Supply Chain Now Radio
Episode 184

Episode Summary

In Episode 184, the #SupplyChainCity team of Scott Luton, Will Haraway, and Ben Harris talk about Conference Takeaways, the Cannabis Supply Chain, and More.

Episode Transcript

[00:00:05] It’s time for Supply Chain Now Radio. Broadcasting live from Supply chain capital of the country, Atlanta, Georgia. Supply chain. Now radio spotlights the best in all things supply chain the people, the technology, the best practices and the critical issues of the day. And now here are your hosts.

 

[00:00:29] Hey, good afternoon. Scott Luton here with you. Libelled Supply Chain Now Radio. Welcome back to the show. On today’s show, we’re gonna be continuing our Supply chain City series where we dive into a variety supply chain stories with roots right here in Atlanta. But regardless where you live, work or play, we’re gonna be offering news, ideas, best practices, some of the neatest stories taking place in the global world of India in Supply chain. Like all of our series and Supply Chain Now Radio, you can find our replays on a variety channels Apple podcasts, SoundCloud, YouTube, wherever else you get your podcast from, as always. We would love to have you subscribe Siegelman’s anything. Let’s thank all of our sponsors, those that allow us to bring this information and content to you. Verusen. The Effective syndicate. Vector Global Logistics. Supplychainrealestate.com. And many more. You can check out our sponsors on the show notes of this episode, OK. It feels like Groundhog Day, but we’re gonna welcome. We’re going to bring in our my fearless co-hosts on today’s show. First off, Ben Harris, director, Supply chain Ecosystem Expansion with the Metro Atlanta Chamber Band. How you doing?

 

[00:01:34] Doing well, Scott. How are you doing?

 

[00:01:36] Fantastic. Great to have you back. It’s been a while, but looking forward to kind of seeing what you’ve been up to as well as you got some great stories that I think will be interesting to R Supply chain our global supply chain audience. Yeah, it’s good to be back. You bet. And we’ll. HIRWAY Founder, chief evangelist with backbeat marketing whichwill How are you doing? Hey, doing good, buddy. Great to have you back. And you’ve been out west.

 

[00:02:01] Have been. Yes, going out west today. Appreciate me as one, Zebo. And I’d say you’re a big out west. Yeah, that’s right.

 

[00:02:09] Well, so that’s really where we’ll start. You know, it’s been at least a few weeks or in some cases, you know, a month or so. Sanjar both in the studio. We’re doing to our Supply chain City series. Let’s give our audience update of your recent adventures and we’ll start with you. So at West means what?

 

[00:02:26] Yeah, we’re not to see SCMP, the annual conference for us. You know, this year it was in Anaheim. You know, it kind of goes in between Anaheim and Nashville and Orlando and Chicago and Atlanta. And this year was in Anaheim, right in the shadow of Disneyland. But it’s it’s honestly my favorite supply chain conference to go to all of them. And it’s because it’s so it’s just I mean, much like ourselves and Supply chain City and I. And our podcasts, Seno Supply Chain Now Radio, it’s so focused on that particular segment. I mean, it really is sort of like old home week in a way. You see people that you know, that I’ve worked with. Going back to, you know, my mom, my first, you know, dealings with Manhart Associates and on, you know. So it’s fun to see you get industry analysts, you get media, you get pretty much every player you can think of that. And I would say that over the years, the infusion of the new digital freight companies, particularly Uber freight in convoy. You know, know we had Kiersten in here. You know, about a month ago, I didn’t see her there, but I saw a lot of the guys on her team. She should have. She is a incredible speaker. Yes. And I’ll make sure you do this thing next year. I just didn’t find her. But, you know, that infusion of youth and an enthusiasm has really helped that conference and probably a lot of these conferences, honestly, because. And it and it’s sort of pushing like the S.H. Robinsons in the world. I mean, they have sort of updated their their marketing and their their, you know, their messaging to let people know like, hey, we can do this stuff, too, not just because we’re the old warhorse in the industry. But it was inspiring and great. And we had no clients there. And it was obviously the weather was gorgeous and they did a really good job with it. And, you know, saw Dave Maddox hang out with them quite a bit at the food truck people. And yeah, he’s good people. Yeah.

 

[00:04:29] He didn’t write for our listeners. Dave Mattox leads the Atlanta chapter of the CSC NDP roundtable and he’s been present now apart for three or four years. And he is great. People are doing some really neat things here in metro Atlanta. And Will, I don’t have the dates in front me, but I think we’ve got some key takeaway interviews set up in the next few weeks, right?

 

[00:04:48] Yeah. Yeah.

 

[00:04:49] Here next Wednesday, we’re going to talk to four different companies that we’re at. See SCMP and kind of get their sights and sounds because it’s one thing for me to say it. It’s. It’s another thing to hear from companies that were presenting and get an idea of, you know, certainly some of the conversations they had, some of the sales activity they had some of the media. So, yeah, we’re going to talk to Archie Hub, which is a new asset base, digital freight forwarder along that, you know, sort of a competitive convoy. So that’d be interesting to get their perspective. They actually launched there. We’ll talk to our friends Resilience 360. They were they were on hand. It’s actually really cool because that company in particular is it is great to show. It shows well, because they put up a big screen and it shows all the disruptions that are happening in the world that at any given time and at the time, as the whatever that was three weeks ago, Humberto was sort of bearing down on the, you know, as the latest hurricane on the in the Caribbean.

 

[00:05:47] And so you could see it and where they were predicting it to go and, you know, with it end and how it was affecting give it industries and you could see it on the screen. I think just visualizing that was was pretty interesting for attendees, but talking to them and talking to Bluejay, you know, not another one of the Supply chain transportation companies.

 

[00:06:09] And we’ll be talking to them, too. So it’s gonna be fun. I’m glad we’re able to do that. Would be a kind of a SEUS.

 

[00:06:15] Impey Recap sights and sounds kind of second helping. All right. Good stuff. Well, all right, Ben. So Will’s been busy these last three or four weeks for sure. How about yourself?

 

[00:06:25] Yeah. Guess who’s up in Boston at the Adva Med? They do a med tech conference. They do several often comments. But this is one of their largest and really devoted specifically to medtech and really that industry and in real. And to be even more specific, it’s more so on the medical device side, which of course, as we know from a supply chain standpoint, it’s been the entire conference. You don’t really you don’t go expecting it to be a supply chain Sheer. You know, you think about what all goes on in health care and medical device and so forth. But really, I think Supply chain was at the center of almost everything at the show. And Cash, I must have talked to every piece of the supply chain there as far as stakeholders and so forth. It was just really interesting to talk about, you know, from the actual the idea you had a lot of different, you know, venture capitalists out there, a lot of companies that were venture capital backed and so forth. You know, they’re looking for additional funding, different series and so forth. And just to look at their products and actually to experience, you know, some of their products. And then, you know, they had a lot of questions about, you know, how do we get to market on that stuff? And that’s what was really interesting, is taking it from the idea to actually put together the product itself. But then also actually getting it in the consumer’s hands to help them. And really, it was just amazing to see the amount of resources that are devoted to medtech like that for Supply chain.

 

[00:07:44] And it was really mind-blowing to me that just how many companies were out there. There are a lot of companies that were right, that were represented, that were they have a big presence in Georgia. Also, ResMed was out there. The CEO had a great conversation with him. They’ve got a pretty big manufacturing distribution operation here in metro Atlanta. And then a couple other companies, Stryker, which you guys might know, your knee replacements, your hip replacements and so forth. I mean, they’ve they’re it, you know, when it comes to that. And they had they had one of their guys there actually just they just made a big investment in an innovation hub, Atlanta, with Emory. So really excited for them to talk about that on a stage in front of a hundred plus people. They had a very sophisticated supply chain strike. They do. I do think they were Manhatten associate. They were. I estimate one way. I guess they still are. But yeah, really, really fun. A lot of fun companies that were out there. And it was just great to talk about, you know, from contract research organizations or CROI, as they’re called, all the way up to, you know, people do they’re doing you’re doing door deliveries like u._p._s is in your FedEx. I actually didn’t have a good FedEx contact until last week on the health care side. So I made a really good connection with their V.P. of health care. They’re so nice. Great. Great conference overall.

