Tennessee on Supply Chain Management

For the first episode of 2025, co-hosts Ted Stank and Tom Goldsby spoke with UT Knoxville experts Huseyn Abdulla and Seongkyoon Jeong about their research in the areas of returns management and supply chain cybersecurity. Assistant professors and esteemed scholars in their disciplines, Abdulla and Jeong’s insights are a deep dive into the challenges and innovations shaping supply chain management. Among other points, Abdulla explains how retailers balance the growing demand for customer-friendly return policies with environmental and financial sustainability, while Jeong discusses the rising risk of cyberattacks in an increasingly data-driven world. Listen in as our hosts also delve into consumer sentiment, holiday spending, the trade implications of the new Trump administration, collaborations between Hyundai and Amazon, and much more. The episode was recorded virtually on January 17, 2025. Related links:  U.S. shoppers set record for holiday spending in 2024 Logistics industry growth slowed in December, per Logistics Managers Index report Trump orders trade review ahead of potential tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China Hyundai begins selling vehicles on Amazon Autos U.S. consumers ‘resilient and strong’ in face of high prices and interest rates Read Huseyn Abdulla’s article in The Conversation about consumer backlash when retailers change their return policies, and his study published in the Journal of Operations Management Read Seongkyoon Jeong’s blogs on cybersecurity risks and three types of cyberattacks affecting supply chains  Register for SCM Academies in Leadership, Finance, and Planning Read our latest white paper, “Unlocking the Potential of the Gen XYZ Labor Force” Register for the Supply Chain Forum, April 8–10 in Knoxville Subscribe to GSCI’s monthly newsletter Read the latest news and insights from GSCIText the Tennessee on Supply Chain Management team!

For our December episode, co-hosts Ted Stank and Tom Goldsby spoke with Marianne Wanamaker, dean of UT's Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs and a professor of economics and public policy.  Wanamaker, who served as the chief domestic economist for the White House Council of Economic Advisors during the first Trump administration, is a recurring guest on the podcast and at meetings of the GSCI Advisory Board, where executives look to her for insights into the U.S. labor market.  In our final recording of 2024, she addressed the U.S. presidential election, the threat of tariffs and inflation, the negotiating tactics of president-elect Donald Trump, business relationships with Mexico and China, immigration, and much more.   The episode was recorded virtually on December 3, 2024. Related links: November Logistics Manager’s Index shows continued growth Discounts and deals led to a Black Friday and Cyber Monday that exceeded expectations Farm industry warns Trump’s deportation plans could upend food supply What the last Trump tariffs did per experts Is the U.S. national debt of $35 trillion putting global economy at risk? Read our latest white paper, "Unlocking the Potential of the Gen XYZ Labor Force," released at the forum. Listen to previous episodes featuring Wanamaker in December 2021, March 2022, and July 2022.  Wanamaker on the future of the supply chain workforce for Zero100 podcast Save the Date for the April 2025 Supply Chain Forum, April 8–10 in Knoxville Become a Supply Chain Forum member Subscribe to GSCI’s monthly newsletter Read the latest news and insights from GSCI Text the Tennessee on Supply Chain Management team!

For our November episode, co-hosts Ted Stank and Tom Goldsby were live at the Fall 2024 Supply Chain Forum, where they spoke with Robert Martichenko, board chair for TrailPath Workplace Solutions, and Sunland Logistics Solutions' CEO Arch Thomason and VP of Human Resources Diane Lowman.With fundamental forces, from population demographics to shifting societal attitudes, shifting the nature of work and the relationships between people and their employers, the challenge of attracting, recruiting, developing, and retaining talent is greater than ever. Our guests provide an in-depth case study for how they've partnered to build a Meaningful Employment Environment where trust has been established, fundamental needs are being met, the environment is participative, and the work is meaningful.These are the kinds of relevant projects being tackled by University of Tennessee partners and shared through our extensive networks. Learn more about becoming a member of our renowned Supply Chain Forum today.The episode was recorded live at the Marriott Knoxville Downtown on November 13, 2024. Watch a video of the episode.Related links: Listen to our Season 1 episode featuring Robert Martichenko, "Is Lean Dead?"Read our latest white paper, "Unlocking the Potential of the Gen XYZ Labor Force," released at the forum.Listen to our Season 2 episode with Sunland's Chief Customer Officer Elijah Ray, "It's All About People."Become a Supply Chain Forum member Learn about SCM Academy programs, including upcoming virtual courses on Leadership (Jan. 29–May 6), Finance (March 3–April 27), and Planning (March 17–May 11)Subscribe to GSCI’s monthly newsletter Read the latest news and insights from GSCI Text the Tennessee on Supply Chain Management team!

