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PODCAST EPISODE: Supply Chain Now Radio – Episode-163
Supply Chain Now Radio
Episode 163

In the first interview from the SCAC AIAG Supply Chain & Quality Conference in Charleston, South Carolina, Scott, Greg, and Beau Groover of The Effective Syndicate welcomed Jim Liegghio, Program Manager-Supply for the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) to Supply Chain Now Radio.

Supply Chain Now Radio – Episode-163

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[00:00:00] It’s time for Supply Chain Now Radio Broadcasting live from the Supply chain capital of the country. Atlanta, Georgia Supply Chain Now Radio spotlights the best in all things supply chain the people, the technology’s the best practices and the critical issues of the day. And now here are your hosts.

 

[00:00:29] Hey, good morning. Scott Luton here with you live on Supply Chain Now Radio. Welcome to the show. We are coming to you today from the A.G. S.C. AC Supply chain and Quality Conference in TAL in North Charleston, South Carolina. AIG, the Automotive Industry Action Group C, the South Carolina Automotive Council. This conference is dedicated to the world of automotive and we’re gonna be meeting with many of the leading industry thought leaders that are participating here. A big thanks to our conference broadcast sponsor the Effective syndicate for making our coverage possible. The EFFECTIVE SYNDICATE helps companies win by optimizing process and developing winning cultures. You can learn more at the effective syndicate dot com. Quick programming note. Like all of our series on Supply Chain Now Radio, you can find our replays on a wide variety of channels Apple podcasts, SoundCloud, Spotify, wherever else you find your podcast. As always, we’d love to have you subscribe to almost anything. So let’s welcome in my co-host here today, Mr. Greg White serial co-host Supply Chain Now Radio Serial Supply chain, tech entrepreneur and trusted advisor Greg. How you doing? Hey, I’m doing great. It’s great to be here. It is great to be here. A beautiful morning. And it really wasn’t. It was the easy drive down here as well, no doubt. And Bo Gruber, founder and president of the Effective syndicate and co-host of our Leadership Matters series here on Supply Chain Now Radio. Hey, Dumbo, I’m June, just right. Good morning. Good to see you as well. I know you’ve been traveling quite a bit lately as well, and it’s been a little bit of a whirlwind, but I’m having fun. Absolutely. And so we’ve got a great guest. This is our our kickoff podcast for our coverage down here. And we’re gonna we’re gonna kick off with the rock and roll star. Jim Liegghio, program manager, SUPPLY CHAIN with the Automotive Industry Action Group. Jim. How you doing? Good morning, gentlemen. Doing very well, thanks. Great to have you here and appreciate what you and your organization do to make these events happen.

 

[00:02:16] Yeah. Thanks very much. We’re. We’re excited to be here. Third year in a row in Charleston putting on this joint event with South Carolina Automotive Council. We’ve had two successful years and we know that today and tomorrow will be a third good run. So thanks for for having us. We’re excited to have you guys here as well. Thanks.

 

[00:02:30] I was excited to see two beautiful cars parked out front. I was so looking forward to this because I love cars. And I think you guys are off to a great start. All right.

 

[00:02:41] Well, you know, as we talked about in the warm up, Jim is partnering side by side with Amy Tinsley, which we’re a fan of, future governor of South Carolina. So we’re big. But but this is our first event like this Daryl or first AIG FCIC event. But we have really enjoyed the run up conversations to the run up that we’ve got a great slew of interviews set up over the next two days. So thanks for everything you and your team done. Make this happen. Yeah. So but before we’d learn more about AIG, Jim, tell us more about yourself and your journey to where you sit here today.

 

[00:03:13] Sure. Yeah. It’s been kind of a wild ride. No regrets the whole time. It’s been very exciting. And Supply chain 20 year career so far from OEM manufacturing to mid-level manufacturing export import compliance. Couple rolls there ended up at AIG about two and a half years ago. So one minute you’re chasing parts on third shift for minivans and the next minute you’re on Supply Chain Now Radio. So very, very exciting journey and lecturing for a business supply chain program at a community college as well. So being an automotive or back to automotive, I should say, has afforded me some pretty interesting opportunities and working with folks like Amy Hensley. She’s fantastic. And the whole South Carolina Automotive Council team. So agreed. That’s me in a nutshell.

 

[00:03:52] You know, automotive is one of those unique industries. When you’ve worked in it or you’ve supplied the industry, it’s just such a whole different sense of urgency. Right. And for that matter, exactness. Yes.

 

[00:04:04] You know that precision matters for sure. Absolutely. And you never lose that sense of urgency, especially if it’s instilled in you early on in your career. I can tell you now that, you know, I work on programs and content. You still possess that kind of assembly line mentality. So I didn’t always keep things exciting and interesting. And it’s been a great career. Automotive is fantastic. Well, so on that note, let’s talk more about the AIG Automotive Industry Action Group. So what what does the organization do? So we’re a not for profit automotive association founded in the early 80s by GM, Ford and Chrysler, really kind of founded to solve industry common problems, form standards around disparities in the way business was done among the big three back then. We now have 36 hundred member companies, many, many smaller and mid-level manufacturing companies that just don’t know what they don’t know about supply chain, about quality, about corporate responsibility. So we still have the standard setting mindset and that that part of the business. But we also produce world class events. We do training onsite. We just moved to a new facility in South. Field Michigan about a year ago. So kind of state of the art training class is going on all the time. So 47 employees and at any given moment, about 700 volunteers from the industry that work. They worked their day jobs in the industry and they volunteer on projects at AIG and they’re quote unquote, free time.

