TECHquila Sunrise
Episode 30

Episode Summary

“I think there is a value migration from the big asset based incumbents [in last mile delivery] into the small software based challengers. There’s no question that we’re seeing that.”

– Ben Gordon

 

We welcome Ben Gordon back to TECHquila Sunrise. Ben is Managing Partner and CEO of both Cambridge Capital, and BG Strategic Advisors, and a leading advisor & investor to supply chain & tech companies. Ben shares 3 big takeaways as well as his insights coming fresh off the BG Strategic Advisors VIRTUAL Supply Chain Conference 2021. The conference is the leading CEO-level event in the transportation, logistics, and supply chain sector, where companies get known, and investment & partnership opportunities in supply chain are ignited.

Episode Transcript

Greg White (00:03):

It’s time to wake up to tequila, sunrise, Greg white here. And I have spent my career starting leading, deploying, and investing in supply chain tech. So we take a shot at talk founders, execs investors and companies in this hot industry. If you want a taste of how tech startup growth and investment is done, join blinding tequila, Sandra, you have your shot glass. We have to get into the right frame of mind for this.

Greg White (00:50):

All right. Let’s bring in our guests, Ben Gordon, managing partner and CEO, Cambridge capital and BG strategic advisors. I bet we all wonder what BG stands for.

Ben Gordon (01:02):

I dunno, GW. You tell me

Greg White (01:05):

Very, very good original Ben is a leading advisor and an investor in supply chain and tech coming fresh off of his BG strategic advisors, virtual supply chain conference for 2021, a leading CEO level event in transportation and supply chain and logistics and tech where companies get known and investments and partnership opportunities get ignited. So Ben, thanks for joining us. I really appreciate it. It’s good to see you again.

Ben Gordon (01:36):

Okay, Greg. Great to see you again. Yeah.

Greg White (01:38):

So you’re coming fresh off of this, this conference, so I’m dying and I’m sure everyone is dying. Cause you know, it’s pretty exclusive event, right? It’s invitation only. So I’m sure everybody is dying to hear, what did we learn at the conference this year? What are the big takeaways or topics or discoveries even surprises that we should know about?

Ben Gordon (02:01):

Well, I think I learned a lot and you’re right. It’s, it’s a fantastic event. It is by invitation only, but it’s not very hard to get an invitation. Just ask us, ask, you know, we make it invitation only by the way, because we used to have people crashing it all the time. You know, other investment banks and private equity firms and we’re happy to share, but we spend about half a million dollars a year on the event. And we really want to make sure that it’s predominantly comprised of CEOs sharing their feedback with other CEOs because that’s part of what makes the culture of the event special. It’s also part of what causes people to be willing to share more. And so in that spirit, some of the things that the close to 200 CEOs and supply chain leaders at the BGSA supply chain conference shared, I’ll just start by saying that the caliber of this event in terms of the attendees in some respects was better than ever been because we had access not only to CEOs and leaders of major transportation, logistics companies that you would know.

Ben Gordon (03:07):

I mean arc best eco ups, freight target emerge, Llamasoft NFI, Volta trucks, global trans Kenco lineage and others. But we also had a couple of special guests. So for example, stiffened button and the CTO of Medina, and he shared a perspective on what’s happening in the race to save the world with a COVID vaccine, as well as the cold chain logistics related to that. So one thing I learned was how Madrona is rolling out the vaccine and what it means for the logistics to support it. By the way, one of the questions that one of the CEOs in the audience asked was Howard of Stefan. He said, how are you distributing this vaccine into emerging markets where the infrastructure may not be as established in order to maintain the extreme cold temperatures required for it? And that’s a continuing question, right? Not, not easy, but that was one thing that I learned.

Ben Gordon (04:03):

The second thing was we got to have a great discussion, a one-on-one interview. We had the 75th us postmaster general R Lewis did joy. And I’ve gotten the pleasure of knowing Lewis for a long time because Louis built a logistics company, new breed, and we got to work with them over 15 years ago. And he grew that to over a $600 million business and sold it to XPO Lewis who could have retired and counted his money and enjoyed the success that he had achieved, decided to go back into public service. He took a lot of slings and arrows, right, right. Where he got a ton of thanks for his service, right? Yeah, yeah. Ton of things. But I’ll tell you what I learned from the discussion with Louis was he said, look, I’m not worried about the short-term political conversations. He said, what I’m worried about is the post office over the next decade is supposed to burn $158 billion.

