Supply Chain Now

Supply Chain Now Radio, Episode 91

“Leadership Matters: Management, Margins & Me”

Episode 91 features Beau Groover.

Beau Groover is Founder and President of The Effective Syndicate. He has been working with manufacturing and operations-focused organizations for over 20 years, primarily focused on developing bullet-proof processes and teams that are built to win.

Beau has helped organizations save millions of dollars while also improving those companies’ customer experiences and building high-performing teams that continue to drive the business forward.  He has developed his approach and strategy over years of working with some of the biggest companies in multiple levels within the organizations, including The Coca-Cola Company, Nordson Corporation, and Westrock (formerly RockTenn).

Just prior to launching The Effective Syndicate in 2015, Beau served as the Director of Lean Supply Chain at Serta Simmons Bedding, LLC. Beau also currently serves as an APICS Atlanta Executive Advisory Board member. Connect with Beau Groover on LinkedIn and learn more about The Effective Syndicate here: https://www.theeffectivesyndicate.com/

This episode was hosted by Scott Luton.

Supply Chain Now Radio, Episode 90

“Dirt, Trees & Chickens: How the Georgia Ports Authority Makes Growth Happen”

Savannah Business Leadership Series on SCNR

Broadcast live from Savannah Technical College

Episode 90 featured Stacy Watson.

Stacy Watson serves Director, Economic & Industrial Development at the Georgia Ports Authority. He’s been a part of the GPA team for over 26 years. Since 1945, Georgia’s ports have served as magnets for international trade and investment, enriching the state’s economy to benefit all Georgians.

The Georgia Ports Authority is dedicated to providing customers with the most efficient, productive port facilities in the nation, and to creating jobs and business opportunities to benefit more than 9.7 million Georgians. The GPA is committed to maintaining its competitive edge through development of leading-edge technology, marketing and operations to move cargo faster. And, the Authority is working hard to identify what must be done today to sustain growth, performance and security for tomorrow.

Georgia’s deepwater ports in Savannah and Brunswick, together with inland barge operations in Bainbridge and Columbus, are Georgia’s gateways to the world. They are the critical conduits through which raw materials and finished products flow to and from destinations around the globe. Connect with Stacy Watson on LinkedIn or email; and follow the Georgia Ports Authority on Twitter and learn more here: http://gaports.com/

This episode was hosted by Bill Stankiewicz and Scott Luton.

Supply Chain Now Radio, Episode 89

“APICS Savannah Growth Update”

Savannah Business Leadership Series on SCNR

Broadcast live from Savannah Technical College

Episode 89 features Geoff LeRoy.

Geoff LeRoy serves as President of APICS Savannah and has been specializing in supply chain management for the manufacturing, service and distribution industries for more than thirty (30) years. He has worked in areas of international procurement, global logistics, production planning, inventory management, engineering, distribution and customer service. He has incorporated Continuous Improvement and Lean practices in his professional positions since early in his career.

Currently, he is developing and implementing Sales & Operations Planning for a large global chemical manufacture called Johnson Matthey and is an active instructor and educator in the fields of lean, supply chain management, materials management including procurement and in production and inventory control.

Geoff LeRoy holds a Bachelors degree in Engineering with a concentration in Metallurgy from Lafayette College, and a Masters in Business Administration degree in Operations Management and Technology from Bryant University. He holds certifications from the Association for Supply Chain & Operations Management (APICS) in the areas of Production and Inventory Control (CPIM), Supply Chain Management (CSCP) and Logistics, Transportation and Distribution (CLTD).

Geoff has been consulting, educating and training organizations in conjunction with various APICS Chapters for more than twenty (20) years and received several Instructor of the Year awards (most recently in 2018). For the last twelve (12) years, Geoffrey has served on several Chapter Board of Directors as President and Vice President of Education. He currently certified by APICS as an instructor in the areas of CPIM, CSCP, CLTD and Lean Enterprise. Geoff has mentored countless students and professionals while assisting them in achieving their personal and professional goals.

Connect with Geoff LeRoy on LinkedIn or contact him via email. Additionally, you can follow APICS Savannah on Twitter and learn more about the organization here: https://www.apicssavannah.org/

This episode was hosted by Bill Stankiewicz and Scott Luton.