 

[00:05:15] Wow. Thirty six hundred member companies. Yes. It’s growing quite a bit the last few years. Man in the southeast here with the the influx of more and more automotive in the last 20, 25 years, you’ve seen a lot of growth here as well.

 

[00:05:27] Yeah, that’s the reason we’re here. We’re really trying to bridge the gap between Detroit and the southeast manufacturing region. So all of the southern states have been great partners and trying to kind of bring some of our programming to the southeast where obviously manufacturing is migrating. So yeah, a lot of vehicles are obviously produced here and suppliers follow suit and come down and service providers as well. So these joint events are a great avenue to really gain some traction with potential members. Welcome in the new members pitch our sponsored membership programs, that type of thing. So we’re bringing our message, you know, out of Detroit because if they won’t come to us, we’ll come to them. Sure. And bring it down here to the southeast. So it’s it’s been kind of a home away from home here in Charleston. And like I said, Amy and her team at ACMA have been have been stellar to work with.

 

[00:06:08] That’s great. That’s great to have. If you have to have a home away from home, Charleston’s a great place.

 

[00:06:13] I played tour guide last night, have been here quite a few times myself. Froome for personal and business, not standard city is a great city. So in your current role, Jim, with AIG, what do you do?

 

[00:06:24] So I’m responsible for programming and content in the supply chain space. Anything from, you know, producing these events and kind of lining up the content and agendas, recruiting speakers, world class speakers, you know, trading customers is actually going to be here this time. From that to kind of coordinating our training programs, vetting our publications that have been around for a while. So revamping some of those industry outreach, membership outreach. Personally, I find rewarding opportunities and academic outreach students trying to fill that supply chain talent pipeline and mentor to students locally in Detroit that are supply chain undergrads. And I mentioned now I’m lecturing for a community college as well. So trying to kind of pepper in some of my industry experience there and to encourage young, young minds to get into supply chain, which I think one of the principal issues we have now is that talent pipeline is that interest level in manufacturing and in supply chain. So that’s really I have a kind of a wide purview of what I do at AIG, but all things content and programming and supply chain kind of I work with those men.

 

[00:07:20] Nurturing and mentoring is so important. I mean, we were talking about it on the way here when I started and what now is called Supply chain. It wasn’t even called Supply chain saying I didn’t start it up. Yeah. I don’t think any of us grew up saying, golly, I’d much rather be in Supply chain than be a racecar driver. All right. But but it’s it’s now it’s a strategic imperative. Right. It’s not a necessary evil as it had been. And kind of a back office function, right? Yeah. It’s not like separating your company. It’s a core competency versus a cost center. Yeah.

 

[00:07:55] Versus the tail on the dogs. Yeah, absolutely. Yeah. Same thing for me. When I started in university under what wasn’t called Supply chain, it was Logistics management and it was under marketing believe it or not. So what was a sub major. If you believe that. Wow.

 

[00:08:06] Yeah. Well I for one really enjoy and can appreciate the bridge builder. That aspect of your role and really the aspect of the AIG organization. We need more bridge builders in an industry society right now. So I love that component of what you do. All right. So let’s talk about. All right. Obviously, we know why you’re here, but what do you look at? I mean, this is the third year of having a successful event like this. What is your favorite component of these events?

 

[00:08:35] I actually appreciate the diversity of the speakers that we have. So this started as a hybrid quality and supply chain event, basically 50/50. The IETF standard was brand new a couple of years ago, so quality had a big, big stretch in what we were doing. At this point it’s probably 80 85 percent supply chain, but within that 80 85 percent we have a wide diversity of speakers and messaging that’s coming through. And one of the things I appreciate most or get most excited about is kind of cherry picking some of those topics and bringing that to the audience to where they’re going to get the most value out of it. So three months ago in Detroit, we had our Supply chain summit, which was a homerun by all. By all counts, we and we did just that. We had the challenge supply chain is the variety of topics or the breadth of it all. So bringing the right relevant events and topics to the audience is one of the things I find most rewarding, and I hope that happens here. I believe it will obviously international trade tariffs, that type of thing is is top of mind in manufacturing companies. There’s a lack of expertise around it. So that’s why we have actually two sessions on trade and customs, one one right from CBP themselves and one from Aaron Fox, Bridget Matheson Woods. You guys, we’ll talk to you later on time tomorrow, right? Outstanding. Yeah.

 

[00:09:39] So, Jim, what are one or two of the industry trends that you’re watching or maybe tracking or worried about?

 

[00:09:47] Personally, I see that kind of talent pipeline or I should say aptitude pipeline drying up a little bit in manufacturing and it’s pocketed around the country. Right? We feel it in Detroit. Other industries feel it as well. But I think just.

 

[00:09:59] A need for more folks to get into automotive and specialize in supply chain. That’s one of the top of my concerns and that’s personally why I do a lot more outreach than I than I probably should. I’m encouraging students. Number one, I’m passionate about it. Number two, I sense the talent pipeline is potentially could dry up. And if people are looking away from manufacturing as kind of a volatile area into other careers, I want to bring them back into the fold and keep keep America’s no manufacturing industry healthy. That’s one thing. Yeah.

 

[00:10:27] Yeah. With a lot of what you’re doing, especially from an enrichment and awareness standpoint, are you all going. Getting into elementary schools yet? Not quite elementary schools where we’re working our way down to the community college, junior college level.