 

[00:08:57] You know, we I’ve exchanged couple notes with one of the other big carriers and their health care division. And we don’t talk enough about the health care Supply chain want the book a future episode. Yeah, I’ve been deeper on that because at that time, like every every different sector supply chain, there’s some or some unique HNIs about the health care supply chain that probably doesn’t give enough visibility.

 

[00:09:19] Or you could just come to my panel discussion tomorrow at George BIO’s.

 

[00:09:22] Look at that. Was so smooth.

 

[00:09:25] Been for those for those of you listening. That was not set up intentionally, I guess. And now we’ve been talking about, you know, summit that has been coming up for a while now. You know, as far as things that, you know, upcoming events that we talk about. But yeah, tomorrow is finally the day for Georgia BIO’s Summit. So we’re doing a little little panel discussion actually on Georgia assets as what we’re calling. Okay. It’s really more about the supply chain stakeholders within the industry. So I think we should do a little while redux maybe and maybe invite some of those guest back here and we could do to our own session talk about them.

 

[00:09:54] Let’s do it. We’ll make that happen. We’ve already got some dates booked for November and December for the. Sin City series may well add some bonus episodes. Great topics. OK, so the other news that I know we’re all aware that we’re all excited about, we just we continue to get kind of build the engine for the 2020 Atlanta Supply chain Awards. Yes, sir. It’s been a long work in progress. All right. Well, we tried to we’re trying to capitalize on the momentum and the success in the first year, right? Yeah. Which was just as it seemed like it just happened. Right. But we’re in position now this week to be publishing a new Web site, kind of a new brand, a new positioning of the event. We’re going a little bit bigger. We were adding more room and we sold out of seats last year. And a little more room. We’ve got a new partner with Moto X 2020, which will be serving as our host. We’ve got some new award categories, including the A Reverse Logistics Excellence Award.

 

[00:10:50] We’ve already confirmed that the reverse Logistics Association will be a partner once once again. Tony Tony Sciarrotta. That’s right. And talk about components of the Indian supply chain. It doesn’t give them visibility yet. Return side and reverse Logistics. You know, we’re doing our best to spotlight that that component more, more and been we’ve got thanks to you and the Metro Atlanta Chamber, we’ve got two exceptional participants between a keynote and MSDS. So tell us more about those.

 

[00:11:19] Yeah. So I actually just. Was it yesterday, Scott, that we confirmed Shane Cooper, who’s actually with a Vetlanta Center for Progress? I get that right. Atlanta Committee for Program LANTA. Committee for Progress. Thank you, sir. And she was actually folie with West Rod. I think she was like vice president there of transformation for them for a little while. Had a couple different supply chain related roles even previous to that. So extremely excited about SHANN joining us. She’s a she’s a phenomenal speaker, been a friend of the chamber for a long time. I have not had the pleasure of meeting SHANN directly. Yes, I’m really looking forward. I think we’re gonna take her lunch here soon enough, Scott, and get to know her a little bit better before before that. So, yeah, we’re very excited about confirming here. Then we also have one other guest.

 

[00:12:03] Let me late, but just a second. Go ahead. So not only was SHANN, the chief transformation officer at West Rock, but prior to that where I where she first hit my radar, no pun intended, where it is, where she’s led as a senior executive, Lockheed Martin facility. Yes. Wrote yes. Where they manufacture the the Hercules yet, which is the longest running military aircraft aviation product line in history here in the States. So great speaker. What a rich background that she has in Supply chain manufacturing, you name it. So they get her. And she’s also doing some neat things with her current role where she’s leading. She’s serving as executive director with the Atlanta Committee for Progress, which is helping to make business happen here in metro Atlanta. So excited about that. Sorry. Ahead to this. This is our latest breaking development. And ever since that came across e-mail over the weekend, that’s really just been space. All really excited, right?

 

[00:13:04] Yeah, absolutely. And that’s not our only other speaker that we just confirmed. Also, we’ve got one other from a pretty big lofty position ever. GP I’m not gonna steal your thunder sky, but I’ll I’ll let you make the announcement.

 

[00:13:16] Appreciate that. Christy Fisher, president and CEO with Georgia Pacific LLC really excited about a Christian joining us as keynote. We saw, of course, Christian was a keynote during the 2018 George Logistics summit and was well-received as part of one of many presentations he’s been asked to make over the years. But great story. You know, if we’re going to celebrate the metro Atlanta in the end, Supply chain successes as this outstanding to partner with some iconic brands that are headquartered right here in the city. So to have Christian Fisher, you know, the fearless leader of Georgia-Pacific join us as Keynote and Shane Cooper, what two big names to get to that our audience will be looking forward to hearing from you.

 

[00:13:57] I’m gonna say, in addition to your comments to Scott, it really complements well what we did last year around content. We talked about the fireside chat with Kevin Heath, of course, the chief procurement officer for GPE at him and also the leader who has started the point, a search for Supply chain innovation. So we’re lucky enough to have Kevin last year. And also Daria Farooqi was kind of at audible. We call them the reha kind of stand up. And I think that was one the highlights of the entire program was having her Israel, who’s she is now a fruit for your listeners out there who don’t know Daria. Daria Farooqi is the president of B Point A Center for Supply chain Innovation. So that was one of our big key themes last year around innovation. So we’re very excited to have them back. And we’re going to be talking about another fun announcement also that we’re going to a will tease now. I don’t want to steal thunder, but there should be a pretty big announcement for around around g.p actually at the event. So stay tuned for more details on that.

 

[00:14:51] Outstanding. So big thanks to SHANN and Christian and their teams, of course, for joining forces on our 2010 Atlanta Supply chain Awards. And, of course. Great. Great department with that. But marketing is a big part of the effort, and the reason that we founded this initiative first place is to, you know, spotlight and amplify all the different people in the companies and technologies, innovations that yet are the story here. Right. And the Supply chain City. So looking forward to that March 10th, 2020 and registration nominations, everything will be opening in the next few days before you know it. It sure will. OK. So moving right along, we can talk about that till the cows come home. I’m sure our listeners Veridian. Some say registration is not open, but hey. Go ahead. Mark your calendar. Right. March step. All right. So let let’s get to the red meat of today’s podcast and today’s episode. It’s always great to have Will. Well, I think you’re you’re an economist at heart, you know? Yes. You’ve got your finger on the pulse when it comes to trade and Sheer tariffs. And let’s dive into some updates there.

 

[00:15:57] Yeah. The latest is that the United States and Japan agreed to a limited free trade agreement last, let’s say, on the 25th. It’s been a couple of weeks, actually, but we haven’t touched on it yet. So we’re reducing tariffs on 42 different lines for over 40 million dollars of agricultural imports, both coming to Japan from us and from Japan here.

 

[00:16:23] And that’s going to eliminate some of the pressures on on on farmers on in both countries. It was really just. We know that in the U.S. it’s ethanol, beef and pork, wheat and barley, wine, soybeans that will now receive preferential tariff access. And so so that’s helpful to those guys. They have really been squeezed this year as far as fund profits due to some of these pressures. It’s one of the many stories that we don’t think we’ve touched on the farmers yet. But but but those are the one of the many stories have been affected by this by this trade war that’s been going on.

 

[00:17:02] And there’s the other thing is that they have lifted really the threat of auto tariff socialism, which is a major you know, a major sticking point, obviously, for Japan, considering just how much business they do here in America. And the plan was, well, you know, we want to yeah, we want to see a little tit for tat back and forth. You know, back back into Japan. But but they’ve never read the tape. They’ve agreed to table those discussions for now.

