Speaker Series
Our club is privileged to have experts in their field speak to us at our luncheons. Below is an archive of recent speakers.
Oct 2011:Theodore P. Stank, PhD.
Dr. Ted Stank is the Harry J. and Vivienne R. Bruce Chair of Excellence in Business in the Department of Marketing and Logistics at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. He assumed the Bruce Chair following nearly six years in a variety of administrative positions in the College of Business Administration, including Department Head for Marketing and Logistics, Associate Dean for Academic Programs, and Associate Dean of the Center for Executive Education. Prior to arriving at UT, he served as Associate Professor in the Department of Marketing and Supply Chain Management at Michigan State University, joining the MSU faculty as an Assistant Professor in 1997. He was also an Assistant Professor on the faculty at Iowa State University (1995-1997) and at the University of Texas at El Paso (1994-1995). He holds a Ph.D. in Marketing and Distribution from The University of Georgia, an M.A. in Business Administration from Webster University, and a B.S. from the United States Naval Academy.
Dr. Stank’s business background includes sales and marketing experience as an employee of Abbott Laboratories Diagnostic Division. He also served as an officer in the United States Navy prior to his industry and academic experience. He has performed consulting and executive education services for over 50 organizations, including Dell, EDS, Kellogg’s, IBM, Lowe’s, Norfolk Southern, OfficeMax, Pepsi, Siemens, Sony, Textron, Walmart, Whirlpool, and the U.S. Marine Corps. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP). He also serves as Educational Advisor to the Health and Personal Care Logistics Conference. He is Associate Editor for the Journal of Business Logistics and serves on the editorial review board of Journal of Operations Management, Transportation Journal and International Journal of Physical Distribution and Logistics Management.
Dr. Stank’s research focuses on the strategic implications and performance benefits associated with logistics and supply chain management best practices. He is author of over 80 articles in academic and professional journals including Journal of Business Logistics, Journal of Operations Management, Management Science, Journal of Retailing, Supply Chain Management Review and Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science. He is also co-author of the book 21st Century Logistics: Making Supply Chain Integration a Reality, published by the Council of Logistics Management and co-editor of Handbook of Global Supply Chain Management, published by Sage publications. He has received numerous awards for his research and teaching, and was named a Logistics Rainmaker by DC Velocity magazine.
Sep 2011:BGen Gregory J. Touhill, the Director, Command, Control, Communications and Computer (C4) Systems, United States Transportation Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill.
Brig. Gen. Gregory J. Touhill is the Director, Command, Control, Communications and Computer (C4) Systems, United States Transportation Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill.
He is responsible for the planning, integration, operations and maintenance of USTRANSCOM's C4 systems. He also serves as the command's Chief Information Officer, responsible for the investment strategy for all information technology resources.
General Touhill entered active duty in 1983 through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program at the Pennsylvania State University. He has held numerous staff positions at major command and Air Staff levels, and has commanded at the squadron, group and wing levels.
In May 2005, he deployed as Director, C4 Systems, U.S. Central Command Air Force, and Director, C4 Systems, Combined Air Operations Center, Southwest Asia. Prior to this assignment, General Touhill was Chief, Office of Military Cooperation and Senior Defense Official/Defense Attaché, U.S. Embassy, Kuwait.
Aug 2011: Maj Gen Rowayne A. "Wayne" Schatz Jr., Director of Plans, Programs, and Requirements, Air Mobility Command
Maj. Gen. Rowayne A. "Wayne" Schatz Jr. is Director of Strategic Plans, Requirements and Programs, Headquarters Air Mobility Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill. He is responsible for force structure planning and programming, doctrine, and requirements for the nation's air mobility enterprise, operating combat delivery and strategic airlift, air refueling, and aeromedical and special mission aircraft for national interests.
General Schatz entered the Air Force in 1983 after graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy and has served in a variety of operational commands. He commanded the 50th Airlift Squadron at Little Rock AFB, Ark.; three expeditionary airlift squadrons; the 374th Operations Group, Yokota Air Base, Japan; the 62nd Airlift Wing, McChord AFB, Wash.; the 314th Airlift Wing and 19th Airlift Wing, Little Rock AFB. The general has deployed in support of operations Southern Watch, Joint Guard, Allied Force, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. He served as the Director of Mobility Forces for Operation Enduring Freedom-Philippines in 2002, and as the Deputy Director of Mobility Forces in 2005 for Operation United Assistance supporting tsunami relief efforts throughout South Asia, then for U.S. Central Command Air Forces where he coordinated theater air mobility support for operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
The general's previous staff assignments include 5th Air Force and U.S. Forces Japan, U.S. Special Operations Command, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, U.S Transportation Command, and the Joint Staff. Prior to his current assignment, he served as Deputy Director for Global Operations, Operations Directorate, Joint Staff, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., where he was responsible to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for oversight and coordination of worldwide operational matters. The general is a command pilot with more than 4,200 hours in C-130 and C-17 aircraft.