 

[00:10:40] Yeah, ideally maybe even earlier than that at some point. But yeah, we’re trying to pitch careers even as far as called junior college or community college level so people don’t. For example, I have 35 students on my course and only one of them is targeting a supply chain major. And I’m I’m questioning why. Wow, that’s quite typical. But I think a lot of we’re don’t know about the career and the opportunities and within. I certainly didn’t at that age. So just creating awareness, that’s one issue. The other issue I think is top of mind is really what to do with all of the data that we’re now being presented with information and data. There’s a lot of talk around big data and artificial intelligence and trends therein. But who’s going to specialize in analyzing all this information and doing what with it? You have to you have to take that and turn it into a skill set or to come our comparative advantage. So just kind of getting people’s arms around what’s out there, what’s possible. As we develop into this technical digital age, you know, you even realize the power of what what information is out there that put things so well put.

 

[00:11:36] I know Greg wants to ask you Greg wants you to get your crystal ball out. But right before we do that little sidebar, we want to talk with you about Supply chain went to one since we’ve been doing in Georgia and now spilled over into South Carolina, where we’re taking teams of Supply chain practitioners in element in the third, fourth and fifth grade classrooms and defining in Supply chain. It has been a fascinating, you know, through through several years, over 40 sessions. Fourteen hundred students that we have presented to and engaged with. And I think we’ve learned more than students. But so we could talk about that for hours, but we’ll maybe compare notes afterwards. All right.

 

[00:12:11] Yeah. Yeah. That’s a really great program. Yeah. So. Yeah. So I’d love to considering what you’re seeing. Right. I mean, with what you’re seeing with the talent pool and and the proliferation of data. Right. And obviously we need to up skill in that area as well.

 

[00:12:31] What do you see? Any bold predictions for the future for automotive? I’m going to be really boring here and save for bold predictions. I actually I sense people are going to kind of get back to basics and analyzing some of their networks. What I sense is a bit of a cost crunch coming up that the economy’s showing indications of slow belt tightening. So I think people would be behoove to really study their networks and their opportunities. You know, the cost of fuels fluctuated some of the infrastructure changes that the import export footprint has really changed the international trade footprint. So I have a feeling people may try to get back to that kind of basic Logistics management stuff next year and really understanding optimizing their networks. I’m kind of a big believer in and understanding your cost structure is right. So there’ll be some of that. But but again, I think the bold prediction would be, you know, whereas electrification going to go, whereas autonomous vehicles are going to go, what are the investments going to look like in these solutions? You know, generally mobility, I think is people are changing their minds.

 

[00:13:26] That’s about ownership of vehicles, right. Younger generations aren’t quite sure they want to buy a car. So how do the automakers react to that volume fluctuation? So I think I think that still building, maybe not for next year, but, you know, a couple of years and beyond. So one project we just put together was a Supply chain thought leadership program with Thomson Reuters, which is the Supply chain 2025. Can a future of automotive cool look. So we’re we’re actually in an analysis phase of the European America’s version of that right now. First draft will be due out probably mid to late October. So looking forward to look there. We can see what you’re really thinking about for the future. Yeah, absolutely. And this was done. This was a project done in conjunction with, you know, multiple executive and interviewing them and studying understanding where were their top of mind concerns are what’s keeping them up at night, turning that into a survey project and mass out to the industry. And then we’re going to turn around and analyze the results. So it’ll be a very good indicator on a wide scale.

 

[00:14:17] Very cool. And just once again, for our listeners, that’ll be out that the final report will be out by the end of the year.

 

[00:14:22] Okay. Asia Pacific regional report is actually out since May, but the Europe in the Americas version will probably be out, let’s call it late, late October, early November and then a global comparison by the end of the year. So that’s what we call a thought leadership project that we’ve been working on. All of our KPI is is thought leadership at A.G. So we worked with Thomson Reuters, which is a leading research company, right? Sure. Yeah. Automotive being one of the things they specialize in. So yeah, I look forward to that. And that’ll be out on our on our blogs and web pages by the end of the year. Well let us know when you get that. Absolutely. Well, yeah, yeah.

 

[00:14:52] One of things Lufthansa will do is we will meet with some these thought leadership groups and they’ll share some of the key takeaways. From these huge studies, we were just on a remote podcast with the great folks over 50, which were based in London, had put out a great Logistics technology, a state of the Logistics technology. But your study. Yes. Yes. Yeah, but they were able to shoot, you know, so much information that digest and they get, you know, to get on these folks and share our top three or four or five take key takeaways. Our audience usually appreciates that. So let’s chat more about that. Yeah, absolutely. Yeah. All right. Those kind of things. But all this stuff. Jim, how can how can our listeners get in touch with you and the AIG team, AIG team?

 

[00:15:33] So we’re on all the social media. Obviously, LinkedIn is a big one for us for our blog posts. But AIG dot org is our Web site. My email address is J. Liegghio l. i.e. g g h i o at AIG dot org. I know that’s a lot of vowels. Apologize for that. But I missed one early. Hopefully you guys are providing a. But yeah. AIG dot org is our web site. We welcome all comers and inquiries. So we have a fantastic marketing department that really tries to put the right messaging out. We have electronic newsletters for our supply chain C.R. and quality every month that go out. And then we have an AIG news brief which covers all areas every month so users can download the Asia-Pacific report now and then we’ll be able to catch that information and agita our mailing list. So electronic by all means is the way to go. I’m on LinkedIn as well, more than I care to admit.

 

[00:16:20] But yeah, I think it’s a great way to stay in touch with industry professionals and students and everything else. So Seattle at LinkedIn, James Liegghio is my name there.

