Dear friends of the Monica Wooden Center,

We have a power-packed newsletter filled with updates regarding our recent graduating class of students who earned their BS in Supply Chain Management with 100% job placement, thanks to your devotion to our talented and gritty students!

We are also introducing a new addition to our supply chain faculty joining USF from the University of Arkansas.

Most recently, 14 business partners joined 38 students seeking internships and full-time employment during our Spring 2024 Meet The Employer event (some great pics included!).

We continue to be especially grateful to the founding members of the supply chain center:  

Mercury Gate International, Bristol Meyers Squibb, and Transportation Insight. We continue to seek additional members to help us fulfill the financing for student events, resume and interview preparation, and attendance at professional conferences for their enrichment.

We are very thankful to Intertape Polymer Group, AAA Cooper Transportation, Jordan Strawn and Mark Reed for scholarship gifts that have supported over 20 students this past year.

Our STEM curricula require real-time learning and we are grateful to Mercury Gate TMS, SAP ERP, Datex WMS, Tableau and Uber Freight (Lean Six Sigma green belt certificate) for the use of your technology in the classroom!

Best regards,      

Elaine

Elaine Singleton

Executive Director

Monica Wooden Center for Supply Chain Management and Sustainability

Muma College of Business

University of South Florida

Table of Contents

1. From the Executive Director's Desk

2. Important Dates

3. Faculty Spotlight

4. Supply Chain December Graduates

5. Alumni Spotlight

6. Meet the Employer Event

7. WISE: Women Impacting Supply Chain Excellence

8. CSCMP Guest Speakers

• Upcoming CSCMP Activities:

• April 5 — Port of Tampa Bay cruise

• April 18 — McKinsey & Company

• April — Supply chain student case competition

• April 26 — Spring graduate banquet

• May 2 — Spring semester ends

• May 13 — Summer semester begins

SAVE THE DATE!

• Aug. 26-28 — Florida Supply Chain Summit, Miami, FL www.floridasupplychainsummit.com.

• Sept. 26 — Fall 2024 Meet the Employer

• Sept. 29-Oct. 2 — CSCMP EDGE Conference, Nashville, Tennessee

Llord Brooks

LinkedIn

Years teaching at USF: 1 year

Teaching the following courses:

• MAN 4504 Operations and SCM

• SCM 3144 Global Sourcing

Experience and educational overview: I earned my PhD in Supply Chain Management from the Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas. My research primarily focuses on humanitarian supply chain management, disaster relief, and behavioral operations. I am particularly interested in how unique humanitarian and disaster-related operational characteristics influence organizational and relief worker behaviors, decision-making, and performance outcomes. Before beginning my doctoral studies, I gained industry experience in logistics and transportation, working as a fleet manager for J.B. Hunt Transport Inc.

Q: What brought you to USF?  

Culture. After visiting USF and meeting with everyone throughout the interview process, I immediately felt that the Monica Wooden Center and the USF Muma College of Business were the perfect environments for me to continue to grow and contribute as a scholar and person. 

Q: Tell us about your career in supply chain management.  

After earning my master's degree in Global Logistics, I was offered a position as a fleet manager at JB Hunt Transport in southern California. I worked in the Intermodal Operations Division, and managed and supervised a large group of drivers. This included managing driver relations and retention, timely freight movement (on-time pick-ups and deliveries) with the rail, warehouses/DCs, and, at times, the LA/Long Beach port, and ensuring safety and regulatory compliance.

Q: What would you like for students to learn from your class(es)?  

• How to analyze situations from a global perspective. Be inclusive thinkers and problem solvers. 

• How to apply and adapt knowledge to real-world situations. Knowledge application in an ever-changing world.

While knowledge accumulation is essential, the continuous development of these two skills will help distinguish them now and in the future.  

Congratulations to the December 2023 graduates of the supply chain program. As you step into the next chapter of your lives, we extend our heartfelt wishes for a bright and successful future. It is fantastic to hear that our graduates have also secured positions in their respective fields. We wish them continued success in their careers.

Thank you to all the employers and supply chain students who attended our Spring 2024 Meet the Employer event!

The event was a remarkable triumph, boasting a robust presence of 14 employers and 38 eager students. It was marked by lively exchanges, illuminating discussions on company backgrounds, and fruitful networking opportunities. Throughout the event, students and employers shined, showcasing their preparedness to make a meaningful impact, bolstered by the collaborative efforts and guidance of the employers.

We extend warm appreciation to all the employers who participated and who dedicated their time and expertise to support and mentor our students: AAA Cooper Transportation, Blue Grace Group, Intertape Polymer Group, Goat Logistics, Honeywell, Johnson & Johnson, Marten Transportation, Pfizer, Refresco, Ryder, Southeast Freight Transportation, Werner Enterprises, Coca-Cola Florida, Chromalloy.

Heartfelt gratitude to all for participating in the Meet the Employer event and giving opportunities to our students for growth and career progression!

Save the date for our next event on Sept. 26, 2024!

This year, we were fortunate to have Sahara Sipple and Juliana Escudero Galvanini participate in the WISE: Women Impacting Supply Chain Excellence trip, contributing significantly to the success and impact of the event. Their dedication and enthusiasm helped create a memorable and enriching experience for all.

Sipple mentioned her splendid experience. “I loved going to WISE. It was such an inspirational opportunity to network with women of all different career stages within the supply chain industry. Touring a Walmart distribution center and the Sam’s Club and JB Hunt home offices was so amazing and put into perspective the scale and influence of the industry," she said.

Juliana Galvanini shared her perspective on the event. “My experience at WISE was eye-opening. Seeing many strong women in such important positions inspired me to continue growing. Our tours in the Walmart, JB Hunt, and Sam’s Club facilities showed me how big the supply chain field is. It is common knowledge that without a supply chain we would have nothing but being there showed me that idea in real life. I am extremely grateful to the Monica Wooden Center for giving my friend and me this opportunity; and, thanks to CSCMP which always shows and explains to us what is happening in the field,” she said.

We extend immense gratitude to our CSCMP guest speakers from Intertape Polymer Group, Southeastern Freight Lines, Quant Fusion, McKinsey & Company, Amazon, Spot Freight and Supply Chain Equity for their invaluable contributions this spring semester! Their expertise has greatly benefited our students, guiding them in their career path decisions and personal development!

Scholarship Gifts: Intertape Polymer Group, AAA Cooper Transportation, The Jordan Strawn Family, The Mark Reed Family

Curriculum Gifts (in-kind): Datex, SAP, Tableau, Mercury Gate Transportation Systems, Uber Freight

Founding Member Gifts: Mercury Gate, Bristol Meyers Squibb, Transportation Insight