Jul 2011: Dr. John W. Hamilton, Associate Director of the Consortium for Supply Chain Management Studies and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Management, St. Louis University
Dr. John W. Hamilton is the Associate Director of the Consortium for Supply Chain Management Studies and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Management at St. Louis University. He has an undergraduate degree from Washington University in St. Louis and MBA and doctoral degrees from St. Louis University. Dr. Hamilton has been an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Departments of Management and Decision Sciences / Information Technology Management teaching at the graduate and undergraduate levels at St. Louis University since 1983. The courses, both professional development and academic, range from supply chain management to strategic management and policy.
He retired from UniGroup, Inc., a private multi-billion dollar transportation company, as Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer in 2002. The Information Technology division of UniGroup was ranked nationally in Information Week 500, achieved ‘best in class’ recognition in Gartner Group industry benchmarks, and was ranked first in Information Technology in the Logistics and Distribution Report – Quest for Quality Survey for UniGroup’s industry segment.
Dr. Hamilton has published papers and presented on topics ranging from ‘The Turnaround ERP Project: Strategies and Issues’ to ‘Wireless Communication Systems: A Satellite Based Approach for Competitive Advantage in Logistic and Transportation Support Services.’ Some of his applied research included in-transit visibility (ITV) for supply chain services providing ‘real time’ access for customers. Robotics and artificial intelligence were research areas at Ralston Purina.
Additional military oriented briefs were 'ITV - A Private Sector Approach' to USTRANSCOM's component commanders conference at the invitation of Gen. Norman Schwartz, USAF. Also, "Lean and the Warfighter' was presented at an Airspeed Conference for the 2nd Marine Air Wing as an invited speaker by LtCol. A.J. Manuel, USMC.
Dr. Hamilton is a founding member and first Chairperson of the Center for Supply Chain Management Studies at the John Cook School of Business at St. Louis University. He is also a member of the Mentoring Committee for the St. Louis Minority Business Council. He is and has been active in professional and community organizations including; the Center for the Advancement of Information Technology, Washington University; Academy of Management; and the National Defense Transportation Association. He is on the board of several local community and service organizations. Additionally, he is a Life member of the Marine Corps League, an American Legion member, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Semper Fi Society of St. Louis.
View Dr. Hamilton's NDTA presentation (pdf).
May 2011: Mr. Ed Berti, Director/GM Military & Government Services, Horizon Lines
Mr. Berti has over 35 years in the transportation industry and has held positions in operations, pricing, sales, marketing, logistics and government relations throughout his career.
Mr. Berti was appointed to Director of Military and Government Services for Horizon Lines in May 2006. Prior to this position, he served as Director of Tradelane and Logistics for the Carrier’s Puerto Rico service for eight years, where he managed the tactical and strategic planning of the trade’s logistics and service delivery sector. He began his transportation career with Transamerican Trailer Transport and Central Gulf Lines and served as West Coast General Sales Manager with Lykes Lines. He joined SeaLand Service in 1983 and served in various management roles in pricing, sales, marketing and logistics.
Mr. Berti graduated from Pace University with a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree. He also holds a Master of Business Administration Degree from Wagner College in New York. He received a Professional Designation in International Transportation and Distribution from University of California, Los Angeles. He is a member several shipping associations focused on the needs of military and ancillary services. Mr. Berti is a member of the National Defense Transportation Association and serves on their Military Sealift Committee. He is also a member of the International Association of Movers, where he serves on the Carrier Relations Committee. Mr. Berti is a member of The Transportation Research Board and serves on the Military Transportation Committee. Finally, he is a member of the International Propeller Club of the United States in Washington, DC.
Mr. Berti served his country in the military as a member of the United States Army and received an honorable discharge in 1973.
View Mr Berti's NDTA presentation (pdf).
April 2011: Mr. Bruce A. Busler, Director, Joint Distribution Process Analysis Center, United States Transportation Command
and Executive Director, Transportation Engineering Agency, Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command
Mr. Bruce A. Busler, a member of the Senior Executive Service, is dual-hatted as the Director of the USTRANSCOM Joint Distribution Process Analysis Center (JDPAC) and Executive Director of the SDDC Transportation Engineering Agency (TEA). He also serves as the Special Assistant for Transportation Engineering to implement DOD policy guidance for highway, railroad, and port for national defense programs.