 

[00:16:28] So great guy. Yeah. Cool. Thank you so much. Jerai. Appreciate what you’re doing in industry. Appreciate what you’re doing here in Charleston, South Carolina the next couple days. Appreciate carving out some time with us here on Supply Chain Now Radio. I appreciate you guys being here and enjoy the show. Thanks. All right. Yeah. Thank you. Don’t take off just yet. We’ll wrap up here with a couple of upcoming events. But Jim Lu years, we’ve been talking to program manager Supply chain with the Automotive Industry Action Group. So, as always, want to wrap up this session. First off, we got thank our sponsor, Bo Gruber and the Effective syndicate. They’re doing some really neat things. Stay tuned. We’ve got a big event coming up September 20th, right? That’s right. We do. Uh, we’re gonna be hosted a heck of a view, too. Oh, yeah. From that business, we aren’t all golden, Gregory. Right. Which is a leading law firm in Atlanta. There’s a lot of industry work and across Supply chain and Bo and a colleague and be keynoting an event kind of focused on how companies are are figuring out how to grow successfully in the Amazon.

 

[00:17:23] Right. Right. So we’re going to have a balanced approach. So the other person is a Emory professor and we’re going to talk about strategy and execution. So both pieces, if you’ve got them both. You’re probably going to be successful. And if you only get one of them, you’re probably going to be less so.

 

[00:17:40] Wow. That’s very diplomatic. Gentle. Gentle. Yes.

 

[00:17:44] Well, it is a executive invitation only event, but if you’re interested, you want to shoot bow, an email bow. B.A., you at the effective syndicate dot com and we can follow it that way. Or if you heard something else today. Greg, we’re going be in a lot of a lot of different bits like this in the next few months. Look, my running shoes on. Did you get your running shoes on? So any of the events that we’d talk about would touch on here briefly. You can find on our events tab at Supply Chain Now Radio dot com. But let’s zero in on two real quick.

 

[00:18:13] October 9th, October 9th is a sound. So sorry. The Georgia Manufacturing Summit. Yeah, the Georgia manufacturing alliance. That’s right. So that’s we’re going to have you’re going to actually be hosting a panel session there and we’re gonna be broadcasting live from there as well.

 

[00:18:29] You’re right. So this is it. I didn’t think about this. So Greg’s and me leading some interviews, including with some foreign trade ministers, which we’re going to let out of the bag later on. Secret stuff. Bo is leading a panel session dedicated to OP ex. Right. Continues to prove or disprove it. Nice. And then we’ll be leading a panel. They’re dedicated to trans track across Supply chain. About a thousand people at this at the manufacturing event in Georgia to be at. October 9th. And keynotes from Keith, which cannot that tell you what is selling? Well. Gentlemen, if your fingers on the pulse there. But we’ve heard every tell you about coming off the line here for last several months has already been. Sorry, I’ve got a customer spoken for. That is you guys are hot right now, man. So. Keynote from Keith. Keynote from PMG October 9th. You can learn more at Georgia manufacturing alliance dot com. One other note about this event is Jason Moss. The CEO of the GSA has freed up 50 seats free for our veterans and that is a huge move. Yeah, if any of our veterans are listening, you can register at Georgia manufacturing alliance dot com and use the Code USA a vet and hopefully you’re one of the lucky winners of the 50 seats he’s freed up, which is a tremendous gesture. Yeah. So, Richard. That’s right. And then lastly in Austin. November 7th and 8th. What’s going on there? Yeah. Right.

 

[00:19:50] So that’s the EMT Global Logistics C Lu Summit, November 7th and 8th. Yeah.

 

[00:19:59] It’s, uh, we’re gonna keep it weird in Austin. That’s right. About 300 exhibits in Logistics CEOs mostly, but other insects and Logistics rubbing elbows with solution providers and and each other to jump up early ideas. You it? Yeah. And we all agree great sharing of information.

 

[00:20:19] And we all know how hot Logistics tech freight tech supply chain tech is right now. A lot of money coming in that space because a lot of companies trying to figure things out. Yeah, you can learn more EFC dot com or you can go to our events tab and find out more there. In 2020, you’re gonna be the reverse Logistics Association conference. Next blow out in Vegas in February 2020 and then Moto X 2020. Gemma, I’m not sure if AIG is going to be there. If not, we want to make sure you are there at Mode X 2020. Vetlanta, which is one of the largest supply chain trade shows in North America. Thirty five thousand people. Wow. Okay. What mode X in Atlanta? We build factories in there. Yes. So it was a trade show. Yeah. They’ll fill up the Georgia World Congress Center. And you know what? The cool thing is it’s free to attend. So Modoc show dot.com. We’re broadcasting throughout the four days and you’re holding our 2020 Linda Supply chain awards there as well. OK. Big thanks to Jim and AIG for everything they’re doing here in the next couple of days. We’re excited about the information exchange and networking. And to your point, Jim, the diversity of thought leadership that will be here. Yeah, thanks. A bow group from the effective syndicate to our listeners. Be sure to check out other upcoming events, replays of our interviews, other resources that supply chain now radio dot com. Again, you can find us on Apple podcast, SoundCloud, SoundCloud, all of leading sites where podcasts can be found. Be sure to subscribe to YouTube. That’s right. So don’t miss a thing. That’s right. Fans everywhere. That’s right. On behalf of Greg White, the entire Supply Chain Now Radio team. This is Scott Luton wishing you a wonderful week ahead. And we will see you next time on Supply Chain Now Radio thinks about it.