Ben Gordon (04:59):

And he said, as an American, I think that’s crazy. And he said, I want to do my part as a public servant to see if I can make the post office sustainable. That 158 billion makes its way down to a point where it’s eventually break. Even it will be so much better for the U S taxpayer and so much better for the U S government. You and I were talking before the show started about things we can learn from history and the Peloponnesian war and how you can’t count on being on top forever. One way you can, uh, protect your long-term sustainability is the U S government is to not run out of money and having a post office that, that fixes that could be a big deal. So great discussion with, with our postmaster general loose to joy about that, and also about how logistics and supply chain companies could be a part of it, which I’ll come back to later if you want.

Ben Gordon (05:49):

And then a third thing, third thing that I learned was the overpowering importance of e-commerce and you know, much has been made of the fact, you may have seen the chart McKinsey put out a chart that showed that in one quarter, first quarter of COVID. We had as much growth in e-commerce as the entire decade before it. And so that shocking accelerate. So he commerce as a percent of retail spend, which was 15% in 2019 and a decade earlier, it was 5%. Okay. So to take it a decade to go from five to 15 in one quarter actually went from 15, more than 10. It went to 35%, 35% of all retail spend is e-commerce what that means for logistics. And this was a topic that permeated the conference was great news for all the services that support that. So last mile logistics, if you work from home and you’re buying online last mile matters more, and that’s good for ups and FedEx, but also last mile services and tech companies reverse logistics. You buy something online, it gets returned. Return rates are 25% online, but six to 8% in retail stores. So there’s a surgeon, reverse logistics. E-commerce fulfillment out of the goods actually gets you who manages that value added warehousing process. So all these logistics services are adapting and growing in order to respond to that e-commerce surge. So those were three things that I learned.

Greg White (07:15):

Yeah. The no surprise there from any standpoint, really interesting array of speakers you got there, that’s pretty impressive worth the price of entry e-commerce is, you know, it’s the topic of the day, right? And I know you work with a company called bring, right, that does last mile delivery. And then you have another company that you’re working with in Columbia. I believe too. What’s that one called

Ben Gordon (07:39):

That one’s called lifted, lifted at the Latin American last mile logistics tech company, growing queuing. Great. Actually just brought on a terrific addition to the senior team, Jim van lenan, uh, who’s had experience building and growing much larger logistics companies. And it’s actually a neat example because it shows the maturation of supply chain technology. So, you know, in the early days, uh, really early days when I started my first company, 22 years ago in logistics tech that make me a, uh, a grandpa and in SAS terms,

Greg White (08:12):

I guess, so we can call you supply chain, grandpa. I don’t think so. Let’s not how about favorite? Okay,

Ben Gordon (08:18):

Cool. All right. I it’s better than crazy uncle. So whatever I was when I started my first company threeplex I was 26 years old and you know, our team was comprised of young, you know, tech oriented founders and a sign of success for us when we got to be large enough that we could start recruiting seasoned veterans who had built great businesses like our VP of sales, uh, eventually is a guy named Bob Devoss who had run all of sales for Schneider logistics and multi-billion dollar business. So in much the same way, you see a proof point of success for a company when it can attract that next level of talent and lift it’s done that and bringing in Jim van lean-in who had helped build companies before that would flash global logistics us pack GE trained black belt, you know, run SIRVA international. So, you know, I think we’re excited about lifted. We’re excited about the growth. We’re excited about the entrepreneurial team. And we’re also excited about the things that are a sign of the maturation of the company as it gets to the next level.

Greg White (09:18):

Well, and there’s somewhat of a transition. Speaking of our David and Goliath discussion prior to the start here, there is the distinct opinion. And I wonder if you guys talked about this for the displacement, if not disruption in at least some cases of the traditional parcel last mile carriers, because they seem to be struggling mightily to be able to deliver the last mile with any level of economic feasibility and some of these other companies, some of these smaller carriers seem to be making headway in that regard. So I feel like there is at least room in the marketplace for these companies and possibly, maybe even a changing of the guard. Did you guys talk about any of that?