In his role as the Director, JDPAC, Mr. Busler develops a strategy to analytically support the broad needs of the Distribution Process Owner (DPO), USTRANSCOM directorates, Combatant Commands and the Services. He directs a joint team of analysts, engineers, transportation specialists, and computer scientists that includes Air Mobility Command Directorate of Analyses, Assessments and Lessons Learned (A9) as well as SDDCTEA to provide assessments of future transportation capabilities, joint analysis to inform mobility programmatic decisions, and analytically driven deployment and distribution courses of action to move and sustain the joint force.
As the TEA Executive Director, Mr. Busler manages that portion of the Department of Defense (DoD) Engineering for Transportability Program assigned to the Secretary of the Army and acts for the Commanding General, SDDC, as the Army Transportability Agent. Mr. Busler serves as the senior advisor to the Commander, USTRANSCOM and Commanding General, SDDC, as well as the Army and Defense Secretariats, for transportation engineering matters including transportation engineering policies, long-range plans, programs, and DoD transportation engineering issues.
Prior to his current position, Mr. Busler was employed as a senior defense contractor providing support to USTRANSCOM J5/4, where he developed numerous concepts addressing deployment and distribution operations for USTRANSCOM and the DoD. Mr. Busler retired from the USAF in 2005 as a colonel and command pilot with over 3,800 flight hours in mobility and trainer aircraft to include the C-5, C-141, C-9, C-21, T-1 and T-37. He served as the commander or vice commander at the squadron, group, wing and expeditionary mobility task force levels and deployed as the Deputy Director of Mobility Forces and as the Deputy Director of the CENTCOM Deployment Distribution Operations Center for operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Horn of Africa. Mr. Busler was also the USTRANSCOM J3 Mobility Control Center chief of operations where he managed several contingency response efforts to include mobility support for combat operations in Bosnia and Kosovo. He was a systems engineer in the C-17 program from critical design review up to first flight and later served as the Air Mobility Command operational test & evaluation manager for the C-17 during the height of the flight test program.
Mr. Busler holds a bachelor of science degree in Engineering Mechanics from the USAF Academy, a master of science degree in Systems Engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology and is a graduate of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. He is a certified Project Management Professional and a DoD certified acquisition professional. His decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (1 oak leaf cluster) and Meritorious Service Medal (six oak leaf clusters). During his USAF career, he was recognized in 1998 by the Secretary of Defense for Excellence in Leadership and was selected as the Air Education and Training Command Lance P. Sijan Leadership Award winner in 1997.
View Mr Busler's NDTA presentation (pdf).
March 2011: Judy Marth, Director of the Information Technology group and Chief Logistics Integration Officer, Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS), Global Services & Support (GS&S)
Judy Marth serves as both the Director of the Information Technology group and Chief Logistics Integration Officer supporting the Global Services & Support organizations in Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS). Her team supports the IT needs at the eight major sites as well as numerous others across the BDS Business Unit.
In this dual role, she is responsible for all IT solutions and service delivery to Global Services & Support, and leads the effort to ensure that integrated service-ready information systems solutions support GS&S business strategies. She also partners with BCA Commercial Airplane Services (CAS) IT for common business solutions and cost savings, and she manages related IT proposal development for potential growth opportunities.
Mrs. Marth was previously the IT Director of Supply Chain Management Systems for IDS and Phantom Works. Prior experiences include the Computing and Network Operations organization supporting the Midwest Region for Service Delivery Management and Operations; Finance Systems; the Missiles Division of McDonnell Douglas; and the Telecommunications Division of McDonnell Douglas Automation Company.
Judy has a BS in Business Administration from the University of Missouri–St. Louis. She and Ron have been married more than 25 years and have two children, Alex and Lisa. Her hobbies include boating, water-skiing, horseback riding, exercise, and having family fun.
February 2011: General Duncan J. McNabb, Commander, USTRANSCOM
Gen. Duncan J. McNabb is Commander, U.S. Transportation Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill. USTRANSCOM is the single manager for global air, land and sea transportation for the Department of Defense.
General McNabb graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1974. A command pilot, he has amassed more than 5,400 flying hours in transport and rotary wing aircraft. He has held command and staff positions at squadron, group, wing, major command and Department of Defense levels. During operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, General McNabb commanded the 41st Military Airlift Squadron, which earned Military Airlift Command's Airlift Squadron of the Year in 1990. The general commanded the 89th Operations Group, overseeing the air transportation of our nation's leaders, including the President, Vice President, Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense. He then served as Commander of the 62nd Airlift Wing. The wing's performance in 1996 earned the Riverside Trophy as the 15th Air Force's outstanding wing. He also commanded the Tanker Airlift Control Center and Air Mobility Command.
General McNabb's staff assignments have been a variety of planning, programming and logistical duties. These include serving as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Programs on the Air Staff and Chairman of the Air Force Board having oversight of all Air Force programs. He also served as the Director for Logistics on the Joint Staff where he was responsible for operational logistics and strategic mobility support to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Secretary of Defense. Prior to his current assignment, he was Vice Chief of Staff.