 

[00:17:28] So, so good news for the farmers and for the auto industry, for both for both countries. There’s so much going on now. I’ll talk with Albert Sorto, who’s gonna be leading a panel this Wednesday at the Georgia Manufacturing Summit on global trade and tariffs and some things going on there. But, you know, while there is plenty of negativity and issues that are slowing business down there, still a lot of really neat stories in an aggressive collaboration going on in light of this trade. Yeah, we need more certainty. Right. We need to get some these issues settled, right? Yes, for sure.

 

[00:18:02] But what’s interesting is just along what you’re saying is that it is causing people to take a deeper look on how to be more efficient and how to find find more profits within their company, like within agricultural. Just to touch on that. It’s specifically there are companies like native ag tech. You know, up in Brooklyn. And what they do is they they track when you plant a particular crop. They can track it from seed to sale. So it’s awesome, you know. So it just gives more visibility. It gives a grocery store. They understand where these crops are coming from, what they’ve gone through, you know. Have they gone to any weird weather patterns that have been droughts, you know, et cetera? Where exactly in the country it came from? You know, how close is it to me? Those steps, as I’d say. So it’s bringing some of the supply chain stuff that we talk about all the time with with the, you know, consumer products. But bringing it I mean, seed to sale to to the agricultural community, which again, as you know, Martin hasn’t had to be a sophisticated with this type of data until, you know, sort of in this way being forced to look at some different ways to try and find some efficiencies driving you drama, innovation and trying to capture efficiencies, how however we can.

 

[00:19:11] And in this complex global market, which has as some has some winds taking place that we that we hope are settled soon. Speaking at companies that are getting creative in light of some of the complexity of doing global business will know one of the companies on your radar is Bed, Bath and Beyond. Right.

 

[00:19:32] Yeah. I mean, that was again, I think this is exactly what we’re talking about. You’re looking at a company that Bed Bath Beyond. They’re looking to cut $1 billion in inventory out of their supply chain and at closing, what was it I believe is a 60, 60 stores.

 

[00:19:49] Initially, I think they were planning for 40 and gave up that 60.

 

[00:19:52] Right. And, you know, they’re going to do that within the next 18 months. You know, they. They already reported a hundred and ninety four million write down in the second quarter. So but but they’re looking to become more lean, you know, more efficient use. Use the stores that they have as distribution centers. A lot of the things that we’ve talked about on on on the show here in the past. I mean, this is again, you’re looking at a company that’s that’s pulling out all the stops to use technology to to to find some different ways to be successful.

 

[00:20:27] Yeah. And I think I saw that article in Supply chain Dobb. They speaking technology, they reference something called. And Malcolm went at The Shootist Note like a markdown optimization package Sheer that they were using to figure out how they can they can get rid of some of this dead inventory. You know, what was the right mark downs was right arms to mark down how much these kind of factors that will help them get rid of some of this excess inventory? That’s right. The other thing, interesting thing about that story that I read was how they are so much of their their in-house brand is source indirectly. So there’s a lot of middle companies. Right. Intermediary aspects there, supply chain. And they’re looking to procure that differently, which will you know, there’s some huge margin opportunities. So, you know, the devil’s in the details. It’s one thing to identify these opportunities and, you know, plan build your game plan. But man, talk about the Supply chain practicioners part of the Bed, Bath and Beyond team that I can be execute on these huge, massive projects.

 

[00:21:36] Want to work for sure. That’s a different kind of lean to when you’ve got one thing, you know, from an assets standpoint or stores and inventory, you going to get lean there for sure. But also from an operational standpoint with just pricing and margins mean they’re razor thin for retail as it is. Right. So there’s still some stuff that’s kind of built in there that they have really taken advantage of. And yeah, that’s a great place to start. So good for them to do for doing that.

 

[00:21:58] And it looks like they’re trying to do more importing as well, which is interesting because just like you said with some of those, you know, private label things, private label inventory that just sort of sits around, you know, and becomes that that that access enjoy that they don’t need they can use imported to sort of mix and match and figure out to patch some of the holes and and in order as they need on demand.

 

[00:22:20] You know, and to our listeners, whether you’re listen to this live or you’re listening to this on the replay, if you have any if you’re working at a company, retail or otherwise, and you all have kicked off some some creative ways of finding efficiencies here. And, you know, as we are in the last few months, 20, 19, shoot us a note. We’d love to talk shop with you. Please connect at Supply Chain Now Radio dot com. We’d love to kind of see what other teams are doing. You know, every company doesn’t have their their plan published like Bed Bath Miyata has had here. But, you know, it’s it’s a tough time for for a lot of folks in the global business environment. Okay. So that was the big bathmat and we should give a shout out supply chain dive. Great. Yeah, great stories that they’ve got their finger on the pulse over there. All right. So, Ben, let’s bring you back into the conversation. Let’s talk about U.P.S. and some big news that came out this past week or so.

 

[00:23:18] And I think he’d had to be living under a rock at this point. If you hear about this stuff with u._p._s. They just secured a milestone FAA approval for drone deliveries just now. So they received FAA part 135 135 certification, which allows the company to deliver goods anywhere in the country beyond line of sight and at night. So using Maton its drones and operating as a drone airline, quote unquote, U.P.S. is now permit to operate an unlimited amount of drones with an unlimited number of remote operators. So the unlimited being the key word there. That’s that’s the big difference for Sheer here. So really big deal for them. And I think, you know, it’s one of those things where there’s all these different startup companies that have been in the drone space for a long time, especially Silicon Valley, you know, and everybody’s got this cool idea for a drone. They’re kind of, you know, operating them, you know, one off here, one off there. And there’s which is great. But, you know, it’s almost like you get the big kids kind of table now. And that’s when you see big change when it comes to policy is when companies like U.P.S. take notice and they can really throw their weight around to get things like this done. So hats off to them. You know, for for being, you know, in the space early on, working with folks at the FAA to get this done. I mean, it’s one thing to engage them later in the process. But, you know, they’re talking about at the design level. They’ve been instrumental in the process of, you know, Froome from day one with u._p._s. And that’s the reason you’re seeing this, the certification, this point.

 

[00:24:58] That’s another now. We’ve got the green light. All right. For green light for takeoff, it’ll be really interesting to see how this goes into action. So we’ll stay tuned. What do a fallout report own on this really big news and how it continues to push on the local industry 4.0, which is happening right now? It’s been happening. So looking forward to seeing what UBS does with this this clearance. Now staying in the shipping space here. So there we go. Yeah. Let’s talk about DHL a bit.

 

[00:25:28] Well, and we as we talked about, you know, big mergers and big, big changes and also companies announcing big changes. You know, some companies don’t do that. But to Will’s point earlier, you know, at Bed Bath Beyond, the way they did what used to be DHL, which is now DP, DHL, after their merger with DP World, they unveiled that they are going to spend two billion euros in digital age git digitization, investments, asar or digitalization. Right. I mean, everybody says one that’s different. So, yeah, shame on me for botching that. But so, yeah, as part of a six year plan, DHL will deploy again two billion euros into warehouse automation tools, modernizing I.T. systems for them, routing optimization, Internet of Things, employee reskilling and more. So big, big investment for them. It should be it should be anything. You know, of course, the you know the details as is what’s very interesting there. So it’ll be exciting to see how that kind of comes to be and where they really make a lot of investments. Good for them. I think there’s just the amount of pressure on these companies to to move quickly and to make, you know, big investments like this. I think it’s a great move.