Supply Chain Now Radio, Episode 88

“Freight Forwarding, Supply Chain Skills Gap, Leadership Perspective”

Savannah Business Leadership Series on SCNR

Broadcast live from Savannah Technical College

Episode 88 featured Sean Conrad.

Sean Conrad serves as Business Development Manager with Platinum Cargo Logistics. He has a strong operations management background, and he’s now supporting the logistics and supply chain industry directly.

Sean has deep roots in airline ground handling operations in various hub operations across the country (LAX, SFO, ORD and ATL).

Connect with Sean Conrad on LinkedIn and learn more about Platinum Cargo Logistics here: https://www.platinumcargologistics.com/

Episode 88 was hosted by Bill Stankiewicz and Scott Luton.

Supply Chain Now Radio, Episode 87

“SCNR Live from Birmingham, AL: Part Two”

Broadcast live from the University of Alabama at Birmingham

Episode 87 featured Jordan Giroud, Doug Duvall, and Mark Brown.

Jordan Giroud serves as Supply Chain Manager with Lohr North America, a leading manufacturer of automotive transport trailers. Originally from France, Jordan graduated with a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from ECAM Lyon in 2016 and has been hired by Lohr Industries to take part in the restructuring of the American subsidiary of the group.

Mark Brown is the vice president of business retention and expansion for the Birmingham Business Alliance. He is responsible for implementing business retention and growth strategies for companies in the Birmingham seven-county region. He has extensive economic development experience and has been with the BBA since August 2011.

Doug Duvall serves in outside sales for Hydra Power Systems. He has been married for 25 years to his wife, Monica, and is the father of six girls. Doug attended Portland State University in Portland, OR, where he majored in English Literature.

This episode was hosted by Barika McNeal Hamilton, Greg White, and Scott Luton.

Supply Chain Now Radio, Episode 86

“SCNR Live from Birmingham, AL: Part One”

Broadcast live from the University of Alabama at Birmingham

Episode 86 featured LaVanda Varner, Desland Robinson, Alan Hill, and Barika McNeal Hamilton.

LaVada Varner serves as Center Director for the Birmingham and Sumiton Centers Region with Alabama Technology Network (ATN). These two centers are hosted by Jefferson State Community College (Birmingham), Lawson State Community College (Birmingham), Bevill State Community College (Sumiton), and Shelton State Community College (Sumiton) respectively.

Desland Robinson is a seasoned career professional serving as the UAB School of Engineering Career Center Director who believes in training our students like an engineer! ‘Train Like an Engineer’ has become her motto in every touch point Desland has with students at UAB School of Engineering.

Alan Hill is the Executive Director for the Alabama Productivity Center, a part of the Culverhouse College of Commerce and the University of Alabama. Alan earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Masters of Engineering Degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Barika McNeal Hamilton is a Productivity Engineer with the University of Alabama Productivity Center. The APC is a non-profit organization, housed within the Culverhouse School of Business, that enhances economic and workforce development. Barika has 17 years of logistics and business leadership experience, mostly in the automotive industry. Barika is a proud Alabama A&M University graduate and has an MBA from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

This episode was hosted by Scott Luton.

Supply Chain Now Radio, Episode 85

“Key Takeaways from the 2019 eCommerce Operations Summit”

This episode features Michael O'Brien. Michael O’Brien serves as Senior Content Manager for Multichannel Merchant and Lead Programmer for the Ecommerce Operations Summit. Mike has worked in journalism and communications for more than 30 years.

In his current role at Multichannel Merchant he is responsible for producing and managing editorial content across website, e-letters, reports, webinars and podcasts covering all aspects of ecommerce. As lead programmer for Ecommerce Operations Summit he is also responsible for all aspects of the event’s agenda, including speaker recruitment.

Prior to MCM he was a public relations senior account executive working with clients in marketing and advertising services. Mike has also worked as a media relations consultant for a startup nonprofit concert promoter, a research analyst covering corporate training and a daily newspaper reporter on a variety of city beats.

Learn more about Multichannel Merchant here: https://multichannelmerchant.com/ and be sure to check out the Ecommerce Operations Summit here: https://2020.operationssummit.com/

This episode was hosted by Scott Luton.

Supply Chain Now Radio, Episode 84

“2019 AME Atlanta Lean Summit – Session 3: The Keynotes”

Hosted by AME – Learn more here: https://www.ame.org/

This episode featured Crystal Davis and Marc Braun.