January 2011: Brig. Gen. Gregory E. Couch, Chief of Staff, United States Transportation Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill
MG Gregory E. Couch is chief of staff, United States Transportation Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill. He is responsible to the commander for the effective coordination of all staff activities in a global command of 156,000 personnel. USTRANSCOM is engaged in around-the-clock transportation planning and support to the Department of Defense and its war fighting unified commands.
RECENT ASSIGNMENTS: (Oct 1999 - Sep 2002) Commander, 809th Quartermaster Battalion, Fremont, Nebraska;
(Oct 2002 - Sep 2004) Commander, 917th Corps Support Group, Belton, Mo;
(Sep 2004 - Nov 2005) Commander, 917th Corps Support Group, Iraq;
(Nov 2005 - Jan 2006) Commander, 917th Corps Support Group, Belton, Mo;
(Jan 2006 - Sep 2006) Deputy commander, 9th Theater Support Command, Fort Belvoir, Va;
(Sep 2006 - Nov 2006) Commander, 316th, Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), Coraopolis, Pa;
(Nov 2006 - Feb 2009) Commander, 316th, Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), Iraq;
(Feb 2009 - Aug 2010) Director for operations and plans mobilization assistant, United States Transportation Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill;
(Aug 2010 - present) Chief of staff, United States Transportation Command.
View MG Couch's NDTA presentation (pdf).
November 2010: Scott McWilliams, CEO, Ozburn-Hessey Logistics (OHL)
Scott McWilliams is the Chief Executive Officer of OHL. He has served as CEO
of OHL since 2001. He previously served as President and COO from 1996-2001
and as VP of Operations from 1990-1996. Prior to joining OHL, Scott worked for
the Kroger Company and Super X Food and Drug in a variety of positions in
warehousing, transportation and supply chain management for nearly ten years.
Scott is an active member and speaker in several industry associations including
the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP), the
Warehousing Education and Research Council (WERC) , eyefortransport and the
International Warehouse and Logistics Association (IWLA). He serves on the
editorial advisory board of DC Velocity magazine, is on the Advisory Council on
Trade and Transportation for the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta and serves on
the Board of Directors of QPSI, OHL and is Past President of the Southeastern
Warehouse Association.
Scott is involved in his community as well. He serves as a Board member for The
United Way of Middle Tennessee, is an elder at First Presbyterian Church and has
also served on the Board of American Red Cross, Second Harvest Food Bank, as
Board President for Habitat for Humanity, and serves on the American Red Cross
Disaster Response Team.
Scott has a B.S. degree in Logistics from the University of Tennessee. Scott and
his wife, Elaine, have 2 sons Hayes, who is a sophomore at Southern Methodist
University and Douglas who is a junior at Montgomery Bell Academy.
October 2010: Terrence Moore, AEP River Operations
Mr. Moore has been involved in corporate sales, marketing, and business development for over 25 years within industries related to commercial aviation and marine navigation, plastics, transportation and logistics. Terry’s business development responsibilities include new and emerging market development, mergers and acquisitions, and strengthening relations with port and economic development entities. Recent projects have yielded success in strengthening AEP River Operations involvement in Project Cargo logistics related to wind, energy and other over dimensional shipments.
Terry has had the privilege to serve on various panels and present keynote remarks on the benefits of barge transportation, emphasizing the economic and environmental advantages associated with water borne logistics. He is active with such associations as Inland River Ports & Terminals (IRPT), Tennessee Tombigbee Waterway Development and various river associations on the Arkansas, Missouri and Illinois Rivers.
Mr. Moore earned his undergraduate degree. from Calumet College of St. Joseph and until recently, held a 50 ton Masters License. A native of Northwest Indiana, Mr. Moore is active in civic and community affairs, which has included elective office and service as a volunteer firefighter and EMT.
Along with his wife, Carol and two sons, Bryce and Grayson, The Moore’s reside in O’Fallon, MO.
View Mr Moore's NDTA presentation (pdf).
September 2010: Mr. Andy Dyer, Vice President Menlo Worldwide Government Services
In his current role as Vice President at Menlo Worldwide Government Services, Mr. Dyer is responsible for managing and developing current and prospective government contracts. Presently, Mr. Dyer holds direct responsibility for multiple contracts including the Defense Transportation Coordination Initiative (DTCI) program. This responsibility includes full financial ownership, operational and contractual performance, and customer satisfaction for a contract exceeding $250MM in gross annual revenues.
Prior to his current position Mr. Dyer was Director of Global Account Management where he was responsible for retaining and growing customer accounts within the Retail & CPG industries. Mr. Dyer also served as Menlo’s Director of Transportation responsible for the procurement and strategic management of domestic and international freight for Menlo, an annual expenditure of $800MM at that time.