 

[00:26:36] Yeah. Speaking of technology, Logistics, one of the things we covered yesterday or this morning on the Supply chain buzz is counrty. Logistics came out with a research piece that it did in partnership with a third party marketing firm, research marketing firm. And they evaluated 13 different activities that go on in the Logistics space trying to figure out what’s the right balance between technology and humans. And that ratio that came out, which their research supported the 60 40, 60 on the technology side. But 40 percent of these activities really required that hands on that human element, the expertise, the experience factor. So be interesting. See kind of how how that story and how that research kind of this is disseminated out in industry and getting folks take. You know, I think for some companies, especially with this level investment we’re seeing across the board, you know, it might be 90 percent technology. I don’t know. It seems like for me it seems like the problem saw some of the problem solving, some of the putting out the fires. That just is part of making supply chain happen now that there’s not. Of course, as a technology play there. But I think that’s where I’m seeing that strong need for for human leadership, human interaction.

 

[00:27:49] Yeah, I was gonna say that. I mean, it’s for things that are you know, it’s always the automation vs., you know, kind of A.I. type tradeoff that you have there. You forget things that need you still you still need people to make choices. You know, there’s no decision making machines out there that if it’s programmed to do one way and it’ll it’ll adapt to to make different decisions based on certain things. But at the end of day, you still need humans do certain things also. That’s why, you know, a lot of there’s, you know, material handling Quinn. We talk about caillebotte’s and things like that. The reason they are caillebotte’s because they assist humans in those in that way. And I think that’s where we’re seeing a lot more investment. Investment is in the Kobol space as opposed to just straight automation when it comes to them.

 

[00:28:34] Well, you know, the thoughts are.

 

[00:28:35] I mean, that’s that you’re seeing that here in Atlanta, you know as well with, you know, the Air France front, friends of the show, Great Orange. You know, they they have technology that runs better, those gadgets as far as the kolbert’s and and the actual robots.

 

[00:28:52] So that’s that, you know, just to bring it back to one of team one. Yeah.

 

[00:28:59] Oh. Or if you’re operating a drone, you know, that was part of the announcement. U.P.S. is, you know, the drone operators themselves also in remote locations. So while they’re not, you know, inside the drone themselves, they’re they’re inside some, you know, somewhere controlling that. So, you know, it means it’s just gonna be a reskilling, if you will, of of what people are doing and how they’re doing it. And, you know, you’ll see some of those other much more menial tasks kind of go away. And that’s that’s that’s where I think robots and automation can really help.

 

[00:29:26] Yeah. So we didn’t really focus on this in the pre-show. But I know one of the things we want to talk about day is a kind of a supply chain. And I think we were talking about a recent article Steve Banker came out with right on the cannabis supply chain. Do we want to dive into that now or any any cover this now. I’m going on a curve ball. I’m gay. Hey, it’s the Braves card game for being at a curve ball. That’s right. Well, you know what was funny? And we’ll. I’m not not dwell on your misery. We’ve been there. The Braves haven’t won a playoff game playoff series since 2001.

 

[00:30:02] So what is wrong? I like your chances with being a Cardinals fan right now. Well, so, yeah, we’ll be lucky if you’re out. But also won. Well, you also admitted that it was the better team. You are an Atlanta Braves, but you know what better teamone always win.

 

[00:30:17] We are as. But we have the postseason history, man.

 

[00:30:21] You know, it always happens so we can go deal. It’s funny. Is it good?

 

[00:30:28] Well, earlier we were talking at the bit and we were talking about and I’m dying to talk sports right now, too. But, you know, talking about marijuana isn’t all that bad.

 

[00:30:35] You all right? So we’ll see. What’s funny about this is, you know, what will produce this and publish this episode? You know, a week and a half from now. And one of us is going to be, you know, either false hope or hate. The best is yet to come. Who knows how it plays out. I wish I had a crystal ball, but nevertheless. What? What a incredible couple. A three, three games a year, a late ending, late game heroics. And we’ll see what they’ve been heart wrenching and torturous.

 

[00:31:03] But if you’re not that bad, if you’re not like dad into it, they you know, if you’re just a baseball fan and was great baseball.

 

[00:31:10] Oh, yeah. I mean, it’s the playoffs. It’s just a different level of detail. It’s true coaching that goes on in the playoffs and that, you know, the season, you kind of have some of those games like, you know what that was, that it really work out, too. We’ll just get him next time.

 

[00:31:25] Get him new Miura. It’s not like that. The playoffs. I like that today, at least for the cards. Can’t get an MRI again today. It’s right.

 

[00:31:31] We’ll see what happens. All right. So let’s let’s let’s use this last segment of our of our episode here. And let’s talk about the marijuana supply chain of cannabis supply chain. It’s it’s it’s blowing up. Right. And we’re we’re seeing regulations ease up a little bit. We’ve covered that on past shows. We’ve seen an industry that is seeking out and hiring some some outstanding supply chain talent. Right. As the business prospects of growing a business in this in this specific, specific industry, really, you are are getting much more optimistic, right? Yeah. So Steve Banker came out with this Forbes article entitled The Marijuana Supply chain is home delivery next. So let’s get some initial thoughts on this article and the industry and who let me go first.

 

[00:32:21] Well, I think there’s still there’s some challenges to start with, you know, that with marijuana. And first of all, it’s still illegal from a federal standpoint. So that creates a little bit of problems, you know, when you start moving things across state line. Right. You know, you’ve got the Commerce Commission and whoever else that says you can’t do that. Exactly. Say it anytime. You know, in Colorado or California or wherever, the feds can go in there and just bust these guys up almost any time. I mean, yes, some things don’t hold necessarily, but it still is there’s disruption that causes doubt and disruption.

 

[00:32:55] So what’s interesting, some of the Sunda back-channel confidential conversations I’ve had with these these these national firms that are in this industry is as a hyper practical, no nonsense, supply chain talent. They’re ready to make stuff happen. But some of the regulations that still exist, they can’t you know, you can’t get a LTL shipment from Mexico or New Mexico to South Carolina. It’s not that you got to feel your way through it. So it’s really interesting to see that kind of old school make it happen. Supply chain expertise with this industry that’s got so many nuances right now still.

 

[00:33:33] Yeah. Well, there’s also this is a blessing and a curse for marijuana. Folks in the marijuana trade and industry is that, you know, unlike fruits and vegetables, there’s really, you know, marijuana can be grown year round in a controlled environment. So there really is no peak season per say like you would have, you know, with the fruit vegetable trade all the time. We know where you have kind of the season and you, you know, when it’s coming and so forth. But that makes things tough from a supply and demand.

 

[00:34:01] Everyone fishes on tour. Yeah. Yes. He did. By the man planning. All right. So, Will, I know you’re your don to weigh in here, but many jerai. Yeah. What’s your what’s your take? Give it. Give us give us soil.

 

[00:34:14] It’s funny that you were talking about the as supply chain professionals are coming into the space. It’s still a relatively unsophisticated methods that are being used. I mean, there’s I mean, there’s people are still using faxes, you know, to to help move to help move shipments in and make forecasting predictions. And. But you’re obviously going to see that at one of the things I found interesting was there’s a company called the the the salesforce.com of Bud.

 

[00:34:45] You know, or if wheat, whatever you want to know, McClay, what’s the name of the company? They’re called Leaf Link leafletting like that. Get it? Their scottoline.

 

[00:34:54] I’m usually so slow to the Greene. I go out with you. I’m with you.

 

[00:34:58] Well, and it’s it’s basically just a CRM for weed companies, you know, and all all the things that you’re talking about that’s lost, you know, with the pull downs that have to do with the fact that, you know, different regulations for different states and, you know, the the the diff-, you know, where you can ship and where you can’t and how you can ship it.

 

[00:35:21] And you know how you check for her permitting. Yeah. Yeah. Vary state by state, obviously. So. So I think that’s really interesting that you see somebody like literally Taylor and but but you’ve seen it across every industry. So it makes total sense. It’s just you know, you got to it just maybe just because it’s marijuana, it’s it’s it makes a little bit more high profile when these things happen in a little funny, you know?

 

[00:35:45] Nathan Leaf link, that’s not a bad a name for a company in the marijuana space.

 

[00:35:51] So let’s get to Steve’s question here. Home delivery, is that on the immediate horizon? What do we think? If you had to look in too deep into your crystal ball, Ben, is this is this what’s around the corner?