Kristi Porter

Host, Logistics with Purpose

Kristi Porter is VP of Sales and Marketing at Vector Global Logistics, a company that is changing the world through supply chain. In her role, she oversees all marketing efforts and supports the sales team in doing what they do best. In addition to this role, she is the Chief Do-Gooder at Signify, which assists nonprofits and social impact companies through copywriting and marketing strategy consulting. She has almost 20 years of professional experience, and loves every opportunity to help people do more good.

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Karin Bursa is the 2020 Supply Chain Pro to Know of the Year and the Host of the TEKTOK Digital Supply Chain Podcast powered by Supply Chain Now. With more than 25 years of supply chain and technology expertise (and the scars to prove it), Karin has the heart of a teacher and has helped nearly 1,000 customers transform their businesses and share their success stories. Today, she helps B2B technology companies introduce new products, capture customer success and grow global revenue, market share and profitability. In addition to her recognition as the 2020 Supply Chain Pro to Know of the Year, Karin has also been recognized as a 2019 and 2018 Supply Chain Pro to Know, 2009 Technology Marketing Executive of the Year and a 2008 Women in Technology Finalist. 

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Host, Supply Chain Now en Espanol

Sofia self-identifies as Supply Chain Ambassador, her mission is to advocate for the field and inspire young generations from diverse backgrounds and cultures to join the industry so that thought diversity is increased and change accelerated. Recognized as Linkedin Top Voice and Linkedin Community Top Voice in Supply Chain Management, as well as Emerging Leader in Supply Chain by CSCMP 2024, Top Women in Supply Chain by Supply & Demand Executive 2023, and Coup de Coeur Global Women Leaders in Supply Chain by B2G Consulting in 2021

Public speaker at multiple international events from keynotes and panels, to webinars and guest lectures for bachelor's and master's degrees, discussing topics such as sustainability, women in the industry, technology and innovation. Writer at different online magazines on logistics, supply chain and technology. Podcast host and guest on different recognized programs in the industry. Sofia has more than 5 years of experience from academic research and field studies to warehouse operations, demand planning and network design. She has worked in manufacturing, airport operations, e-commerce retail, and technology hardware across Latin America, North America and Europe

Currently working as Supply Chain Network Design and Optimization Manager at HP within their Global Supply Chain and Logistics team

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Marcia Williams, Managing Partner of USM Supply Chain, has 18 years of experience in Supply Chain, with expertise in optimizing Supply Chain-Finance Planning (S&OP/ IBP) at Large Fast-Growing CPGs for greater profitability and improved cash flows. Marcia has helped mid-sized and large companies including Lindt Chocolates, Hershey, and Coty. She holds an MBA from Michigan State University and a degree in Accounting from Universidad de la Republica, Uruguay (South America). Marcia is also a Forbes Council Contributor based out of New York, and author of the book series Supply Chains with Maria in storytelling style. A recent speaker’s engagement is Marcia TEDx Talk: TEDxMSU - How Supply Chain Impacts You: A Transformational Journey.

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An acknowledged industry leader, Jake Barr now serves as CEO for BlueWorld Supply Chain Consulting, providing support to a cross section of Fortune 500 companies such as Cargill, Caterpillar, Colgate, Dow/Dupont, Firmenich, 3M, Merck, Bayer/Monsanto, Newell Brands, Kimberly Clark, Nestle, PepsiCo, Pfizer, Sanofi, Estee Lauder and Coty among others. He's also devoted time to engagements in public health sector work with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. At P&G, he managed the breakthrough delivery of an E2E (End to End) Planning Transformation effort, creating control towers which now manage the daily business globally. He is recognized as the architect for P&G’s demand driven supply chain strategy – referenced as a “Consumer Driven Supply Chain” transformation. Jake began his career with P&G in Finance in Risk Analysis and then moved into Operations. He has experience in building supply network capability globally through leadership assignments in Asia, Latin America, North America and the Middle East. He currently serves as a Research Associate for MIT; a member of Supply Chain Industry Advisory Council; Member of Gartner’s Supply Chain Think Tank; Consumer Goods “League of Leaders“; and a recipient of the 2015 - 2021 Supply Chain “Pro’s to Know” Award. He has been recognized as a University of Kentucky Fellow.

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Laura Lopez serves as our Supply Chain Now Marketing Coordinator. She graduated from Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Occidente in Mexico with a degree in marketing. Laura loves everything digital because she sees the potential it holds for companies in the marketing industry. Her passion for creativity and thinking outside the box led her to pursue a career in marketing. With experience in fields like accounting, digital marketing, and restaurants, she clearly enjoys taking on challenges. Laura lives the best of both worlds - you'll either catch her hanging out with her friends soaking up the sun in Mexico or flying out to visit her family in California!

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Marty Parker

Host

Marty Parker serves as both the CEO & Founder of Adæpt Advising and an award-winning Senior Lecturer (Teaching Professor) in Supply Chain and Operations Management at the University of Georgia. He has 30 years of experience as a COO, CMO, CSO (Chief Strategy Officer), VP of Operations, VP of Marketing and Process Engineer. He founded and leads UGA’s Supply Chain Advisory Board, serves as the Academic Director of UGA’s Leaders Academy, and serves on multiple company advisory boards including the Trucking Profitability Strategies Conference, Zion Solutions Group and Carlton Creative Company.