Ben Gordon (10:01):

Yes. Yes. So I think there are a couple of elements to that first. There’s the huge market shift in the growth in last mile. And then second, there’s the question of who the winners are. Am I set up to show you a slide on this? That that’ll give you an illustration or,

Greg White (10:16):

Oh my gosh, we have visual AIDS. Uh, let me see, let me make sure you can share. Yeah, there you go. You should be able to go. Yeah,

Ben Gordon (10:25):

I should be able to. All right. So I’m going to give you a visual aid to, to share with the audience that I think will help. So the context here is what’s happening in terms of the shift, and I’m going to show you just, just what I think is going on. Can you see my screen?

Greg White (10:41):

Yes. Wow. It worked been amazing. We’re breaking new ground on tequila center.

Ben Gordon (10:47):

You technical stars here, you and me with this chart illustrates is we’re value migrated in the past year. So what’s interesting to note is last year we have an index at BGSA the BGSA supply chain index. It’s a basket of close to 70 public companies in all areas of transportation, logistics, distribution, and supply chain. The basket was up about 26% last year, which beat the market. But what’s interesting is the allocation of those dollars. So what we thought would be a good way to look at it was segment the market into a series of sectors. And if you look along the X axis, you’ll see the highest performing sector was LTL led by companies like YRC with a and the Y axis shows their percentage change in stock price. Y R C went up 120%. The size of the bubble reflects the enterprise enterprise value of the company.

Ben Gordon (11:40):

Okay? So the LTL category was the best arc best TFI CYO YRC. Second best was parcel. You’ll see FedEx ups and DHL, and then software logistics, railroad, et cetera, all the way down to the laggard at the right, which of course was the airline sector, which got crushed airlines lost $118 billion last year from a P and L standpoint, which was about a decade worth of profit. But the winners on the left LTL and parcel, these guys were beneficiaries of the shift from work to home for retail to e-commerce and the logistics that supported those two shifts. Okay. So LTL carriers were doing that last mile delivery. And of course, so, so are the parcel companies. But what I want to highlight here is the aggregate dollar shift to parcel. So if you look at the size of the bubbles, FedEx ups and DHL, really the biggest bubbles on the page with the exception of union Pacific, right?

Ben Gordon (12:38):

And so those guys gained $110 billion of market value last year to reach 343 billion. It’s one thing when you’re a tiny startup and you spiked by, you know, a huge amount. I mean, absolute software’s up over a hundred percent great, but look at the size of the bubble ups, FedEx and DHL, you know, now a third of a trillion dollars in market value. So you saw this huge surge to those big guys. Now reasonable question to ask is what, what happens next and who, you know, who the other winners will be. And that’s where we get to the second part of your question. They guys who were actually doing the delivery have been winners, but the guys providing software for last mile are also big winners. Now, most of those guys are not public. So this is more a reflection of the private markets. And by the way, I’m biased.

Ben Gordon (13:28):

I don’t want to sell my book, but I will tell you, you know, that look, I’m an investor in a last mile software company called bring and brings a good illustration of this bring, you know, has had tremendous growth in the past year, you know, close to doubling doing a great job, serving, you know, blue-chip customers, Walmart, McDonald’s Panera host of others, focusing on this very issue. So I think you have a couple of types of winners. There are the large asset based players doing the last mile. There are the logistics companies managing it, you’ll see XPO and the blue bubble and logistics, which, which, you know, is up a little over 40% last year about an $18 billion market value company now, and also a portfolio company of ours dating back close to a decade. And then you have these software companies who are pure plays focused on that particular issue and they’re doing great. So I think those three categories of really asset based asset light and software, those are all sources of winners when it comes to the world.

Greg White (14:23):

Yeah. There is a, a big and growing market and the market. I mean, the way the market grew largely, I mean, largely for those carriers that you talked about was not really market share capture as such. It was rate increases with the customers they had and the customers they acquired because their profits that drove their, their share price are legendary. Uh, in some cases like record historical historically right in the history of the companies and also these massive surcharges that they seem to be originally to be putting in for peak, but now have somehow survived peak. I think that is an opening for companies like bring and lift it. They can figure out a way to do it, uh, to do last mile more economically. I think they could take business off of these big carriers. I really wonder, have wondered. And I haven’t done any analysis to be fair to our community here, but I really have wondered whether we aren’t nearing the point where companies will wonder whether e-commerce is, is viable because the cost and the inability to assess the cost prior to delivery of shipment of last mile parcel is unknown.