For the first episode of our third season, co-hosts Ted Stank and Tom Goldsby speak with Haslam College of Business lecturer Paul Fortunato and partners from his Supply Chain Project Management (SCM 430) course at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Fortunato, a former executive with Dow Chemical Company, invited Lori Maurer, director of the center for supply chain excellence, and Riley Clayton, logistics and supply chain manager, from Albemarle to talk with Ted and Tom about the corporation’s three-year involvement in his course.UT’s top-ranked supply chain management programs are held up by their real-world relevance and the close work with corporate partners such as Albemarle, a leading provider of lithium, bromine, and other essential chemical elements.Don’t miss this exciting discussion on talent identification, university and business collaborations, and real-world supply chain challenges addressed by UT students. To open the episode, our hosts also talk about the impact of U.S. port strikes, economic growth numbers, the upcoming presidential election, and more! Is your company interested in partnering with the University of Tennessee? Learn more about becoming a member of our renowned Supply Chain Forum. The episode was recorded virtually on October 28. Related links: The U.S. economy remains engine of global growth in latest IMF forecasts Election-year effect: scenarios that could impact the supply chain Don Maier on understanding the impact of organized labor on the U.S. supply chain For the fifth year, UT ranked No. 1 in the SEC and No. 4 nationally for SCM programs by U.S. News and World Report Register for the Fall 2024 Supply Chain Forum, Nov. 12–14 in Knoxville Become a Supply Chain Forum member Subscribe to GSCI’s monthly newsletter Read the latest news and insights from GSCI Text the Tennessee on Supply Chain Management team!

In between Seasons 2 and 3, co-hosts Ted Stank and Tom Goldsby were at the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) Conference, where they caught up with Kate Vitasek, a GSCI Fellow and internationally renowned business leader, educator, and founder of Vested, a model for creating highly collaborative business relationships in which both parties are equally committed to each other’s success. Vitasek and her Vested model were nominated for the CSCMP Supply Chain Innovation and Teaching Innovation awards. Later this month, she will operate back-to-back courses on UT’s campus: Vested Executive Education (Oct. 28-30) and Collaborative Contracting (Oct. 31-Nov. 1). She also offers virtual courses and opportunities worldwide. You won’t want to miss out! ***Vitasek is offering a full scholarship to Ports and their management to send a group to Knoxville to attend either course*** The episode was recorded live on September 30, 2024, during the CSCMP Edge Conference in Nashville, Tennessee. Related links:  Learn more about Kate Vitasek and the Vested business model Download Vitasek’s full library of white papers and case studies in English, Spanish, French, Swedish, Dutch, and Portuguese Dockworkers go on strike, snarling traffic at East and Gulf Coast ports Hurricane Helene may devastate tech and health supply chains Register for the Fall 2024 Supply Chain Forum, Nov. 12–14 in Knoxville  Become a Supply Chain Forum member  Download GSCI’s latest white papers for free  Subscribe to GSCI’s monthly newsletter  Read the latest news and insights from GSCI Text the Tennessee on Supply Chain Management team!

In the final episode of Season 2, co-hosts Ted Stank and Tom Goldsby speak with Elijah Ray, chief customer officer of Sunland Logistics Solutions about the evolution of third-party logistics, the importance of company culture, employee retention, and creating trust with clients. With nearly four decades of experience in logistics and supply chain management, Ray has contributed to a culture of continuous improvement and big-name brand engagement at Sunland. He is a member-at-large and former president of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. Don’t miss this exciting discussion on great workplace environments, thriving business partnerships, creating value for both parties, leading with care, and more. The interview with Elijah Ray starts at 5:40.The episode was recorded on August 15, 2024, during the GSCI Advisory Board meeting at the Haslam College of Business. Related links: US unemployment claims fall in sign of resiliency in job market Inflation dipped in July, Fed expected to cut interest rates Canada rail strike, lockouts slated to start this week Register for the Fall 2024 Supply Chain Forum, Nov. 12–14 in Knoxville Become a Supply Chain Forum member Download our latest white papers for free Subscribe to GSCI’s monthly newsletter Read the latest news and insights from GSCI Text the Tennessee on Supply Chain Management team!