Marty enjoys helping people and companies be successful. Through UGA, Marty is passionate about his students, helping them network and find internships and jobs. He does this through several hundred one-on-one zoom meetings each year with his students and former students. Through Adæpt Advising, Marty has organized an excellent team of affiliates that he works with to help companies grow and succeed. He does this by helping c-suite executives improve their skills, develop better leaders, engage their workforce, improve processes, and develop strategic plans with detailed action steps and financial targets. Marty believes that excellence in supply chain management comes from the understanding the intersection of leadership, culture, and technology, working across all parts of the organization to meet customer needs, maximize profit and minimize costs.

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Tandreia Bellamy

Host

Tandreia Bellamy retired as the Vice President of Industrial Engineering for UPS Supply Chain Solutions which included the Global Logistics, Global Freight Forwarding and UPS Freight business units. She was responsible for operations strategy and planning, asset management, forecasting, and technology tool development to optimize sustainable efficiency while driving world class service.

Tandreia held similar positions at the business unit level for Global Logistics and Global Freight forwarding. As the leader of the Global Logistics engineering function, she directed all industrial engineering activies related to distribution, service parts logistics (post-sales support), and mail innovations (low cost, light weight shipping partnership with the USPS). Between these roles Tandreia helped to establish the Advanced Technology Group which was formed to research and develop cutting edge solutions focused on reducing reliance on manual labor.

Tandreia began her career in 1986 as a part-time hourly manual package handling employee. She spent the great majority of her career in the small package business unit which is responsible for the pick-up, sort, transport and delivery of packages domestically. She held various positions in Industrial Engineering, Marketing, Inside and On-road operations in Central Florida before transferring to Atlanta for a position in Corporate Product Development and Corporate Industrial Engineering. Tandreia later held IE leadership roles in Nebraska, Minnesota and Chicago. In her final role in small package she was an IE VP responsible for all aspects of IE, technology support and quality for the 25 states on the western half of the country.
Tandreia is currently a Director for the University of Central Florida (UCF) Foundation Board and also serves on their Dean’s Advisory Board for the College of Engineering and Computer Science. Previously Tandreia served on the Executive Advisory Board for Virginia Tech’s IE Department and the Association for Supply Chain Management. She served on the Board of Trustees for ChildServ (a Chicago child and family services non-profit) and also served on the Texas A&M and Tuskegee Engineering Advisory Boards. In 2006 she was named Business Advisor of the Year by INROADS, in 2009 she was recognized as a Technology All-Star at the Women of Color in STEM conference and in 2019 she honored as a UCF Distinguished Aluma by the Department of Industrial Engineering and Management Systems.

Tandreia holds a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering from Stanford University and a master’s degree in Industrial Engineering and Management Systems from UCF. Her greatest accomplishment, however, is being the proud mother of two college students, Ruby (24) and Anthony (22).

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Billy Taylor

Host

Billy Taylor is a Proven Business Excellence Practitioner and Leadership Guru with over 25 years leading operations for a Fortune 500 company, Goodyear. He is also the CEO of LinkedXL (Excellence), a Business Operating Systems Architecting Firm dedicated to implementing sustainable operating systems that drive sustainable results. Taylor’s achievements in the industry have made him a Next Generational Lean pacesetter with significant contributions.

An American business executive, Taylor has made a name for himself as an innovative and energetic industry professional with an indispensable passion for his craft of operational excellence. His journey started many years ago and has worked with renowned corporations such as The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. (GT) leading multi-site operations. With over 3 decades of service leading North America operations, he is experienced in a deeply rooted process driven approach in customer service, process integrity for sustainability.

A disciple of continuous improvement, Taylor’s love for people inspires commitment to helping others achieve their full potential. He is a dynamic speaker and hosts "The Winning Link," a popular podcast centered on business and leadership excellence with the #1 rated Supply Chain Now Network. As a leadership guru, Taylor has earned several invitations to universities, international conferences, global publications, and the U.S. Army to demonstrate how to achieve and sustain effective results through cultural acceptance and employee ownership. Leveraging the wisdom of his business acumen, strong influence as a speaker and podcaster Taylor is set to release "The Winning Link" book under McGraw Hill publishing in 2022. The book is a how-to manual to help readers understand the management of business interactions while teaching them how to Deine, Align, and Execute Winning in Business.

A servant leader, Taylor, was named by The National Diversity Council as one of the Top 100 Diversity Officers in the country in 2021. He features among Oklahoma's Most Admired CEOs and maintains key leadership roles with the Executive Advisory Board for The Shingo Institute "The Nobel Prize of Operations" and The Association of Manufacturing Excellence (AME); two world-leading organizations for operational excellence, business development, and cultural learning.  He is also an Independent Director for the M-D Building Products Board, a proud American manufacturer of quality products since 1920.

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Allison Giddens

Host

Allison Krache Giddens has been with Win-Tech, a veteran-owned small business and aerospace precision machine shop, for 15 years, recently buying the company from her mentor and Win-Tech’s Founder, Dennis Winslow. She and her business partner, John Hudson now serve as Co-Presidents, leading the 33-year old company through the pandemic.

She holds undergraduate degrees in psychology and criminal justice from the University of Georgia, a Masters in Conflict Management from Kennesaw State University, a Masters in Manufacturing from Georgia Institute of Technology, and a Certificate of Finance from the University of Georgia. She also holds certificates in Google Analytics, event planning, and Cybersecurity Risk Management from Harvard online. Allison founded the Georgia Chapter of Women in Manufacturing and currently serves as Treasurer. She serves on the Chattahoochee Technical College Foundation Board as its Secretary, the liveSAFE Resources Board of Directors as Resource Development Co-Chair, and on the Leadership Cobb Alumni Association Board as Membership Chair and is also a member of Cobb Executive Women. She is on the Board for the Cobb Chamber of Commerce’s Northwest Area Councils. Allison runs The Dave Krache Foundation, a non-profit that helps pay sports fees for local kids in need.