Since joining Menlo in 1996, Mr. Dyer has held several operations, procurement, implementation, and analysis positions; both on site with customers and within the transportation group. Prior to joining Menlo Worldwide Logistics Mr. Dyer progressed through operational assignments at a leading national LTL carrier. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia.
View Mr Dyer's NDTA presentation (pdf).
August 2010: Mr. David Phelps, Assistant Secretary, Illinois Department of Transportation
Mr. David D. Phelps is no stranger to Illinois. He is a former teacher, an assistant principal, and a small business owner.
He served as Saline County Clerk, State Representative for the 118th district, United States Congressman for the 19th district, and is presently serving as Assistant Secretary for Illinois Department of Transportation.
Mr. Phelps sings Gospel Music with his three brothers as he has for the past fifty-four years.
He and his wife, Leslie, have four children and nine grandchildren. David is a life-long resident of Eldorado.
June 2010: Brig. Gen. Michael J. Lally, Director of Operations and Plans, USTRANSCOM J3
Brig. Gen. Michael J. Lally is the director of Operations and Plans, United States Transportation Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill. He is responsible for directing the deployment of forces and the distribution of supplies and equipment for humanitarian, peacetime, and wartime operations for the Department of Defense including joint training, exercises, and war planning. In addition, he is responsible for force protection for USTRANSCOM and its components, and has operational control of the Defense Courier Service and the Joint OperationalSupport Airlift Center. He also provides associated policy guidance.
Brig. Gen. Lally graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1978 and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Army Transportation Corps. He earned a Master of Science degree in operations research from the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, Calif. His military education includes the Transportation Officers Basic and Advanced Courses, Fort Eustis, Va.; the Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kan.; and the Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, Pa.
View BG Lally's NDTA presentation (pdf).
May 2010: Frank J. LeRose, FedEx Express Vice President, Global Network Planning/Operations Control
Mr LeRose's Record: FedEx Express, Vice President, Global Network Planning/Operations Control, 2006; Managing Director, System Form Planning, 1997; Manager, Product Movement
Engineering, 1994; Manager, Domestic Trucks and FDR Scheduling, 1991; Manager, Hub
Ops, International Heavyweight Sort, 1989; Manager, Hub Ops, 1989
Prior Experience: Flying Tigers Line, Chief Services Supervisor, 3 years; Rockwell International, Accountant,
2 years; United Parcel Service, Supervisor, 5 years
Professional Awards: FedEx Express Five Star Award, 2008, 2001, 1998, 1994;
FedEx Express CSSD Divisional QSS Award, 1999, 1997;
FedEx Express Leadership Excellence Award, 1996;
FedEx Express CSSD Excellence Award, 1996;
FedEx Express DGO Performance Excellence Award, 1993
Mr LeRose is a graduate of Ohio State University, and holds an MBA from the University of Memphis.
View Mr. LeRose's NDTA presentation (pdf).
April 2010: Mr. Ken Miller, Vice President of Intermodal Operations for JB Hunt
Transportation Services, Inc.
After spending 8 years in the US Army, Ken Miller joined JB Hunt in 1999 as part of
the Dedicated Contract Services Division.
He held several positions from
Account Manager, Operations Manager and General Manager on site with customers such
as Primesource, Home Depot, Joann Stores, Chep Pallets, PPG Industries and
many more.
In 2005 he moved over to the Intermodal Divisions as the
Assistant Vice President of the Midwest. In 2006 he was promoted to Vice President of Midwest and Northeast for all Intermodal Operations and now
manages 1380 drivers and 62 office personnel.
He is a graduate of Syracuse University
View Mr. Miller's NDTA presentation (pdf).
March 2010: William Kenwell, Senior Vice President, Chief Commercial Officer at Maersk Line, Limited
Mr. Kenwell joined Maersk Inc. in February 2004 as the Director of Integrated Marketing and has extensive sales, marketing and general management background in the transportation and logistics industry. For 29 years, from 1971-1999, he was with Sea-Land Service in the United
States and Asia. During his career at Sea-Land, he was in charge of Global Sales, Corporate
Marketing, Pacific Rim Sales and Marketing, the Hawaii-Guam Service, Buyers Consolidators
and Sea-Land Logistics.
He also served with CSX Transportation, where he was Vice President of Sales for North
America from 2001-2003, and where he managed CSX’s international offices in Europe,
Mexico and Latin America, as well as the logistics services company Transflo. Prior to this, Mr.
Kenwell was Vice President of Partner Relations for GT Nexus, a leading logistics software
solutions provider.
Mr. Kenwell earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Villanova University, and completed the
Executive Marketing Program at the Amos Tuck School at Dartmouth College. He is a life
member of the National Defense Transportation Association.