 

[00:36:05] I think it’s going to take a little while. I mean, we you look at home delivery right now and you’ve got companies that, you know, are trying to do it right now. Look at Instacart and software. Then they’re you know, it’s they’re doing OK. They’re not making money hand over fist, you know, but they’re they’re doing pretty well in the space. But a lot of times, you know, people, you know, are more opportunistic when they buy things like that. Like I think Steve talked about, you know, if we had to compare an industry with a marijuana trade, talked about alcohol. Right. And, you know, people don’t just go, I’d like a 12 pack delivered to my house. You know, per say, they usually just go get.

 

[00:36:42] That’s when those things just go to the grocery store or the liquor store and you go purchase it. And that’s how it works right now with dispensaries. Southwire going in Colorado. That’s for sure. Yeah. Well, what would you. Well, you had a great standing as far as the amount of dispensaries. There are three times as many dispensaries in Colorado as there are Starbucks. Wow.

 

[00:37:00] You know, that is it is a season to wrap your head around. Yeah. You know, in terms of because everyone can draw from, you know, think of your neighborhood and how many Starbucks you pass this, especially in a city like Atlanta. Yeah. Here’s an amazing stat. Yeah. Holy cow.

 

[00:37:18] They usually have a dispensary right next to the Dunkin Donuts doing that. I don’t know why that would be one that Iraq could put them right next, which I have been struggling so bad.

 

[00:37:26] Maybe outside that could be out there. Maybe it enhances performance. We’re going to learn all kinds of things. Oh, gosh. Nice ballpark. There it is. It sure is. All right.

 

[00:37:39] So any any other thoughts when it comes to standing up the industry, when it comes to the legality and also say, you know, we talked about, you know, kind of market drivers that are that can negatively affect the market, too, is you’ve got the black market still out there also. So we’re talking about legally trading marijuana right now. You know, the legal market for but there’s black market is always going to be there also. And it’s actually pretty profitable, I think. I had actually heard in Canada, you know, when they announced that nationwide that it was basically legal all. And one day I was actually in Toronto, you know, a time when they made the announcement.

 

[00:38:16] I didn’t partake say, but I thought it was really it was fun to be there and then passed on the grass. It did pass on the grass that day. But it was interesting just to just to see, you know, what would happen basically once it does, especially when something we talk about overnight and big change like that. I mean, that is a huge shock to supply and demand for a place over an entire country of that size to just say, oh, yeah, that’s so candidates who they just say.

 

[00:38:42] Go right ahead. You can do it. That’s a really bad idea. Canadian. Maybe it’s.

 

[00:38:50] But yeah. So. So but I think the the tendency there though is still the black market was still even though it was literally legal there. Yeah. Yet the black market is still is what dominates that market. Mm hmm. Which is just fascinating to me that I thought you’d think that people would be like, oh, I can just go get it for legally down the road, Spencer. But they can still get it cheaper and easier on the black market.

 

[00:39:12] It’s still got that. They’ve still got that one cousin. Yeah. So speaking of legal marijuana, currently, as STF cites his article, fully legal in 11 states plus Washington, D.C., but also he mentioned CBD oil, which is sold in 28 states. I think that the latter CBD, all including Georgia now heading here is right. Yeah.

 

[00:39:36] I think we’ve talked about on this show previous episodes, I’ve I’ve had some about job, but I’ve had some some folks I know well that have really used some of the cannabis treatments, especially with epaulette epileptic condition, not for their children. Right. And up up until recently, I don’t think you could get that in in Georgia, sort of. Folks are moving to different, different states. I think that that is one wrinkle in all of this or not wrinkle, but one aspect of all this that that I think a lot of folks maybe. You know, certainly I didn’t. It was on my radar, too. I kind of had these personnal interactions. I think that is this is this really important topic that most folks may not think about when I think of the legalization or the deregulation of the marijuana industry, you know. Right. There’s some really I mean, beyond the you know, the where most people’s minds go to, which is a recreational use, maybe there are some serious applications for related products that especially with very positive Kisha life changing and mental emotional support.

 

[00:40:43] I mean, there there there are a number of different applications beyond just the straight medical ones. That’s right. That those factors are going to have to be considered.

 

[00:40:52] Now, let’s see. Very good point there, Scott. And I think that’s where that’s why you see 28 states as opposed to 11 that have, you know, that are granted the CBD and the things that are, you know, really, really have a true, profound, you know, effect on people’s lives. And that’s that’s what’s been really exciting about, you know, some of the efforts here.

 

[00:41:11] So do you think that native ag tech was at the name of the company? Uh-Huh. Is it do you see an application where there can be tracking, you know, in this industry, you know, seed to sell?

 

[00:41:22] Not that that’s not in their plan now, but but I could see it becoming I mean, because obviously it’s a profitable industry.

 

[00:41:29] And companies continue to continue to grow. But I think they’re they’re they’re dealing with the you. Yeah. Just tomatoes and such at the moment.

 

[00:41:38] Yeah. Good stuff. Well, any final thoughts on the cannabis supply chain. Marijuana supply chain. And there’s some local players right now doing their own touch on some local players, Ben.

 

[00:41:48] You know, we did and we have in previous episodes of Supply chain City here. So we Satara Wellness actually, who I’ll know if Malcolm can can do this quickly, but they just changed their name, their company name, actually, as of today. I went to their Web site earlier and I looked at just the about us section, you know, thinking I was thinking, okay, let me just give an overview. Stairwell is kind of what they do, but they they, you know, manufacture and produce wellness products when it comes to marijuana, mostly CBD products, IMS and so forth and so forth.

 

[00:42:23] But yeah, they just change their name today to parallel a half of the Malcolm Pipp that parallels new brand name pioneering well-being.

 

[00:42:31] Is there their business there? So, yeah. So that’s excitement. And they’re based right here in Atlanta. They’ve been extremely aggressive about putting together a phenomenal group of leaders and some supply chain leaders in that area also. I know they work with another Atlanta based company here flourish. I believe that we’ve mentioned about previously on the show. Also Kolton Griffin Griffin, our good friend there, who’s a former Manhattan associate employee as well. He he’s been working there for a long time. And he started that company. He’s actually, of course, spends a lot of his time in the California area now. Course, because the industry is just much more mature USA out there. But yeah, they’re they’re both those companies are still based here and they’re huge as far as dominating the southeast.

 

[00:43:17] And in that arena will flourish. And you’ll both know much more about Supply chain software than I do. But that platform was built specifically for the cannabis industry, correct? Yeah. Okay. So let’s as we wrap up here today on the latest Supply chain City episode here on Supply Chain Now Radio, which is neat to have the gang back together, we’ve got some great shows in November. We’re gonna have a special guest from Stored.

 

[00:43:46] Yes, Shawn Henry. Shawn. We haven’t had him on and on about a year, probably.

 

[00:43:51] That’s right. Yeah. So looking forward to your store has been rock n roll in no different ways. I was looking forward to him being on the show in November and then we’ll have a special guest in early December as well, which we’re keeping the wraps for now. But let’s let’s get we got to talk about baseball. All right. We got game time not too far from here. Game of the in l._d._s. And well, what’s your what’s your fearless prediction game for?

 

[00:44:18] Oh, I mean, I like the Cardinals to win man and force a game five, not only because I have tickets to my Wednesday night, I’ll tell you that. Let me give us a score score today while the cardinals still can’t hit at all. So we’ll go. Yeah. Dallas, Michael on what, three days rest day? But I think that he doesn’t do that very often. And people do when they push guys like this, it doesn’t always work out. I’m sure they’ll have a quick look for him. It’s the playoffs. But, you know, we’ll go with something like five to three, five, the three card prediction.

 

[00:44:48] Ben, I think the Cardinals win today, too. I know it sounds bad, Scott, but I’m thinking four to two for Tebow’s.