Crystal Davis is CEO of The Lean Coach, Inc. She is an experienced business management consultant with twenty years of experience in the design, development, and implementation of Lean Business System solutions.

She has accumulated extensive domestic and international expertise in the design and implementation of solutions for automotive and healthcare manufacturing, and consumer packaged industries. Crystal has assisted clients in formulating comprehensive business and logistics strategies and in re-engineering distribution and manufacturing operations to reduce costs, improve customer service and drive revenue.

With Crystal’s vast knowledge and experience she has played integral roles on several enterprise-wide Supply Chain Management projects. Crystal has also trained and coached globally in Operational Excellence at various organizational levels.

As a teacher, coach and speaker, Crystal uses practical techniques, innovative methods, and Socratic teaching to engage, captivate, and add value to those she encounters. Connect with Crystal Davis on LinkedIn, follow The Lean Coach Inc on Twitter, and learn more here: http://theleancoachinc.com/

Marc Braun currently serves as President for Cambridge Engineering – an engineering and manufacturing company focused on providing market-leading HVAC technologies for the Commercial and Industrial Markets.

Cambridge Engineering earned the title of “Manufacturer of the Year” from the Missouri Association of Manufacturers in 2016. The annual Made in Missouri Leadership Awards honor manufacturing companies and individual leaders that are shaping the future of global manufacturing.

Cambridge Engineering was singled out for the association’s top award because of its deep focus on quality, cost, and productivity improvements. Connect with Marc Braun on LinkedIn and learn more about Cambridge Engineering here: https://www.cambridge-eng.com/

This episode was hosted by Scott Luton.

Supply Chain Now Radio, Episode 83

“2019 AME Atlanta Lean Summit – Session 2”

Hosted by AME – Learn more here: https://www.ame.org/

Episode 83 featured Chrystal York, Mark Columbo, Kevin Lawrence, and Greg Moore.

Chrystal York and Mark Columbo both serve as Continuous Improvement Manager at Trojan Battery Company. Founded in 1925 by George Godber and Carl Speer, Trojan Battery Company has become the world’s leading manufacturer of deep-cycle Solar and Motive batteries.

With a broad range of energy storage solutions that including deep-cycle flooded, AGM, gel and lithium batteries, Trojan has shaped the world of deep-cycle battery technology with close to 100 years of battery manufacturing experience. Learn more about Trojan Battery Company here: https://www.trojanbattery.com/

Kevin Lawrence and Greg Moore both are part of the team at The HON Company. Kevin serves as an Industrial Engineer and Greg serves as a Continuous Improvement Engineer for the organization.

Inspired by practicality and invested in understanding the needs of its customers, The HON Company strives to establish meaningful connections resulting in product solutions and customer support that exceed market demands.

As a leading designer and manufacturer of workplace furniture including seating, desks, workstations, storage and tables, HON’s commitment to serving its customers is rooted in reliable performance and a member culture that is approachable, confident, smart and ready to serve.

Headquartered in Muscatine, Iowa, The HON Company has manufacturing facilities strategically located throughout the United States, and markets its products through a nationwide network of loyal distribution partners. The HON Company is the largest operating company of HNI Corporation, a leading global office furniture manufacturer (NYSE: HNI). For more information, visit www.hon.com

This episode was hosted by Scott Luton.

Supply Chain Now Radio, Episode 82

“2019 AME Atlanta Lean Summit – Session 1”

Hosted by AME – Learn more here: https://www.ame.org/

Episode 82 featured Jason Moss and Asif Naqvi.

Jason Moss is Founder and CEO of the Georgia Manufacturing Alliance (GMA). The organization is the fastest growing community of industry professionals in the state. Since 2008, GMA has provided the premier platform for manufacturing leaders to form strategic alliances, share best business practices, and make profitable business connections.

Mike Burns serves as MOS Facilitator with McKee Foods Corporation, a food manufacturing company who’s products include Little Debbie® brand snack cakes, one of the most successful lines in the country.

McKee Foods was founded in 1934 and remains a private, family-owned business. Today, the organization manufactures products in Collegedale, TN; Gentry, AR; and Stuarts Draft, VA. Learn more about McKee Foods Corporation here: https://mckeefoods.com/

This episode was hosted by Scott Luton.