Mr. Kenwell is domiciled at Maersk Line, Limited’s Arlington office.
View Mr. Kenwell's NDTA presentation (pdf).
February 2010: Lt Gen Claude V. "Chris" Christianson, USA (retired)
[Editor's note: Lt Gen Christianson is now Senior Director of the Center for Joint and Strategic Logistics at the National Defense University]
Lieutenant General Claude V. "Chris" Christianson is the Senior Director of the Center for joint and Strategic Logistics at the National Defense University. Lieutenant General Christianson retired from the U.S. Army on 1 June 2008. His last position was the Director for Logistics, the Joint Staff, Washington, D.C. which he assumed his duties on 11 October 2005. Lieutenant General Christianson, a Distinguished Military Graduate of the Army ROTC program at North Dakota State University, was commissioned as an Ordnance Officer in 1971.
From 1971-1974, LTG Christianson was assigned to the 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kansas where he served as a Weapons Platoon Leader and later Executive Officer in the 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry. He also served as a Shop Officer and the S2/3 (Operations Officer) in the 701st Maintenance Battalion. In 1974 he was assigned to Thailand for two years where he served as the Chief of Shop Operations with the United States Army Support Group in Samae San, and later as a Customs Officer with the JUSMAG-THAI in Bangkok. From 1977 to 1979, he was assigned to the 9th Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Washington, as the Commander of a Forward Support Maintenance Company in the 709th Maintenance Battalion, and later as the Operations Officer in the Headquarters of the Division Support Command.
From 1979 to 1982, LTG Christianson was an Assistant Professor of Military Science at Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado. He served as the Army Guard Maintenance Programs and Policy Officer with the National Guard Bureau, Washington, D.C. from 1983 to 1986. He was then assigned to the Southern European Task Force in Vicenza, Italy where he served as the Director of Logistics for the 22nd Area Support Group for three years. LTG Christianson commanded the 725th Main Support Battalion, 25th Infantry Division (Light), Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, from 1989 to 1991. In 1992, after completion of the Army War College, he returned to Hawaii as the Assistant Chief of Staff G4, 25th Infantry Division (Light).
In 1993, LTG Christianson was assigned as the Chief of the Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC) at the American Embassy, Rome, Italy where he served for two years. From 1995 to 1997, he commanded the 3rd, and later, the 1st Infantry Division Support Commands in Kitzingen, Germany. After command, he was assigned as the G4, Headquarters, U.S. V Corps in Heidelberg, Germany. After his selection to Brigadier General, LTG Christianson served for two years as the Deputy Commanding General for the 21st Theater Support Command in Kaiserslautern, Germany. From 2000 to 2002, he served as the Assistant Chief of Staff, C4/J4/G4 United Nations Command/Combined Forces Command/United States Forces Korea/Deputy Commanding General (Support), Eight United States Army, Republic of Korea.
From August 2002 to July 2003, LTG Christianson was the Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff, G-4, Headquarters, Department of the Army with duty as Chief, Logistics, Coalition Forces Land Component Command, Camp Arifjan, Kuwait in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Prior to arriving to the Joint Staff, he served for two years as the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-4, Headquarters, Department of the Army.
January 2010: Brigadier General Kenneth D. Merchant
Brig. Gen. Kenneth D. Merchant is Director of Logistics, Headquarters Air Mobility Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill. General Merchant provides policy and guidance to organize, train and equip aircraft maintenance, transportation, supply, and logistics plans units at 14 major active air installations in the U.S., and 17 en route locations around the world. He is responsible for 860 active aircraft, 8,200 vehicles and 24,000 people. He also assists in the readiness of more than 616 aircraft and 80,339 people in the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard, providing total force augmentation to support flexible, global reach for America.
General Merchant was commissioned in 1980 through the Air Force ROTC program at Grove City College, Pa., where he earned a bachelor's degree in engineering management. He has been a program manager on numerous weapon system development and production programs including the F-22, E-3, Air Force One, KC-10, E 4, Wind Corrected Munitions Dispenser, Sensor Fused Weapon, Joint Standoff Weapon, Low Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared System for Night, GBU-15 and the AGM-130.
The general has also served as Air Staff Program Element Monitor for the Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile, and executive officer to the Commander, Pacific Air Forces. He directed an Area Attack Systems Program Office, Contractor Logistics Support Aircraft Materiel Systems Group, and Battle Management Command, Control and Computer Systems Wing. His commands include the Airborne Warning and Control System and Airborne Early Warning Control Systems Group as well as the 551st Electronic Systems Wing at Hanscom AFB, Mass. Prior to his current assignment, he was Vice Commander, Ogden Air Logistics Center, Hill AFB, Utah.View BG Merchant's NDTA presentation (pdf).