 

[00:44:58] Boring playoff games as we’ve had so far.

 

[00:45:01] All right, so here might be the the the pattern and Rup then I think today I think there’s so much momentum in baseball is not like football and some of the games of momentum is tougher. However, I think the Braves and come out and they’re going to score. But Durant’s thought I think last night is a close amount. I’ll tell you honestly.

 

[00:45:20] Watch in the first inning. Dakota Hudson. He’s a sinker baller for the Cardinals and sinker. And on the ground balls. That’s the idea that he has had trouble with his command on that sinker lately. And in the last few of his September outings, he has walked several guys. He’s gotten out of it a lot of times, but he’s there. You may see like a bases loaded one out situation. And that will the game will turn right there. Here, right here. Left. If he is a righty, Mississippi. That helps. That helps for our luck at a little. Yes. Yeah, yeah. He does at hand, but he throws grand balls. That’s his thing.

 

[00:45:54] 3:52 Braves 84 drives and game. I would love that outcome. We’ll see what happens. Okay. So let’s wrap up today. A few just a few upcoming events. As always, we want to invite our audience.

 

[00:46:07] Come check us out in person. We’ve got some really neat events that we’re currently scheduled for and a few that we’re adding to a schedule here next few weeks. But for starters, here on October 9th, just two days down the road here on Wednesday, the cop, many in the Georgia manufacturing summit put Omar our friends over at the Georgia manufacturing alliance. We’re gonna be leading a panel session broadcasting love. Greg White will be leading a couple of onsite interviews there. Jason Maule, CEO of the GMH. He’s got some great, great keynotes from PDG and Kisha. So looking forward to that event.

 

[00:46:43] Will both y’all be there? I will be there. Yes. Fantastic. Well, I don’t I don’t know if I would be on. Get on your radar. Sit on my calendar. Put it on there. I might have. This guy was the keeper of his Gates in charge of me. If anybody was wondering, by the way. Oh, yeah, we’re going. I bet you’ll be there. Yes. The answer is yes.

 

[00:47:02] Registration is still open, too. So check that out at Georgia manufacturing alliance dot com for a full day of manufacturing heavy content, which you know, is gonna be celebrating the 10000 plus manufacturers that are here in the state of Georgia. Okay. And then October 23rd, we’re coming down to Charleston, where in partnership with the South Carolina Council on Competitiveness, we’re be broadcasting live from the South Carolina Logistics Tech Talk. And you brought up DHL earlier. Their keynote event, DHL Supply chain will be down there. I will also are going to hear from Volvo cars, which the first North American manufacturing site was established in Charleston.

 

[00:47:44] They’ve got a pretty interesting story, but great event. You can learn more at SC Competes dot org and definitely check us out in person. And then if you’ll be in Austin, Texas. Yes. Oh, yeah. It has been a while. Both. Yeah. And, um. On the on that wire. I have not been asked yet. And so we’re gonna be an awesome with our friends at EAFE November 7th and 8th at the 2013 Logistics CIO Forum Spend.

 

[00:48:11] You should add a couple days before, after and just to kind of see the city for yourself, too.

 

[00:48:16] Well, we’re gonna be driving the van out there. So we’re gonna be adding a probably a couple days, a front end, a couple lives in the back. But the josee the news with to air lately. Now you got on leave soon. So Reuters. All right. The global media behemoth has purchased for transport, John, is that right?

 

[00:48:34] I just found out this morning and we have really proud of our partnership that we’ve established with E.M.T. Folks, Nick and USCIRF. Yeah. And looking forward to this next event. But really from from by all accounts, it’s going to be it’s going to be a perfect marriage that will help continue to grow. E.F. Events.

 

[00:48:53] Yeah, I think just the when you bring the name reuters’ to the table, I mean, that’s a whole different level of, you know, cachet. I think to that event. So that’s awesome. Scott, that’s exciting.

 

[00:49:02] Well, congrats to our friends at EAFE and course the Reuters folks. I think what an outstanding acquisition. The further their chops in the in the Siplon and global supply chain industry and. If you’re interested in that event, the Logistics SEO Forum in Austin, registration is still open. You can check out our events tab at Supply Chain Now Radio dot com or you can check out EMT dot com. Check out their events calendar. Okay. Reverse Logistics SCAC in conference and Expo in Vegas in February. Oh yeah, I skipped everyone. We’re gonna be partnering with the Atlanta CSC Impey chapter in January with one of the local events where they’re gonna be featuring one of the NASCAR NASCAR track leaders. So you’ll follow it with Astra. Yep. They’re gonna be coming giving an update on some of the things that that organization is doing, of course, in conjunction with CSC MP Organ broadcast live from the event. Looking forward to. Doing a variety of of their supporters and their board members as well as well, we’ll see the net mass tracked prisoner may kind of keep her presentation focused only on the local audience, but nevertheless, I bet we connect and interview her as well.

 

[00:50:14] And you can Google.

 

[00:50:16] That event has already opened their registration calendar. She can Google the Atlanta CSC NDP organization to a to sign up and join us. So then Arly Conference Expo out in Vegas in February 2020 and then of course, mutex 2020. We’re rebroadcasting laugh throughout the four days and yeah, hosting our 2020 Atlanta Siplon awards.

 

[00:50:36] So big, big mutex been a great, great partner and 35000 people right here in Supply chain City, one of the largest North American trade supply chain trade shows is the largest in the Western Hemisphere. Wow. So you got to kind of. Well, we worked my verbage. Moto X pro.

 

[00:50:54] Same thing basically. But yeah it is. It’s a pretty big show. Yeah, huge. Excited to have it here in Atlanta.

 

[00:51:00] And the really cool thing about that show is is free to attend. Yeah. Modoc show dot com to check it out for days. Presentations they have. As Greg likes to say, if it’s a white why wouldn’t you attend. You know if it’s free led to. Yeah absolutely. Yeah. Folks will stand up there. Many manufacturing production lines in their Georgia World Congress Center. So an outstanding networking. So if you’re interested, check out Modoc Show dot com.

 

[00:51:27] All right.

 

[00:51:29] We what do we not cover today? That was a lot. It was like I was kind of impressed at how much we gotten done in the same amount of time. Yeah. So the stamina. All right.

 

[00:51:41] All right. So we’ve given the baseball predictions. Kidding aside. Well, we’ve all been there was on the heartbreak losses. We were all it was a tough game. It was a tough one. You refer to Game 3?

 

[00:51:52] Yeah, it’s a tough one. I was a bad one, but good for you all, as always. A flip side to somebody crying and somebody somebody’s whipping. Yes.

 

[00:52:00] All right. So let’s give our listeners a chance. If if will they want to get in touch with you and watch all you’ve got going on backbeat marketing. How to fix fondue. Yeah, backbeat, marketing, dot com. Perfect. So that easy. Birgit. Just me an e-mail. William at backbeat marketing Danka. Okay. And Ben, if they want to check in on all the cool things at the metro Atlanta Chamber is up to furthering and expanding business, but especially supply chain in the sports business and in Georgia and in metro Atlanta. How can I get in touch with you?

 

[00:52:28] Metro Atlanta chamber com. And then there’s many places you can go from there. But I would start with that. And then always you can get me on my email. B Harris at M A SEUS as in metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce dot com.

 

[00:52:42] Okay. Great to have you both. Looking forward to the next episode with Sean and store. That’ll be an outstanding addition. Stored is a really interesting company that’s doing some big things.

 

[00:52:52] Yeah. And we get we added one more guest actually that show we’ve got a guy from Hermes, the founder of Hermes is gonna be on the show as well. A.J., people come in if you have not heard of Hermès. Get ready, because it’s definitely an interesting, really cool concept and it has huge implications. And supply chain.

 

[00:53:12] So R&M one two punch. Yeah. Read the book a second hour for that episode.

 

[00:53:17] It’s going to be tough to get it all in. That’s for sure. But you know what? That’s why we do this.

