John Freeze

Special Guest Blog Post written by Gary Smith, CPIM-F, CSCP-F, CLTD-F, Author of “The Bridge,” Supply Chain Engineer, and Educator   1. Do Supply Chains exist in the public sector? The short answer is “YES!” I spent the first 25 years of my career in the private sector where I worked in warehouse operations, industrial engineering, and consulting, all in the logistics andsupply chain area. I cut my teeth on retail, automotive, chemical, food and beverage, publishing, and manufacturing. During that time, I also completed projects for the public sector in education and for the Department of Defense. In 2005 I was named Director of Supply Chain Operations for the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA). We operated a 200,000 sq. ft. warehouse that shipped repair material to 335 developments in New York’s five boroughs. In 2013, I was named Vice President of Supply Logistics for New York City Transit, the largest public transportation organization in North America. We operated over 1.5 million sq. ft. of warehouse space covering all of New York City. Several years ago, I was on a national committee for the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM). We created this elevator speech to describe Supply Chain…

At Manifest 2026, Scott Luton spent time with his friend, Jorge Morales, Global Chief Operating Officer of the International Supply Chain Education Alliance (ISCEA), for a conversation that centered not on hype, but on growth. ISCEA is a global certification body serving supply chain professionals around the world. But as Morales put it, “We’re in the knowledge business; but most of all, we’re in the personal growth business.” Through certifications, membership programs, advisory boards, and global events, ISCEA empowers professionals to stay current, expand their networks, and advance their careers. In a volatile era, that mission has never been more relevant.   Beyond the AI Hype Cycle When asked about dominant themes from 2025 to 2026, Morales pointed to a shift in how the industry views technology. “Last year we were still in the bubble of the hype of AI,” he said. Many professionals feared being replaced or assumed AI would solve everything overnight. That perspective has matured. “Technology by itself is not what determines your level of success,” Morales explained. “Understanding the basics, knowing how things work; THAT is key.” AI and data tools remain critical across procurement, logistics, manufacturing, planning and more. But success depends on how organizations…