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Sofia Rivas Herrera

Host, Supply Chain Now en Espanol

Sofia Rivas Herrera is a Mexican Industrial Engineer from Tecnologico de Monterrey class 2019. Upon graduation, she earned a scholarship to study MIT’s Graduate Certificate in Logistics and Supply Chain Management and graduated as one of the Top 3 performers of her class in 2020. She also has a multicultural background due to her international academic experiences at Singapore Management University and Kühne Logistics University in Hamburg. Sofia self-identifies as a Supply Chain enthusiast & ambassador sharing her passion for the field in her daily life.

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Kim Reuter

Host

From humble beginnings working the import docks, representing Fortune 500 giants, Ford, Michelin Tire, and Black & Decker; to Amazon technology patent holder and Nordstrom Change Leader, Kimberly Reuter has designed, implemented, and optimized best-in-class, highly scalable global logistics and retail operations all over the world. Kimberly’s ability to set strategic vision supported by bomb-proof processes, built on decades of hands-on experience, has elevated her to legendary status. Sought after by her peers and executives for her intellectual capital and keen insights, Kimberly is a thought leader in the retail logistics industry.

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Katherine Hintz

Creative Director, Producer, Host

Katherine Hintz, MBA is a marketing professional who strives to unite her love of people with a passion for positive experiences. Having a diverse background, which includes nonprofit work with digital marketing and start-ups, she serves as a leader who helps people live their most creative lives by cultivating community, order, collaboration, and respect. With equal parts creativity and analytics, she brings a unique skill set which fosters refining, problem solving, and connecting organizations with their true vision. In her free time, you can usually find her looking for her cup of coffee, playing with her puppy Charlie, and dreaming of her next road trip.

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Vicki White

Controller

Vicki has a long history of rising to challenges and keeping things up and running. First, she supported her family’s multi-million dollar business as controller for 12 years, beginning at the age of 17. Then, she worked as an office manager and controller for a wholesale food broker. But her biggest feat? Serving as the chief executive officer of her household, while her entrepreneur husband travelled the world extensively. She fed, nurtured, chaperoned, and chauffeured three daughters all while running a newsletter publishing business and remaining active in her community as a Stephen’s Minister, Sunday school teacher, school volunteer, licensed realtor and POA Board president (a title she holds to this day). A force to be reckoned with in the office, you might think twice before you meet Vicki on the tennis court! When she’s not keeping the books balanced at Supply Chain Now or playing tennis matches, you can find Vicki spending time with her husband Greg, her 4 fur babies, gardening, cleaning (yes, she loves to clean!) and learning new things.

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Donna Krache

Director of Communications and Executive Producer

Donna Krache is a former CNN executive producer who has won several awards in journalism and communication, including three Peabodys.  She has 30 years’ experience in broadcast and digital journalism. She led the first production team at CNN to convert its show to a digital platform. She has authored many articles for CNN and other media outlets. She taught digital journalism at Georgia State University and Arizona State University. Krache holds a bachelor’s degree in government from the College of William and Mary and a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of New Orleans. She is a serious sports fan who loves the Braves. She is president of the Dave Krache Foundation. Named in honor of her late husband, this non-profit pays fees for kids who want to play sports but whose parents are facing economic challenges.

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Joshua Miranda

Marketing Specialist

Joshua is a student from Institute of Technology and Higher Education of Monterrey Campus Guadalajara in Communication and Digital Media. His experience ranges from Plug and Play México, DearDoc, and Nissan México creating unique social media marketing campaigns and graphics design. Joshua helps to amplify the voice of supply chain here at Supply Chain Now by assisting in graphic design, content creation, asset logistics, and more.  In his free time he likes to read and write short stories as well as watch movies and television series.

Mary Kate Love

VP, Strategy & Operations & Host

Mary Kate Love is currently the VP of Strategy and Operations at Supply Chain Now focused on brand strategy and audience + revenue growth. Mary Kate’s career is a testament to her versatility and innovative spirit: she has experience in start-ups, venture capital, and building innovation initiatives from the ground up: she previously helped lead the build-out of the Supply Chain Innovation Center at Georgia-Pacific and before that, MxD (Manufacturing times Digital): the Department of Defense’s digital manufacturing innovation center. Mary Kate has a passion for taking complicated ideas and turning them into reality: she was one of the first team members at MxD and the first team member at the Supply Chain Innovation Center at Georgia-Pacific.

Mary Kate dedicates her extra time to education and mentorship: she was one of the founding Board Members for Women Influence Chicago and led an initiative for a city-wide job shadow day for young women across Chicago tech companies and was previously on the Board of Directors at St. Laurence High School in Chicago, Young Irish Fellowship Board and the UN Committee for Women. Mary Kate is the founder of National Supply Chain Day and enjoys co-hosting podcasts at Supply Chain Now. Mary Kate is from the south side of Chicago, a mom of two baby boys, and an avid 16-inch softball player. She holds a BS in Political Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

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Katherine Hintz

Director, Customer Experience

Katherine is a marketing professional and MBA candidate who strives to unite her love of people with a passion for positive experiences. Having a diverse background, which includes nonprofit work with digital marketing and start-ups, she serves as a leader who helps people live their most creative lives by cultivating community, order, collaboration, and respect. With equal parts creativity and analytics, she brings a unique skill set which fosters refining, problem solving, and connecting organizations with their true vision. In her free time, you can usually find her looking for her cup of coffee, playing with her puppy Charlie, and dreaming of her next road trip.

