Director of the Women in Supply Chain Forum, for a conversation that cut through the tech buzz and landed squarely on what matters most: people. Marina leads two influential digital publications covering the full spectrum of supply chain — from temperature-controlled cold chain logistics to e-commerce and retail — along with four major industry awards programs and the rapidly growing Women in Supply Chain Forum, now entering its fifth year. But amid all the innovation on display in Las Vegas, her message was refreshingly grounded.   Disruption Is the Baseline. Proactivity Is the Shift When asked about dominant themes shaping the industry, Marina didn’t hesitate. One common theme linking 2025 and 2026 is that “disruptions obviously still exist,” she said. From tariffs to trade wars to Mother Nature, the hits keep coming. What’s different in 2026 isn’t the disruption itself; it’s the response. Instead of dwelling on what’s gone wrong, companies are getting proactive. Leaders are “acting on it and being proactive about getting in front of it,” she noted. Since COVID, organizations have learned that…