For our July episode, co-hosts Ted Stank and Tom Goldsby speak with Dave Clark, former CEO of worldwide consumer business for Amazon. In two decades at Amazon, Clark, a graduate of UT’s MBA program, helped build one of the most extensive supply chain operations in the world, with hundreds of fulfillment centers and transportation facilities, a fleet of several dozen dedicated aircraft, 100,000 delivery vans, and more than 1.5 million employees. Clark is a member of the American Red Cross Board of Governors and served as CEO of Flexport from 2022 to 2023. He is regularly sought out for his expertise in tackling logistics issues related to national security and global affairs. Don’t miss this exciting discussion on the evolution of Amazon’s consumer business as well as current warehousing trends, the state of the economy, retail consumer habits and expectations, and much more. The episode was recorded virtually on July 8, 2024. Related links: How consumer demands drive warehousing trends Ocean freight rates are spiking again Inflation continues to slow in the U.S. opening door to Fed rate cut U.S. labor market adds 206,000 jobs, unemployment rises to 4.1% Amazon plans to launch discount store to fend off Temu and Shein Gartner ranks UT’s graduate SCM programs No. 1 in North America Read/watch Dave Clark’s fireside chat at UT’s Haslam College in April Become a Supply Chain Forum member Subscribe to GSCI’s monthly newsletter Read the latest news and insights from GSCI Text the Tennessee on Supply Chain Management team!

For our June episode, co-hosts Ted Stank and Tom Goldsby speak with University of Tennessee colleagues Joe Buckley executive education director for supply chain management, and Dan Pellathy, assistant professor of practice for SCM.  Buckley, who spent three decades in industry (including seven years as director of materials management and transportation for the Tennessee Valley Authority), is the mastermind behind UT’s highly acclaimed virtual learning academies. After the success of the Leadership and Finance academies, he and Pellathy collaborated on the Planning academy launching Fall 2024 and are working on a Procurement academy for 2025. More than 1,500 students, ranging from managers to VPs, across every industry have participated since the first Leadership academy was launched three years ago. In this conversation, they discuss talent development efforts, the mid-level manager crunch, pairing hard- and soft-skill development for emerging leaders, delivering education flexibly and in digestible forms for busy professionals, and more.  Ted and Tom also talk about the reopening of the Port of Baltimore, the Container Port Performance Index Global Ranking of Container Ports, labor scarcity and automation, and more.  The episode was recorded virtually on June 11, 2024. Related links: Baltimore’s busy port fully reopens after bridge collapse The Port of Charleston (53) is the top U.S.-ranked port, ahead of Philadelphia (55), Miami (74), and Boston (75), in CPPI’s 2023 rankings Potential strikes at East Coast and Gulf ports threaten further disruption Sudden container crunch sends ocean freight rates soaring Understanding America’s labor shortage: state-by-state analysis Tom Goldsby on the Dynamo Future of Supply Chain podcast discussing the complexities of global trade and logistics Learn more about SCM Talent Development programs at UT Download (free) Dan Pellathy’s white paper on supply chain planning talent development and leadership Become a Supply Chain Forum member Subscribe to GSCI’s monthly newsletter Read the Text the Tennessee on Supply Chain Management team!

For our May episode, co-hosts Ted Stank and Tom Goldsby speak with Martha Buffington, chief procurement officer for SC Johnson, about all aspects of effective business leadership. They touch on company culture in global organizations, advancing your career and finding success during times of transition, the importance of empowerment over delegation to drive team achievement, balancing double standards for female leaders, and more. A member of the GSCI Advisory Board, Buffington spent more than two decades with Coca-Cola, rising to the position of chief procurement officer for its Bottling Investments Group before transitioning into senior procurement positions with DSM in the Netherlands. She joined SC Johnson, a Supply Chain Forum member, in 2022. Listen in as our hosts discuss current consumer sentiment, import numbers and new tariffs, the latest in rail transportation in North America, the Port of Baltimore’s removal of the cargo ship Dali, and much more. The episode was recorded virtually on May 13, 2024. Related links: US consumer sentiment at six-month low, inflation expectations rise Cargo ship Dali that struck Port of Baltimore being removed Canada seeks ruling on mandatory shipments during potential rail strike US plans to impose major tariffs on EVs, other Chinese green energy imports Container import volumes rise in rebound after China's Lunar New Year How women manage the gendered forms of leadership Become a Supply Chain Forum member Subscribe to GSCI’s monthly newsletter Read the latest news and insights from GSCI Text the Tennessee on Supply Chain Management team!