 

[00:53:21] That’s what we do. Should be fun. All right. So to our audience, be sure to check out other upcoming events, replays of our interviews, other resources at Supply Chain Now Radio dot com. You can find us an Apple podcast, SoundCloud, all of leading sites where podcasts can be found. Be sure to check out us on YouTube as we’re publishing our behind the scenes video of most of our podcasts. Be sure to subscribe. Still missing thing on behalf of the entire Supply Chain Now Radio team and the Supply chain City Gang. This is Scott Luton wishing you a wonderful week. A hit and we will see you next time on Supply Chain Now Radio. Thanks everybody.

Would you rather watch the show in action?

Watch Scott, Ben, and Will, the #SupplyChainCity Team, as they record SCNR Episode 184 at the Supply Chain Now Radio studio at Vector Global Logistics.

Featured Guests

Will Haraway is the Chief Content Officer for Lead Coverage and the Founder & Lead Evangelist at Backbeat Marketing. Will has 20 years of executive experience in B2B Technology Marketing. Will is a certified analyst relations practitioner by the Knowledge Capital Group and has helped companies including Manhattan Associates, Aptos, Atlantix Global Systems, American Software and Rubicon Global improve their brand reputations with marketing results that help increase sales. Will also serves as a member of the APICS Atlanta Executive Advisory Board.

Ben Harris is Director of Supply Chain Ecosystem Expansion for the Metro Atlanta Chamber. Ben comes to the Metro Atlanta Chamber after serving as Senior Manager, Market Development for Manhattan Associates. There, Ben was responsible for developing Manhattan’s sales pipeline and overall Americas supply chain marketing strategy. Ben oversaw market positioning, messaging and campaign execution to build awareness and drive new pipeline growth. Prior to joining Manhattan, Ben spent four years with the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s Center of Innovation for Logistics where he played a key role in establishing the Center as a go-to industry resource for information, support, partnership building, and investment development. Additionally, he became a key SME for all logistics and supply chain-focused projects. Ben began his career at Page International, Inc. where he drove continuous improvement in complex global supply chain operations for a wide variety of businesses and Fortune 500 companies. An APICS Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), Ben holds an Executive Master’s degree in Business Administration (EMBA) and bachelor’s degree in International Business (BBA) from the Terry College at the University of Georgia. Learn more about the Metro Atlanta Chamber here: www.metroatlantachamber.com

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Demo Perez started his career in 1997 in the industry by chance when a relative asked him for help for two just weeks putting together an operation for FedEx Express at the Colon Free Zone, an area where he was never been but accepted the challenge. Worked in all roles possible from a truck driver to currier to a sales representative, helped the brand introduction, market share growth and recognition in the Colon Free Zone, at the end of 1999 had the chance to meet and have a chat with Fred Smith ( FedEx CEO), joined another company in 2018 who took over the FedEx operations as Operations and sales manager, in 2004 accepted the challenge from his company to leave the FedEx operations and business to take over the operation and business of DHL Express, his major competitor and rival so couldn’t say no, by changing completely its operation model in the Free Zone. In 2005 started his first entrepreneurial journey by quitting his job and joining two friends to start a Freight Forwarding company. After 8 months was recruited back by his company LSP with the General Manager role with the challenge of growing the company and make it fully capable warehousing 3PL. By 2009 joined CSCMP and WERC and started his journey of learning and growing his international network and high-level learning. In 2012 for the first time joined a local association ( the Panama Maritime Chamber) and worked in the country’s first Logistics Strategy plan, joined and lead other associations ending as president of the Panama Logistics Council in 2017. By finishing his professional mission at LSP with a company that was 8 times the size it was when accepted the role as GM with so many jobs generated and several young professionals coached, having great financial results, took the decision to move forward and start his own business from scratch by the end of 2019. with a friend and colleague co-founded IPL Group a company that started as a boutique 3PL and now is gearing up for the post-Covid era by moving to the big leagues.

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Host, Supply Chain Now

The founder of Logistics Executive Group, Kim Winter delivers 40 years of executive leadership experience spanning Executive Search & Recruitment, Leadership Development, Executive Coaching, Corporate Advisory, Motivational Speaking, Trade Facilitation and across the Supply Chain, Logistics, 3PL, E-commerce, Life Science, Cold Chain, FMCG, Retail, Maritime, Defence, Aviation, Resources, and Industrial sectors. Operating from the company’s global offices, he is a regular contributor of thought leadership to industry and media, is a professional Master of Ceremonies, and is frequently invited to chair international events.

He is a Board member of over a dozen companies throughout APAC, India, and the Middle East, a New Zealand citizen, he holds formal resident status in Australia and the UAE, and is the Australia & New Zealand representative for the UAE Government-owned Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA), the Middle East’s largest Economic Free Zone.

A triathlete and ex-professional rugby player, Kim is a qualified (IECL Sydney) executive coach and the Founder / Chairman of the successful not for profit humanitarian organization, Oasis Africa (www. oasisafrica.org.au), which has provided freedom from poverty through education to over 8000 mainly orphaned children in East Africa’s slums. Kim holds an MBA and BA from Massey & Victoria Universities (NZ).

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Adrian Purtill

Host, Logistics with Purpose

Adrian Purtill serves as Business Development Manager at Vector Global Logistics, where he consults with importers and exporters in various industries to match their specific shipping requirements with the most effective supply chain solutions. Vector Global Logistics is an asset-free, multi-modal logistics company that provides exceptional sea freight, air freight, truck, rail, general logistic services and consulting for our clients. Our highly trained and professional team is committed to providing creative and effective solutions, always exceeding our customer’s expectations and fostering long-term relationships. With more than 20+ years of experience in both strategy consulting and logistics, Vector Global Logistics is your best choice to proactively minimize costs while having an exceptional service level.

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Kevin Brown

Host, Logistics with Purpose

Kevin Brown is the Director of Business Development for Vector Global Logistics.  He has a dedicated interest in Major Account Management, Enterprise Sales, and Corporate Leadership. He offers 25 years of exceptional experience and superior performance in the sales of Logistics, Supply Chain, and Transportation Management. Kevin is a dynamic, high-impact, sales executive and corporate leader who has consistently exceeded corporate goals. He effectively coordinates multiple resources to solution sell large complex opportunities while focusing on corporate level contacts across the enterprise. His specialties include targeting and securing key accounts by analyzing customer’s current business processes and developing solutions to meet their corporate goals. Connect with Kevin on LinkedIn.

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Jose Miguel Irarrazaval

Host, Logistics with Purpose

Jose Manuel Irarrazaval es parte del equipo de Vector Global Logistics Chile. José Manuel es un gerente experimentado con experiencia en finanzas corporativas, fusiones y adquisiciones, financiamiento y reestructuración, inversión directa y financiera, tanto en Chile como en el exterior. José Manuel tiene su MBA de la Universidad de Pennsylvania- The Wharton School. Conéctese con Jose Manuel en LinkedIn.

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Nick Roemer

Host, Logistics with Purpose

Nick Roemer has had a very diverse and extensive career within design and sales over the last 15 years stretching from China, Dubai, Germany, Holland, UK, and the USA. In the last 5 years, Nick has developed a hawk's eye for sustainable tech and the human-centric marketing and sales procedures that come with it. With his far-reaching and strong network within the logistics industry, Nick has been able to open new avenues and routes to market within major industries in the USA and the UAE. Nick lives by the ethos, “Give more than you take." His professional mission is to make the logistics industry leaner, cleaner and greener.

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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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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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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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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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Laura Lopez

Marketing Coordinator

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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Jake Barr

Host

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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Marcia Williams

Host

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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Luisa Garcia

Host, Logistics with Purpose

Luisa Garcia is a passionate Marketer from Lagos de Moreno based in Aguascalientes. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from Universidad Autonoma de Aguascalientes, Mexico. She specializes in brand development at any stage, believing that a brand is more than just a name or image—it’s an unforgettable experience. Her expertise helps brands achieve their dreams and aspirations, making a lasting impact. Currently working at Vector Global Logistics in the Marketing team and as podcast coordinator of Logistics With Purpose®. Luisa believes that purpose-driven decisions will impact results that make a difference in the world.