Greg White (15:41):

It’s high and unknown, right? Sometimes you don’t know that you violated some surcharge until the delivery is actually made, uh, because of the complexity and the sheer breadth of these things. So I feel like that creates an opening for some of these companies that can be a little bit more transparent. That can be a little bit more agile, right. And certainly I believe are, are constructed for last mile in a way that hopefully is more economical than some of these big old parcel carriers.

Ben Gordon (16:11):

No, I think that’s right. I think that’s right. I think there is a value migration from the big asset based incumbents into the small software-based challengers. There’s no question that we’re seeing that. Totally there.

Greg White (16:23):

Anything else jump out at you. I mean, anything that really surprised you or that you want to make sure everyone takes away as a knowledge point from the conference?

Ben Gordon (16:34):

Yeah, I do. So if I look at some of the resulting trends that come out of the growth in e-commerce, I’d say, you know, one huge outcome is the last mile. I’ll go back and give you a screen share and show you a little more of the substance of, of, of what I mean. So if you think about it, when you dis-aggregate, what happens when you deliver something to a consumer’s house, you’ve got costs and warehousing, sorting parceling, last mile delivery, and then some other exhilarate spots, but 41% of that total cost is in the last mile. So companies that are focused on that are the beneficiaries, and that’s going to continue to be the case for several years to come. What’s interesting is when you look at the deal environment, whereas in 2013, 14, 15, you saw XPO making acquisitions like three PD and UX, but there wasn’t that much activity, things started to pick up in 2017.

Ben Gordon (17:29):

Target bought our friends at grand junction, but shipped and other handful of others. But look at what happened last year in 2020 forward air buying LENSTAR target Deliv, JB hunt, RDI, us pack, freight Costco and avail, and more that’s happened since then. It’s not on the page. So deal activity, because last is a big deal. So if you’re in the logistics world through a logistics company or a retailer, you need a last mile strategy and you need to figure out how to add more scale, more services, more technology, and more capabilities to that. I think that’s one huge theme. I think a second huge theme is the growth in reverse logistics. When you buy something and it gets returned, you know, reverse logistics, return rates for brick and mortar close to 8%. But online close to 25%, that’s driving a reverse logistics market growing in about 19% annually, same thing, every logistics company, retailer, and brand needs a reverse logistics strategy and plan.

Ben Gordon (18:27):

And then the last thing that I’ll say, and this is actually has nothing to do with e-commerce, but everything to do with 2021 is this was the year where the world realized that supply chain matters because it literally has been life and death. When it comes to things like distributing culture and vaccines. This was part of what came out of the conversation with the CEO of modernist, if I’m buying sell. So you think about the software and the services that support that cold chain monitoring is one proxy for, for, for this category. And if that was a $4.6 billion market last year, it should be over an $8 billion market in four years. And what’s striking is when you look at what people in the pharmaceutical industry say, most of them, I mean, look, 92% of them say they can’t a hundred percent trust the data coming in from their tracking products. So there is a pain point in the world of cold chain and logistics and supply chain companies can be part of the solution to address this need. So if I were going to pinpoint three things that that to me are key learnings that came out of our conference. Those would be the three.

Greg White (19:33):

Yeah. And of course the news previewed that a bit. I mean, of course Americold and lineage logistics were both very, very equivalent acquisitive last year, obviously my guess is in anticipation of the opportunity to distribute the vaccines and that sort of thing. But you’re right. Those are all very hot areas, including cold chain. And as you said, the world awakened to supply chain now bin, we don’t necessarily have to tell our third uncle Jim, what supply chain is, right. Chances are good that they already know when we sit down at the dinner table. So

Ben Gordon (20:10):

Yeah, yeah, absolutely. Absolutely.

Greg White (20:14):

So you put this on through BGSA right. Ben Gordon, strategic advisors, tell us a little bit about BGSA and Cambridge capital. So everybody understands how you play in the industry.