For our April episode, co-hosts Ted Stank and Tom Goldsby were live at the Spring 2024 Supply Chain Forum speaking with Peter Anderson, chief supply chain officer for WestRock, and Jeff DiLullo, chief region leader for Philips North America.Both Anderson and DiLullo are senior industry leaders and members of the GSCI Advisory Board. Together with our hosts, they discuss all aspects of sustainability in the supply chain, including carbon footprint, scope emissions, regulatory practices and their influence, technological innovations, and more. The episode was recorded live at the Marriott Knoxville Downtown on April 10, 2024. Watch the video of the episode. Related links: U.S. economy adds 303,000 jobs in March, unemployment down to 3.8% Inventory expansion, more efficient us of warehousing and transportation drive economic activity in logistics sector Inflation remains a concern as March consumer prices come in above expectations Manufacturing activity contracts in February following 2.5 years of growth Sustainability at WestRock Sustainability at Philips Professor Alex Scott talks sustainable logistics and future-proofing supply chains on the Sustainable Supply Chain podcast Become a Supply Chain Forum member Subscribe to GSCI’s monthly newsletter Read the latest news and insights from GSCI Text the Tennessee on Supply Chain Management team!

For our March episode, co-hosts Ted Stank and Tom Goldsby spoke with father-and-son supply chain researchers Dale Rogers and Zac Rogers, the proprietors of the Logistics Managers’ Index, about diversifying supply chains, global redesign, friendshoring, and much more. Dale is the ON Semiconductor Professor of Business at Arizona State University, where he directs the Frontier Economies Logistics Lab and the Internet Edge Supply Chain Lab. Like Ted, he is a member of the Supply Chain Hall of Fame and the recipient of numerous awards and grants. He is a leading researcher in reverse logistics, sustainable supply chain management, supply chain finance, and secondary markets. Zac is an associate professor of operations and supply chain management at Colorado State University. His primary research areas include the financial impact of supply chain sustainability, emerging logistics technologies, and supply chain cybersecurity. To start the episode, Ted and Tom discussed the positive February jobs report, consumer sentiment, the impact of the election cycle, manufacturing activity, international trade, and more. The episode was recorded remotely on March 8, 2024.Related links: U.S. added 275,000 jobs in February but unemployment rate climbs Inflation rate ticks up to 3.2%, hotter than expected Consumer sentiment retreats slightly in FebruarySEC approves rule requiring companies to report greenhouse gas emissions No end in sight to Red Sea shipping diversions Manufacturing activity contracts in February following 2.5 years of growth Attend the 2024 Spring Supply Chain Forum in Knoxville (partners only)Subscribe to GSCI’s monthly newsletter Read the latest news and insights from GSCI Text the Tennessee on Supply Chain Management team!

For our February episode, co-host Ted Stank was joined by guest host Lance Saunders, associate professor of supply chain management. They spoke with Jen Kelly, vice president of planning for North America at Schneider Electric, about shortening supply chains, nearshoring and supplier capacity challenges, adding visibility into planning, generative AI for forecasting, and standardizing practice across a global organization. Kelly was in town for a meeting of the GSCI Advisory Board. Schneider Electric, ranked by Gartner as No. 1 for best supply chain in 2023, is a longtime partner of the Supply Chain Forum and a member of the Advanced Supply Chain Collaborative, which brings together industry professionals and UT faculty to tackle issues of critical importance to the discipline. To start the episode, Ted and Lance discussed U.S. job growth, freight surges, disruption of global trade, regulatory constraints, tensions with China, and much more. The episode was recorded on February 8, 2024.CORRECTION: At 11:05 in the episode, our host says that Target acquired Whole Foods. It was Amazon that purchased Whole Foods in a $13.7 billion deal in June 2017. Related links:Job growth surges in the U.S., 353,00 jobs added in January US container import volumes surge amid global supply chain challenges Mortgage rates jump back over 7 percent Consumer sentiment races to two-and-a-half year high Why are the Houthis attacking Red Sea ships Walmart growing, adding 150 stores across US China’s 17-year run as top source of US imports ends Mexico rises Download our latest white paper on Advanced Supply Chain PlanningRegister for the SCM Finance Academy Subscribe to GSCI’s monthly newsletter Read the latest news and insights from GSCIText the Tennessee on Supply Chain Management team!