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Astrid Aubert

Host, Logistics with Purpose

Astrid Aubert was born in Guadalajara, she is 39 years old and has had the opportunity to live in many places. She studied communication and her professional career has been in Trade Marketing for global companies such as Pepsico and Mars. She currently works as Marketing Director Mexico for Vector Global Logistics. She is responsible for internal communications and marketing strategy development for the logistics industry. She is a mother of two girls, married and lives in Monterrey. She defines herself as a creative and innovative person, and enjoys traveling and cooking a lot.

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Sofia Rivas

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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Karin Bursa

Host

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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Vin Vashishta

Host

Vin Vashishta is the author of ‘From Data To Profit’ (Wiley 2023). It’s the playbook for monetizing data and AI. Vin is the Founder of V-Squared and built the business from client 1 to one of the world’s oldest data and AI consulting firms. His background combines nearly 30 years in strategy, leadership, software engineering, and applied machine learning.

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Amanda Luton

Vice President, Production

Amanda is a production and marketing veteran and entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience across a variety of industries and organizations including Von Maur, Anthropologie, AmericasMart Atlanta, and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Amanda currently manages, produces, and develops modern digital content for Supply Chain Now and their clients. Amanda has previously served as the VP of Information Systems and Webmaster on the Board of Directors for APICS Savannah, and founded and managed her own successful digital marketing firm, Magnolia Marketing Group. When she’s not leading the Supply Chain Now production team, you can find Amanda in the kitchen, reading, listening to podcasts, or enjoying time with family.

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Scott W. Luton

Founder, CEO, & Host

As the founder and CEO of Supply Chain Now, you might say Scott is the voice of supply chain – but he’s too much of a team player to ever claim such a title. One thing’s for sure: he’s a tried and true supply chain expert. With over 15 years of experience in the end-to-end supply chain, Scott’s insights have appeared in major publications including The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and CNN. He has also been named a top industry influencer by Thinkers360, ISCEA and more.

From 2009-2011, Scott was president of APICS Atlanta, and he continues to lead initiatives that support both the local business community and global industry. A United States Air Force Veteran, Scott has also regularly led efforts to give back to his fellow veteran community since his departure from active duty in 2002.

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Greg White

Principal & Host

When rapid-growth technology companies, venture capital and private equity firms are looking for advisory, they call Greg – a founder, board director, advisor and catalyst of disruptive B2B technology and supply chain. An insightful visionary, Greg guides founders, investors and leadership teams in creating breakthroughs to gain market exposure and momentum – increasing overall company esteem and valuation.

Greg is a founder himself, creating Blue Ridge Solutions, a Gartner Magic Quadrant Leader in cloud-native supply chain applications, and bringing to market Curo, a field service management solution. He has also held leadership roles with Servigistics (PTC) and E3 Corporation (JDA/Blue Yonder). As a principal and host at Supply Chain Now, Greg helps guide the company’s strategic direction, hosts industry leader discussions, community livestreams, and all in addition to executive producing and hosting his original YouTube channel and podcast, TEChquila Sunrise.

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Chris Barnes

Principal, Supply Chain Now
Host of Supply Chain is Boring

Talk about world-class: Chris is one of the few professionals in the world to hold CPIM-F, CLTD-F and CSCP-F designations from ASCM/APICS. He’s also the APICS coach – and our resident Supply Chain Doctor. When he’s not hosting programs with Supply Chain Now, he’s sharing supply chain knowledge on the APICS Coach Youtube channel or serving as a professional education instructor for the Georgia Tech Supply Chain & Logistic Institute’s Supply Chain Management (SCM) program and University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Center for Professional Education courses.

Chris earned a BS in Industrial Engineering from Bradley University, an MBA with emphasis in Industrial Psychology from the University of West Florida, and is a Doctoral in Supply Chain Management candidate.

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Tyler Ward

Director of Sales

Tyler Ward serves as Supply Chain Now's Director of Sales. Born and raised in Mid-Atlantic, Tyler is a proud graduate of Shippensburg University where he earned his degree in Communications. After college, he made his way to the beautiful state of Oregon, where he now lives with his wife and daughter.

With over a decade of experience in sales, Tyler has a proven track record of exceeding targets and leading high-performing teams. He credits his success to his ability to communicate effectively with customers and team members alike, as well as his strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.

When he's not closing deals, you can find Tyler on the links or cheering on his favorite football and basketball teams. He also enjoys spending time with his family, playing pick-up basketball, and traveling back to Ocean City, Maryland, his favorite place!

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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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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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Kelly Barner

Host of Dial P for Procurement

Kelly is the Owner and Managing Director of Buyers Meeting Point and MyPurchasingCenter. She has been in procurement since 2003, starting as a practitioner and then as the Associate Director of Consulting at Emptoris. She has covered procurement news, events, publications, solutions, trends, and relevant economics at Buyers Meeting Point since 2009. Kelly is also the General Manager at Art of Procurement and Business Survey Chair for the ISM-New York Report on Business. Kelly has her MBA from Babson College as well as an MS in Library and Information Science from Simmons College and she has co-authored three books: ‘Supply Market Intelligence for Procurement Professionals’, ‘Procurement at a Crossroads’, and ‘Finance Unleashed’.

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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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Constantine Limberakis

Host

Constantine Limberakis is a thought leader in the area of procurement and supply management. He has over 20 years of international experience, playing strategic roles in a wide spectrum of organizations related to analyst advisory, consulting, product marketing, product development, and market research.Throughout his career, he's been passionate about engaging global business leaders and the broader analyst and technology community with strategic content, speaking engagements, podcasts, research, webinars, and industry articles.Constantine holds a BA in History from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and an MBA in Finance & Marketing / Masters in Public & International Affairs from the University of Pittsburgh.

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Clay Phillips

Business Development Manager

Clay is passionate about two things: supply chain and the marketing that goes into it. Recently graduated with a degree in marketing at the University of Georgia, Clay got his start as a journalism major and inaugural member of the Owl’s football team at Kennesaw State University – but quickly saw tremendous opportunity in the Terry College of Business. He’s already putting his education to great use at Supply Chain Now, assisting with everything from sales and brand strategy to media production. Clay has contributed to initiatives such as our leap into video production, the guest blog series, and boosting social media presence, and after nearly two years in Supply Chain Now’s Marketing Department, Clay now heads up partnership and sales initiatives with the help of the rest of the Supply Chain Now sales team.

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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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Chantel King

Social Media Manager

My name is Chantel King and I am the Social Media Specialist at Supply Chain Now. My job is to make sure our audience is engaged and educated on the abundant amount of information the supply chain industry has to offer.

Social Media and Communications has been my niche ever since I graduated from college at The Academy of Art University in San Francisco. No, I am not a West Coast girl. I was born and raised in New Jersey, but my travel experience goes way beyond the garden state. My true passion is in creating editorial and graphic content that influences others to be great in whatever industry they are in. I’ve done this by working with lifestyle, financial, and editorial companies by providing resources to enhance their businesses.

Another passion of mine is trying new things. Whether it’s food, an activity, or a sport. I would like to say that I am an adventurous Taurus that never shies away from a new quest or challenge.

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Lori Sofian

Marketing Coordinator

Lori is currently completing a degree in marketing with an emphasis in digital marketing at the University of Georgia. When she’s not supporting the marketing efforts at Supply Chain Now, you can find her at music festivals – or working toward her dream goal of a fashion career. Lori is involved in many extracurricular activities and appreciates all the learning experiences UGA has brought her.

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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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Mary Kate Love

Chief of Staff & Host

Mary Kate Love is currently the VP of marketing 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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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.

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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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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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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