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Trisha Cordes

Administrative Assistant

Trisha is new to the supply chain industry – but not to podcasting. She’s an experienced podcast manager and virtual assistant who also happens to have 20 years of experience as an elementary school teacher. It’s safe to say, she’s passionate about helping people, and she lives out that passion every day with the Supply Chain Now team, contributing to scheduling and podcast production.

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Amanda Luton

Vice President, Production

Amanda is a seasoned production and marketing professional with over 20 years of experience across diverse industries, including retail, healthcare, and digital marketing. Throughout her career, she has worked with notable organizations such as Von Maur, Anthropologie, AmericasMart Atlanta, and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Currently, Amanda manages, produces, and develops digital content for Supply Chain Now and its clients, delivering modern, engaging solutions for a wide range of audiences.

A former Vice President of Information Systems and Webmaster on the Board of Directors for APICS Savannah, Amanda also founded and led Magnolia Marketing Group, a successful digital marketing firm. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys experimenting in the kitchen, reading, listening to podcasts, and spending time with her family.

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Mary Kate Soliva

Host, Veteran Voices

Mary Kate Soliva is a veteran of the US Army and cofounder of the Guam Human Rights Initiative. She is currently in the Doctor of Criminal Justice program at Saint Leo University. She is passionate about combating human trafficking and has spent the last decade conducting training for military personnel and the local community.

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Enrique Alvarez

Host of Logistics with Purpose and Supply Chain Now en Español

Enrique serves as Managing Director at Vector Global Logistics and believes we all have a personal responsibility to change the world. He is hard working, relationship minded and pro-active. Enrique trusts that the key to logistics is having a good and responsible team that truly partners with the clients and does whatever is necessary to see them succeed. He is a proud sponsor of Vector’s unique results-based work environment and before venturing into logistics he worked for the Boston Consulting Group (BCG). During his time at BCG, he worked in different industries such as Telecommunications, Energy, Industrial Goods, Building Materials, and Private Banking. His main focus was always on the operations, sales, and supply chain processes, with case focus on, logistics, growth strategy, and cost reduction. Prior to joining BCG, Enrique worked for Grupo Vitro, a Mexican glass manufacturer, for five years holding different positions from sales and logistics manager to supply chain project leader in charge of five warehouses in Colombia.

He has an MBA from The Wharton School of Business and a BS, in Mechanical Engineer from the Technologico de Monterrey in Mexico. Enrique’s passions are soccer and the ocean, and he also enjoys traveling, getting to know new people, and spending time with his wife and two kids, Emma and Enrique.

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Kevin L. Jackson

Host of Digital Transformers

Kevin L. Jackson is a globally recognized Thought Leader, Industry Influencer and Founder/Author of the award winning “Cloud Musings” blog.  He has also been recognized as a “Top 5G Influencer” (Onalytica 2019, Radar 2020), a “Top 50 Global Digital Transformation Thought Leader” (Thinkers 360 2019) and provides strategic consulting and integrated social media services to AT&T, Intel, Broadcom, Ericsson and other leading companies. Mr. Jackson’s commercial experience includes Vice President J.P. Morgan Chase, Worldwide Sales Executive for IBM and SAIC (Engility) Director Cloud Solutions. He has served on teams that have supported digital transformation projects for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the US Intelligence Community.  Kevin’s formal education includes a MS Computer Engineering from Naval Postgraduate School; MA National Security & Strategic Studies from Naval War College; and a BS Aerospace Engineering from the United States Naval Academy. Internationally recognizable firms that have sponsored articles authored by him include CiscoMicrosoft, Citrix and IBM.  Books include “Click to Transform” (Leaders Press, 2020), “Architecting Cloud Computing Solutions” (Packt, 2018), and “Practical Cloud Security: A Cross Industry View” (Taylor & Francis, 2016). He also delivers online training through Tulane UniversityO’Reilly MediaLinkedIn Learning, and Pluralsight.  Mr. Jackson retired from the U.S. Navy in 1994, earning specialties in Space Systems EngineeringCarrier Onboard Delivery Logistics and carrier-based Airborne Early Warning and Control. While active, he also served with the National Reconnaissance Office, Operational Support Office, providing tactical support to Navy and Marine Corps forces worldwide.

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Scott W. Luton

Founder, CEO, & Host

Scott W. Luton is the Founder and CEO of Supply Chain Now, the #1 voice of Supply Chain. Supply Chain Now is an award-winning global digital content platform dedicated to the global supply chain industry and its robust community. At the heart of the platform, is the almost daily Supply Chain Now podcast, which has hit podcast leadership charts in over 60 countries. With over 20 years of extensive experience in the end-to-end supply chain, Scott has become a recognized global thought leader in the industry. His insights have been featured in major publications such as The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and CNN. In 2024, Thinkers360 named him the #1 Global Thought Leader and Supply Chain Influencer. Additionally, Supply & Demand Chain Executive recognized him as a Supply Chain Pro to Know in both 2019 and 2025, and he has also been recognized by RateLinx, ISCEA, and other organizations for his industry leadership. 

Scott is a proud United States Air Force veteran, having served on active duty from 1994 to 2002. Since transitioning to civilian life, he has been committed to supporting the veteran community through various initiatives.

Under Scott's leadership, Supply Chain Now has grown into the premier source of industry insights, offering a variety of content including podcasts, livestreams, webinars, and virtual events that engage a global audience. His passion for fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing continues to drive the platform's success.

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