Ben Gordon (20:27):

Sure. So close to 20 years ago, I started an investment bank focused on transportation, logistics and supply chain technology. That firm is BG strategic advisors, and BGSA has worked at over 50 deals with giants like ups, FedEx, DHL could inaugural Shanker, Pennell, peanut agility, and others, and lots of other mid-sized high companies at the time, midsize companies like NFI, GENCO, new breed, all of whom have become much larger companies since then and a, and a variety of others. Uh, thanks to them. We played a small role helping them, but, but, uh, you know, when you, when you work with great companies and you help them, then, then the small ones become big ones. And then, uh, that, so that’s BGSA, and there’s a team of professional investment bankers on the BGSA side. Most recently, BGSA just sold a division of Werner. Uh Werner’s of course the multi-billion dollar trucking company were sold to freight forwarding division to scan global logistics.

Ben Gordon (21:23):

And the BGSA team was exclusive advisor to Werner on that. So, so they’re doing great. Cambridge capital is, is, is my private equity business. I started at close to a decade ago in the beginning, just for me to invest my own capital and prove that I could generate success then started to bring in partners, uh, and you know, continue to increase that business. We were an original investor in XPO with Brad Jacobs 10 years ago, back when it was an idea and an original platform, of course, now, now an $18 billion giant. Uh, we invested in grand junction, the e-commerce and last mile logistics, a tech company, which we ended up selling to target bring lifted green screens, host of others. So, so those are the two businesses I spend my time today focused on Cambridge capital, uh, and focused, exclusively on helping to identify great founders and provide them not just with money, but also with help, uh, along with a team of people that’s built major companies in and around the supply chain world.

Ben Gordon (22:24):

So for example, my partner ISA Al Sala was the CTO of agility. We work together 16 years ago and he built that to a $5 billion public company and then decided to move on and join us to focus on investing in helping other companies achieve that level of success. So operators who know what it’s like to build great businesses value, not just the money, but also that the help and the involvement. So those are the two parts to, to, to our business. This conference has been hosted by BGSA for 15 years running and really is, is the, the, the annual gathering for many of the best and brightest in the industry. Not all of them. And those, those that haven’t made. It are certainly welcome to come back and join us next year for every year, except for this past one in person in Palm beach, at the breakers. And certainly for me, a great place to learn. And I, I, I believe for most everybody,

Greg White (23:17):

Well, we’re all looking forward to be in person. The breakers would be a fantastic place, especially since we get to talk supply chain, which what could be more fun than that.

Ben Gordon (23:26):

Indeed. What could be more fun?

Greg White (23:28):

Well, I mean, it is serious. There are a ton of us geeks out there who really do love and get it. And frankly, I think probably much like you, I’m glad that supply chain has come to the forefront of companies, right? It was at once. It was an operations exercise. So you’ll make sure the stuff gets on the truck basically lumping, and then it was a necessary evil. And then it became a strategic, a strategic weapon. And now it is at the forefront of your brand equity and identity of your customer experience strategy and at the profit of the company. So it’s good that people recognize the value and frankly, that we’ve stepped up, we in the industry here have stepped up our game to really focus on and deliver those kinds of things as well. So I appreciate what you’re doing to expose all of that to the industry, to give opportunities to companies that are seeking funding or companies that are looking to expand, or just learn more about supply chain, where it has been, where it is and where it’s going, it’s a really valuable experience. So I appreciate you doing that.

Ben Gordon (24:32):

Thank you. Thank you. I appreciate it. So

Greg White (24:35):

As we wrap Ben, you know, so much about the industry, look, if, if someone isn’t, uh, is, um, looking for investing or involved in investing or seeking investment in the industry, whether they fit your company’s thesis or not, chances are good, they know of you. So I’d love for you to take some of the experience that you have in the industry. Some of the knowledge that you’ve acquired over the years and give a takeaway or two for our listeners. I mean, if there’s anything that they just absolutely must know about supply chain in this time, what would you say are the most important things for folks to think about?

Ben Gordon (25:11):

Well, I think it all depends on your vantage point. If you are building a company somewhere in supply chain, whether it’s on the tech side, the service side or the asset side, to me, number one thing that I think you should be thinking about is there are these huge macro forces in the industry right now, and they’re bigger than any one of us, you know, the growth in e-commerce the, the surgeon reverse logistics, e-commerce fulfillment last mile, uh, cold chain. These are macro trends. So figure out how to ride those trends as my friend and one of our operating partners, bill Conway likes to say, find a parade and get in front of it. And so, so I think that to me, that’s pretty good advice I found. So, so I think that’s number one, you’re building a business in the space, make sure the trends are behind you, that the wave is pushing you forward and that not, not about to crush you.