In our January episode, Ted Stank and Tom Goldsby speak with maritime expert Don Maier about the state of international shipping, including shifts in trade lanes, the challenges of forecasting and capital planning, and the industry impact of issues from the Panama Canal to bubbling international conflicts.Before joining UT’s faculty as an associate professor of practice, Maier served as dean for the Maine Maritime and Cal Maritime Academies. As the founding dean of the School of Maritime Transportation, Logistics, & Management at California State University-Maritime Academy, he oversaw programs in marine transportation, international logistics, and naval science. He serves on advisory boards for the International Association of Maritime and Port Executives and the Containerization & Intermodal Institute.In their opening recap, Ted and Tom also discuss holiday season spending, reports on U.S. jobs and manufacturing, and more.This episode was recorded on January 5, 2024.Related links:Americans spent a record $222 billion shopping online this holiday seasonMajor retailers offering returnless refunds this holiday seasonU.S. employers add 216,000 jobs in a sign of continued economic growthManufacturing increased in December while warehouse availability surges to highest levels since pandemic Congressional leaders reach a deal to avert shutdownRed Sea attacks pose another threat to global economyPanama Canal enmeshed in a crisis disrupting global tradeDon Maier writes in The Conversation about global shipping climate strategyProgress on U.S.-Mexico rail-ferry serviceChina names a new naval chief as maritime tensions climbSubscribe to GSCI’s monthly newsletterRead the latest news and insights from GSCIRegister for the 2024 SCM Leadership Academy or SCM Finance AcademyText the Tennessee on Supply Chain Management team!

In this month’s episode, Ted Stank and Tom Goldsby speak with three business leaders who recently graduated from the Executive MBA for Global Supply Chain (EMBA-GSC) in UT’s Haslam College of Business. They discuss their paths into the industry and the fine details of the program, including how it has brought value to their current roles at their companies and developed both their supply chain knowledge and leadership skills in just 11 months.Guests featured in this episode:Hans von Steiger, Director and Team Leader of Clinical Supply Strategy and ManagementPatricia Covington, Executive Director of Global Integrated AftermarketRebecca Ann Perreault, Director of Global Capabilities and ComplianceTed and Tom also discuss holiday inventory and spending, consumer confidence, the state of the labor market, inflation and housing, backlogs at the Panama Canal, and more.The episode was recorded at the Haslam College of Business on December 11, 2023.Related links:By the numbers: Black Friday and Cyber Monday achieved record salesHoliday inventory is balanced, no concern over stockouts or overstocks, per NRFConsumer confidence ticks up in November after months of declineQ3 growth rate for GDP was fastest since fourth quarter of 2021Solid US job growth, drop in unemployment underscore labor market resilienceConsumer return fraud a growing concern for retailersLogistics Manager’s Index Report for November 2023Panama Canal drought to delay shipments into 2024Watch: Why the EMBA-GSC makes sense for senior supply chain leadersLearn about the Executive MBA for Global Supply Chain (EMBA-GSC)Register for the 2024 SCM Leadership Academy or SCM Finance Academy Subscribe to GSCI’s monthly newsletterRead the latest news and insights from GSCIText the Tennessee on Supply Chain Management team!