November 2009: Colonel Jeffrey Sick, Vice Commander, AFGLSC
Colonel Jeffrey R. Sick is the Vice Commander, Air Force Global Logistics Support Center (AFGLSC), located at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. An Air Force Materiel Command sustainment center, the AFGLSC executes the Air Force Supply Chain by integrating enterprise-wide planning and strategy with global command and control serving as the single focal point to the warfighter. The AFGLSC manages a $8.5B budget and is composed of over 4,200 personnel with operations at several geographically separated locations: the 448th Supply Chain Management Wing (Planning & Execution), Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma; 635th Supply Chain Management Wing (Operations), Scott Air Force Base, Illinois; and 591st Supply Chain Management Group (Strategy & Integration), Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.
Col Sick was born in Urbana, New York. He received his commission in September 1987 as a graduate of the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) at Boston University. He has served in a variety of logistics positions to include aircraft maintenance unit officer in charge, acquisition logistics analyst, program management officer, executive officer, squadron commander, joint logistics planning officer, deputy materiel group leader, and group commander. His experience spans a wide variety of logistics functions and duties at the national, theater, center, and unit levels. Prior to coming to the AFGLSC, Col Sick served as the Commander, 76 Commodities Maintenance Group at Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center, Tinker AFB, Oklahoma. View Col Sick's NDTA presentation (pdf).
October 2009: General Duncan J. McNabb, Commander, USTRANSCOM
Gen. Duncan J. McNabb is Commander, U.S. Transportation Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill. USTRANSCOM is the single manager for global air, land and sea transportation for the Department of Defense.
General McNabb graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1974. A command pilot, he has amassed more than 5,400 flying hours in transport and rotary wing aircraft. He has held command and staff positions at squadron, group, wing, major command and Department of Defense levels. During operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, General McNabb commanded the 41st Military Airlift Squadron, which earned Military Airlift Command's Airlift Squadron of the Year in 1990. The general commanded the 89th Operations Group, overseeing the air transportation of our nation's leaders, including the President, Vice President, Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense. He then served as Commander of the 62nd Airlift Wing. The wing's performance in 1996 earned the Riverside Trophy as the 15th Air Force's outstanding wing. He also commanded the Tanker Airlift Control Center and Air Mobility Command.
General McNabb's staff assignments have been a variety of planning, programming and logistical duties. These include serving as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Programs on the Air Staff and Chairman of the Air Force Board having oversight of all Air Force programs. He also served as the Director for Logistics on the Joint Staff where he was responsible for operational logistics and strategic mobility support to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Secretary of Defense. Prior to his current assignment, he was Vice Chief of Staff. View Gen McNabb's NDTA presentation (pdf).
[Excerpt from http://www.af.mil/information/bios/bio.asp?bioID=6426].
September 2009: Carl Yount, General Director of Marketing and Customer Solutions for the Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis
Carl served with the U.S Marines from 1965-1969. A Vietnam veteran, he also served as a Marine Corps Drill Instructor at Parris Island, SC and completed his military service serving as a Marine Corps Recruiter and Representative performing immediate family notification of our fellow Marines wounded or killed in action in the Republic of South Vietnam.
Carl has over 40 years in the railroad industry. He has 30 years with the former Conrail, 5 years with the CSXT and over 5 years with the TRRA. He has relocated 13 times in his railroad career.
Carl’s 40 years have been in the Customer Service and Transportation. He has worked on AAR/Rail Industry Committees including Car Management, Hazardous Materials, Demurrage, Reciprocal Switching and ISS. He also served as the Director for the Conrail National Customer Service Center transition to CSXT and Norfolk Southern. View Carl's presentation (pdf).
August 2009: Christi Turpin, PhD in Organization Psychology, Executive Director of the Warrior Integration Network (WIN)
WIN- the Warrior Integration Network St Louis based pilot program to connect and provide consistency of benefits/assistance to area reentry veterans. This network ties together service agencies – state, county, city and NFP- that offer assistance to veterans and their families. Our network includes major service providers in the area- city, county, schools, VA, St. Patrick’s, Corporate Partners and national organizations such as IAVA and Nat. League of Cities. We have the support of the Veterans Commission, Adjutant General Danner and other state agencies. Returning veterans face many issues. Among these are substance abuse issues, domestic violence, suicide, PTSD, unemployment and lack of housing. We know that our younger veterans are not utilizing their VA benefits and are struggling. In the 17- 44 age group there are over 26,000 veterans in the STL, St. Charles, Franklin, Jefferson and Warren counties that will need re- integration when they return from deployment. Currently there are over 300 homeless veterans in the St Louis area.
We are working to develop a Missouri task force on veterans re-integration and will be presenting our network approach to the VA Community Services and as part of the White House Commission on Veteran Reintegration.