Ben Gordon (26:02):

I think that’s one, two is if you are a technology provider in this arena, it’s never been more exciting. There’s never been more growth. And there’s also never been more capital $4 billion poured into the freight tech sector in the last year. Also never been more competitive. And so sometimes there’s a risk that you are too aggressive and sometimes there’s a risk that you’re too conservative in this market. The winners in my view are not just going to be the ones that have the best solutions, but that also have the best resources now, resources. Isn’t just financial, it’s also human resources, right? So, you know, if you have two great, but one of them has 50 million behind them. And the other is five and one of them goes and recruits a board that includes several former CEOs from supply chain and the other doesn’t yes, what the first guy is going to win, right?

Ben Gordon (26:58):

The guy with more resources wins and you know, so, so my advice to the high growth tech companies that are looking at this arena is don’t be afraid to make the changes to make sure you’ve got those resources behind you. You can, you know, you can overdo it. I mean, you know, there is such a thing as raising too much money and in the end you become a prisoner of, of the money instead of, you know, focusing on a strategy. But, but don’t under-capitalized for the opportunity. And the third thing I would say is if you are at the enterprise side, you know, like you’re the chief supply chain officer at a fortune 500 company, I’d encourage you to think about how you can not only use great services, but also see further into the future. You know, something that ups did, which is something that I think every fortune 500 company, even though ups is logistics company and a shipper can, uh, can learn from is they set up something called the ups strategic enterprise fund, you know, our mutual friend and my operating partner, remiss capacities ran that.

Ben Gordon (27:58):

And what ups did is they said, we’re going to invest in companies for two reasons. We want financial returns, but we also want knowledge returns. Okay. So what does that mean? Well, it means that you want to be getting smarter about where’s the change going to take place in the market and what does it mean for you? And if you’re a large corporation and you do that, and it allows you to see further into the future, you’re going to make better decisions for your supply chain. So maybe you could make some strategic investments like ups did, or maybe you could at least partner with, uh, a growth capital firm that can give you access to the things that they’re seeing, or maybe there’s another way, but one way or the other, put yourself in a position where you’re not just working with supply chain companies, but you’re also looking into the future to make sure that you also are in front of the wave and buffeted by that instead of threatened by it

Greg White (28:49):

Ride that wave, don’t be ashamed. You know, the wave exists for a reason and that’s because there is significant market need out there. So, yeah, and I think that’s really, really good guidance, as you said, the best resources be they fiscal or human or whatever they win. So I think that’s great guidance. All right. So I really appreciate your time. Of course, I know your time is valuable and we had maybe the slightest technical glitch when the power went out here as we started. So I appreciate your patience there as well. Finally, how can our community get in touch with you?

Ben Gordon (29:24):

Well, you can reach me on LinkedIn. Um, I’m pretty visible. And, and, uh, as a guy who likes to write about logistics and supply chain, so feel free to reach out. My LinkedIn handle is Ben Gordon 18. You can come to my website at Cambridge capital, Cambridge capital.com. You can email me@benatcambridgecapital.com, or you can follow me on Twitter handle Benjamin H. Gordon, but one way or the other I’m reachable. Like you, I’m a busy guy, but if you have a real idea, uh, and you share it with me, I promise you I’ll respond to the 24.

Greg White (29:58):

I can vouch for that excellent response. I don’t know how you do it, but you’re very responsive and always on top of things. So I really appreciate it. A big thanks, Dan. I really, really do appreciate your time. Thanks for joining us on tequila, sunrise. I think this is your second maybe. And you got a repeat episode as well. So in fact, I think your episode is probably the most popular tequila sunrise of all times. So let’s see if we can build on that.

Ben Gordon (30:25):

Well, we got to go to, to beat for next time then there we go.

Greg White (30:29):

Yeah. Thank you, Ben. Appreciate it. Ben Gordon, managing partner and CEO, Cambridge capital and BG strategic advisors. Thank you for joining us.