In this month’s episode, Ted Stank and Tom Goldsby speak with Jim Newsome, former president and CEO of the South Carolina Ports Authority, at the 27th Supply Chain Forum.The episode was recorded in front of a live audience on November 7, 2023, in Knoxville, Tennessee.Newsome (‘76, ‘77) earned both a bachelor’s and MBA in transportation and logistics from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, before embarking on a more than 40-year career in container ships, ports, and international transportation. He was recently named the 2023 Distinguished Alum by the Haslam College of Business. At the forum, the Global Supply Chain Institute also recognized him as a Distinguished Fellow.Listen as our co-hosts speak with Newsome about his work as an executive at South Carolina Ports, cast a vision for the future of supply chain management, and discuss visibility, sourcing, the labor market, and the evolution of UT’s business education from transportation to today’s highly regarded end-to-end supply chain management model.Watch a video version of this podcast on YouTube.Related links:U.S. economic growth accelerated to 4.9% last quarterDomestic manufacturing output rose in September.Container imports continue rising, outpacing pre-pandemic levelsLabor market added 150,000 jobs in October, shows signs of coolingHoliday spending outlook is sluggish across retailersUnited Auto Workers secure historic contractsAlan Amling in FreightWaves on the unintended consequences of the UPS-Teamsters agreementWhat is hydrogen energy, and can it help fight climate change?Jim Newsome honored with the 2023 Distinguished Alum Award from the Haslam College of BusinessSC Ports’ record numbers in 2020 and 2021Drought saps the Panama Canal, disrupting global tradeChina exports decline, takeaways from September dataSC Ports handle Text the Tennessee on Supply Chain Management team!

For the second episode of Season 2, Ted Stank and Tom Goldsby speak with Terry Esper, professor of logistics at Ohio State University and Chair Elect for CSCMP, and Tom Nightingale, CEO of AFS Logistics and chairman of the board for CSCMP. They discuss professional development in the supply chain industry and highlight the paradigm shifts in organizational structures and talent acquisition strategies. Listen as Nightingale shares the latest initiatives by CSCMP, the growing trend of corporate memberships, the importance of local round tables, and the future of supply chain education. From the changing dynamics of professional organizations to the strategic engagement of CSCMP members, this episode is loaded with actionable insights that will redefine your understanding of the industry.Listen in as our co-hosts also discuss the near government shutdown, UAW strike, low water levels in the Panama Canal and Mississippi River, the Iran oil agreements, and more.Related LinksUAW strike newsLMI high-water markLow water levels in the Panama CanalTom Goldsby on the United Auto Workers strike’s roots in AI and ramifications for auto logisticsUT Haslam’s Ted Stank Honored with Supply Chain Hall of Fame InductionLearn more about ASF LogisticsYellow Logistics files for bankruptcy Learn more about CSCMP's roundtablesUT's Executive MBA for Global Supply Chain degree programUT's Masters in Supply Chain Management Online degree programSubscribe to GSCI’s monthly newsletterLatest news and insights from the GSCI teamText the Tennessee on Supply Chain Management team!

For the first episode of Season 2, Ted Stank and Tom Goldsby speak with Denis Reilly, president and CEO of Kenco Group, a logistics provider based in Chattanooga, Tennessee. They discuss innovating, automating, and driving productivity even in the midst of a labor shortage. Denis, a member of the GSCI Advisory Board, also shared his approach to developing talent and what it’ll take to succeed as a senior leader in the future.Beyond the interview, listen in as Ted and Tom discuss consumer confidence reports, unemployment figures, the state of the current job market, economic projections for the remainder of 2023, and more. Related links:Consumer confidence wanes with high prices and a cooling job marketFed, economists make course correction on US recession predictionsWhat holiday shopping could look like in 2023Hiring settles into low gear as August unemployment rose to 3.8%Labor unions pushing for raises and better hoursTom Goldsby on the United Auto Workers strike’s roots in AI and ramifications for auto logisticsGen Z reconsidering the value of college degreesRead about Kenco’s Innovation Test LabListen to the Season 2 trailer and most popular episodes from the first seasonSubscribe to GSCI’s monthly newsletterLatest news and insights from the GSCI teamText the Tennessee on Supply Chain Management team!

Hosted by the dynamic duo of Ted Stank and Tom Goldsby, Tennessee on Supply Chain Management will launch its second season later this month with a high-level discussion on innovation, automation, and driving productivity with Kenco Group President and CEO Denis Reilly. Prepare for a new slate of informative, insightful, and entertaining episodes with this teaser episode and relive the best from our first season below.Most popular episodes from Season 1:Delivering Hope for the Supply Chain Marathon with Pfizer VP Dr. Michael Ku (Ep. 13)Is LEAN Dead? (Ep. 4)How to Build a More Sustainable Supply Chain with Philips' Jeff DiLullo (Ep. 15)Growing into Leadership with Caterpillar VP Wendi Gentry-Stuenkel (Ep. 19)Will the Port Snarl Affect Santa's Deliveries? (Ep. 1)Learn more about GSCI and how our academic and talent development programs can benefit supply chain professionals and business leaders from early career to the C-suite at our website. Latest articles and insights explaining what’s trending in the industry:The implications of the Teamsters Union contract with UPSThe importance of companies building agile relationships with external stakeholdersMaking sense of the latest sustainability reporting requirements for the transportation industry.Text the Tennessee on Supply Chain Management team!