June 2009: Mr. Rob Goodrich, Director, MRAP Supply Chain Operations in Afghanistan
March 2009: Major General Michael C. Gould, USTRANSCOM J3
[Editor's note: Gen Gould is now a Lt General and resides as Superintendent of the Air Force Academy. At the time of this speech he was the USTRANSCOM J3]
Maj. Gen. Michael C. Gould is Director of Operations and Plans, U.S. Transportation Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill. He is responsible for directing the deployment of forces, and the distribution of supplies and equipment for humanitarian, peace time and war time operations for the Department of Defense including joint training, exercises and war planning. In addition, he is responsible for force protection for USTRANSCOM and its components, and has operational control of the Defense Courier Stations located globally and the Joint Operational Support Airlift Center. He also provides associated policy guidance.
General Gould earned his commission and a bachelor's degree in behavioral science from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1976. He has commanded an operations group, an air refueling wing, an air mobility wing and the Cheyenne Mountain Operations Center. He has also commanded the 3rd Air Force, Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, and the 2nd Air Force, Keesler AFB, Miss. His operational and staff assignments include three tours at Headquarters U.S. Air Force, along with duty as an Air Force aide to the President and military assistant to the Secretary of the Air Force. He served as the Director of Mobility Forces for Operation Joint Endeavor and as USEUCOM's Air Expeditionary Task Force commander for the deployment of African Union troops into the Darfur region of Sudan.
The general is a command pilot with more than 3,000 hours in a variety of aircraft.
[Excerpt from http://www.af.mil/information/bios/bio.asp?bioID=5596].
October 2008: Professor Don Bowersox, Distinguished Professor of Supply Chain Management at Michigan State
Dr. Bowersox is a University Distinguished Professor and Dean Emeritus of The Eli Broad Graduate School of Management at Michigan State University. Dr Bowersox retired from full time teaching after 40 years at MSU. He currently teaches Executive Education at the Broad School. During his career, Dr. Bowersox has served as an air force pilot and in various business and Board capacities. He currently serves as Chairman of the Whirlpool Corporation Supply Chain Advisory Board.
Dr. Bowersox has over four decades of experience as a consultant to business and government. He is a frequent presenter at professional, trade and corporate meetings. He has lectured and taught in over twenty nations. Dr. Bowersox has authored over 250 articles on marketing, transportation, logistics and supply chain management. He is author or co-author of seventeen books with fourteen foreign language translations. He was a co-author of the first logistics textbook published in 1961. He received a special commendation from the Society of Logistical Engineers (SOLE) for original publication of Logistical Management. In 2005, he received the society’s prestigious Armitage Medal for contribution to the logistics literature. His most recent book co-authored with Nick LaHowchic entitled “Start Pushing Your Chain! Leading Responsive Supply Chain Transformation” will be published in January 2008. Information is available at www.ogillc.com.
Dr. Bowersox serves on the editorial review board of the Supply Chain Management Review as well as several academic journals. A founding member and second president of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals, Dr. Bowersox is the recipient of the council’s Distinguished Service Award and Founder’s Award. He has been recognized by Michigan State University as a Distinguished Alumni, and University Distinguished Faculty Member. The Broad School of Business at MSU designated Dr. Bowersox as a Distinguished Alumni. He was the initial recipient of the Broad School Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award. He was the recipient of the Harry E. Salzberg Honorary Medallion presented by Syracuse University.
July 2008: General Norton A. Schwartz, USTRANSCOM Commander
[Editor's note: Gen Schwartz is now the Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force. At the time of this speech he was the USTRANSCOM Commander]
Gen. Norton A. Schwartz is [now] Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. As Chief, he serves as the senior uniformed Air Force officer responsible for the organization, training and equipping of 680,000 active-duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian forces serving in the United States and overseas. As a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the general and other service chiefs function as military advisers to the Secretary of Defense, National Security Council and the President.
General Schwartz graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1973. He is an alumnus of the National War College, a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and a 1994 Fellow of Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Seminar XXI. He has served as Commander of the Special Operations Command-Pacific, as well as Alaskan Command, Alaskan North American Aerospace Defense Command Region, and the 11th Air Force. Prior to assuming his current position, General Schwartz was Commander, U.S. Transportation Command and served as the single manager for global air, land and sea transportation for the Department of Defense.
General Schwartz is a command pilot with more than 4,400 flying hours in a variety of aircraft. He participated as a crewmember in the 1975 airlift evacuation of Saigon, and in 1991 served as Chief of Staff of the Joint Special Operations Task Force for Northern Iraq in operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. In 1997, he led the Joint Task Force that prepared for the noncombatant evacuation of U.S. citizens in Cambodia.
[Excerpt from http://www.af.mil/information/bios/bio.asp?bioID=7707].