Ben Gordon (30:37):

Thank you, Greg. Always a pleasure

Greg White (30:45):

Tequila, sunrise, as part of the supply chain. Now network the voice of supply chain featuring the people technologies best practices, key issues in the industry. And Hey, listen up to build your supply chain knowledge. Listen to get this supply chain is boring or Chris bonds connection to the who’s, who that got supply chain, where we are point as to where we’re going and take us to the next level or check out this week in business history with supply chain. Now his own Scott Luton to learn more about everyday things you may take for granted and pick up quick insights you can use as inspiration and conversation starters. I logistics with purpose series puts a spotlight on inspiring and successful organizations that give first give forward as their business model. If you’re interested in transportation, freight and logistics, have a listen to the logistics and beyond series with the adapt and thrive mindset, Sherpa, Jaymin Alvidrez, and also check out tech talk hosted by industry bet and Atlanta zone Kerryn bursa supply chain pro to know of 2020, where Korean discusses the people, processes and technology of digital supply chain for sponsorship information on tequila, sunrise, or any supply chain.

Greg White (32:03):

Now show DME on Twitter or instagram@gregoryswhiteoremailmeatgregatsupplychainnow.com. Thanks again for spending your time with me and remember acknowledge reality, but never be bound by it.

Featured Guests

Ben Gordon draws on a career spent building supply chain and technology companies. As CEO of BGSA Holdings, Benjamin led the firm’s efforts, advising on over $1 billion worth of supply chain transactions. Benjamin has worked with firms such as UPS, DHL, Kuehne & Nagel, Agility Logistics, NFI Logistics, GENCO, Nations Express, Raytrans, Echo Global, Dixie, Wilpak, and others. Prior to BGSA Holdings, Ben founded 3PLex, the Internet solution enabling third-party logistics companies to automate their business. Benjamin raised $28 million from blue-chip investors including Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, BancBoston Ventures, CNF, and Ionian. 3PLex was then purchased by Maersk. Prior to 3PLex, Benjamin advised transportation and logistics clients at Mercer Management Consulting. Prior to Mercer, Benjamin worked in his family’s transportation business, AMI, where he helped the company expand its logistics operations. Benjamin is an active civic leader who is committed to giving back to the community. As founder and chairman of GesherCity, he boosted young adult volunteerism, expanding the organization to over 100,000 members in twenty locations. Benjamin has also served on the Boards of several non-profit groups, including the Palm Beach United Way, the Palm Beach Federation, the Palm Beach Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO), the JDC, the JCCA, the Middle East Forum, and various other community organizations. Benjamin received a Masters in Business Administration from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale College.

Hosts

Greg White

Principal & Host

You May Also Like

Click to view other episodes in this program

Additional Links & Resources

Subscribe to TECHquila Sunrise and ALL Supply Chain Now Programming Here

Leave a review for Supply Chain Now

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn

Connect with Ben on LinkedIn

Supply Chain Now Ranked #3 Supply Chain YouTube Channel

Learn more about Cambridge Capital

Learn more about BG Strategic Advisors

Download the Q4 2020 U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index

“Transforming Supply Chains to Make a Positive Impact on the World Around Us” Webinar with Kinaxis and Mars Digital Technologies

“Proven Success Panel Group Purchasing in Action” Webinar with OMNIA Partners

Learn more about our HIghlighted Non-Profit Making it Happen for Q1, Truckers Against Trafficking

Check Out Our Sponsors

Kristi Porter

Host, Logistics with Purpose

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

Connect on :

Kim Reuter

Host

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

Connect on :

Sofia Rivas Herrera

Host, Supply Chain Now en Espanol

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

Connect on :

Demo Perez

Host, Supply Chain Now en Espanol

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.

Connect on :

Kim Winter

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).

Connect on :

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.

Connect on :

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.

Connect on :

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.

Connect on :

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.

Connect on :

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.

Connect on :

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.

Connect on :

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).

Connect on :

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.

Connect on :

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!

Connect on :

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.

Connect on :

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.

Connect on :

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.

Connect on :

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.

Connect on :

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

Connect on :

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. 

Connect on :

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.

Connect on :

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.

Connect on :

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.

Connect on :

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.

Connect on :

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.

Connect on :

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!

Connect on :

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.

Connect on :

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.

Connect on :

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’.

Connect on :

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.

Connect on :

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.

Connect on :

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.

Connect on :

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.

Connect on :

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.

Connect on :

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.

Connect on :

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.

Connect on :

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.

Connect on :

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.

Connect on :

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.

Connect on :

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.

Connect on :