For the final episode of the podcast’s first season, our co-hosts split responsibilities in light of Ted Stank being named the winner of this year’s Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) Distinguished Service Award, earning him a place in the Supply Chain Hall of Fame.Tom Goldsby interviews Ted about the two decades he has spent pioneering supply chain management education at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, setting the standard for how universities can collaborate with industry to reap maximum benefits. Ted shares his journey into logistics and supply chain management from his time as an operations officer in the United States Navy, how he’s seen the field evolve, and the most significant achievements of his long and storied career. Ted currently serves as the co-executive director of the Global Supply Chain Institute and leads the Advanced Supply Chain Collaborative, a joint initiative between UT and leading Fortune 500 partner firms to explore advanced concepts in the discipline.Beyond the interview, Ted and Tom discuss the implications of the UPS-Teamsters agreement, Yellow Freight’s closure, record-sitting e-commerce numbers, global challenges to supply chains in China, Ukraine, India, and more.Related links:Alan Amling on the early takeaways from UPS-Teamsters Union’s tentative agreement. UPS cuts 2023 forecasts, fights to regain business lost during US labor talksYellow Freight, third-largest small-freight trucking company in the U.S., ceases operations187,000 jobs added in July as unemployment falls to 3.5%Chinese imports down 24 percent; Mexico becomes U.S. top trading partnerAmazon touts ‘biggest ever’ Prime Day, online sales surge to $12.7 billionWhat does Amazon’s solid Q2 mean for Target and Walmart?Ukraine-Russia war disrupts shipments of grain and oil, threatens food and energy marketsIndia suspends rice exports, risking global food crisisTed discusses his career and the evolution of SCM education with European Business Review.Latest news and insights from the GSCI team.Text the Tennessee on Supply Chain Management team!

In our July episode, co-hosts Ted Stank and Tom Goldsby are joined by professor John Bell, department head for supply chain management in the Haslam College of Business, to discuss economic competition between the United States and China, the sourcing of rare earth elements essential for producing electronics and other technologies, and the growth of the University of Tennessee’s top-ranked supply chain programs. Bell, who was recently named the John “Red” Dove Professor of Supply Chain Management, was a career maintenance and logistics officer in the United States Air Force. As a supply chain researcher, he is considered an authority in the areas of supply chain strategy, resource scarcity, hazardous material transportation, and logistics with publications in prominent journals, including the Journal of Business Logistics, Transportation Journal, Advanced Engineering Informatics, and the International Journal of Physical Distribution and Logistics Management. This year, Bell has written a series of articles for GSCI exploring the understudied and misunderstood processes for sourcing natural resources used as raw materials by the industries that make the products we buy every day. Listen as Ted and Tom discuss slowing inflation, the delivery challenges posed by strikes and potential strikes in Canada and the U.S., nearshoring of manufacturing to Mexico, and more.Note: Ted was recently honored with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) Distinguished Service Award, earning him a place in the Supply Chain Hall of Fame alongside such innovators as Jeff Bezos, Henry Ford, and former UT professor Tom Mentzer. Stay tuned for our next episode in which Tom interviews Ted to get his take on receiving the award.Related links:Inflation rose just 0.2% in June as consumers get a break from price increasesU.S. service sector picks up as inflation slows, ISM survey showsFederal Reserve closing in on end of rate hike cycleCarriers divert ships from Canada’s strike-hit west coast portsGSCI Fellow Alan Amling’s five key questions and answers from UPS-Teamsters negotiations New restrictions at the Panama Canal due threaten the future of the shipping routeUS nearshoring wave grows as Mexico exports jump close to recordTension between China, U.S., Russia and Ukraine threatens global economic growthText the Tennessee on Supply Chain Management team!