In this episode, hosts Ted Stank and Tom Goldsby welcome Todd Steffen, market leader at KBC Advisors, to discuss how the industrial real estate market is both a mirror and a leading indicator of supply chain health.

Steffen, a longtime GSCI Advisory Board member, brings a practitioner's eye to the industrial market, drawing on his background running distribution and logistics technology at Walgreens and years advising major occupiers and investors.

The conversation spans how data centers are upending traditional site selection by competing for the same power infrastructure and land that distribution centers need; how sublease space and landlord concessions are creating hidden opportunities for occupiers; and why modular automation and AI are finally moving the needle on productivity inside the four walls.

Related links: 

• Fill out Tom Goldsby’s survey on warehouse automation
• Save the date for the Fall Supply Chain Forum, Nov. 10–12 
• Download free white papers from UT experts 
• Become a GSCI partner to learn, network, and recruit with the top supply chain education institution in North America  
• Join the Advanced Supply Chain Collaborative to explore advanced concepts in SCM with top industry experts and scholars   
• Follow GSCI on LinkedIn   
• Subscribe to GSCI’s monthly newsletter    
• Read the latest news and insights from GSCI 

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What does it take to keep a refinery running when the world won't stop throwing curveballs?

In this episode, Ted Stank and guest co-host Lance Saunders speak with Tom Johnson, VP of procurement at HF Sinclair, an independent petroleum refiner with operations throughout the mid-continent, southwestern and Rocky Mountain regions. Recorded live at the Supply Chain Forum, the conversation pulled back the curtain on one of the more essential and misunderstood industries in the global economy. 

Among the topics discussed were why surety of supply—not cost—is the 3 a.m. concern keeping procurement leaders awake, and how the Strait of Hormuz closure and ongoing geopolitical volatility are rippling through petrochemical supply chains in ways consumers never see. Johnson also discussed the crude oil import-export paradox and how refinery infrastructure dictates crude "diets," the rise of data analytics as a seat at the operations table, how tariffs stress-tested supplier relationships and exposed the limits of sub-tier supply chain visibility, and what the skilled trades shortage means for heavy industrial operations.

Johnson is a UT Knoxville SCM alum who has spent his entire career in oil and gas, previously holding roles at Valero and Holly Frontier. He oversees a procurement organization of approximately 100 professionals managing roughly $2 billion in annual spend, including labor, plant inventory, and category management.

The episode was recorded live at the Supply Chain Forum on April 22, 2026.

Related links:

• Save the date for the Fall Supply Chain Forum, Nov. 10–12
• Download free white papers from UT experts
• Become a GSCI partner to learn, network, and recruit with the top supply chain education institution in North America 
• Join the Advanced Supply Chain Collaborative to explore advanced concepts in SCM with top industry experts and scholars  
• Follow GSCI on LinkedIn  
• Subscribe to GSCI’s monthly newsletter   
• Read the latest news and insights from GSCI 

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Forecasting has been blamed for supply chain problems for decades. But what if the real issue isn’t the forecast itself? 

In this episode, Tom Goldsby and Scott DeGroot speak with Mike Burnette, Lance Saunders, and Dan Pellathy about new research from the University of Tennessee’s Global Supply Chain Institute examining why forecast-driven planning continues to fall short and how leading companies are redesigning their planning processes to be more agile and responsive. 

The conversation explored how many organizations still rely on one-size-fits-all planning models, why improving forecast accuracy alone rarely fixes service and inventory problems, and how leading-edge companies are segmenting demand, using different demand triggers, and building capability in the supply chain instead of buffering uncertainty with excess inventory. 

The group also discussed planning agility, the limits of traditional ERP-based approaches, and the behavioral challenges that prevent companies from fully using advanced planning systems. 

Burnette, Pellathy, and Saunders's research was conducted alongside GSCI participating in the Advanced Supply Chain Collaborative. Their work led to the forthcoming white paper Love to Hate the Forecast, which will be released at the Supply Chain Forum, April 21–23. 

The episode was recorded virtually on March 10, 2026.

Related links:

• Read Mike Burnette's two-part blog series on the cultural roots of forecasting failures and shifting to a right-to-left planning model
• Download free white papers from UT experts
• Save the date for the Spring Supply Chain Forum, April 21–23  
• Join the Advanced Supply Chain Collaborative to explore advanced concepts in SCM with top industry experts and scholars  
• Become a GSCI partner  
• Follow GSCI on LinkedIn  
• Subscribe to GSCI’s monthly newsletter   
• Read the latest news and insights from GSCI 

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For our latest episode, guest hosts Scott DeGroot and Lance Saunders spoke with Kevin O’Marah, co-founder of Zero100 and GSCI Distinguished Fellow, about structural shifts in global trade policy, the acceleration of agentic AI in supply chain workflows, and the widening performance gap between early movers and holdouts.

The conversation explored how industrial policy and tariff normalization are driving regionalized supply networks, why AI must be embedded in end-to-end workflows rather than siloed tasks, and how process discipline—not data alone—determines technology success. 

O'Marah, who previously held leadership roles at Amazon, Gartner, and SCM World, argued that supply chains are entering a K-shaped era, where organizations that differentiate talent, rethink planning, and adopt AI with intent will accelerate sharply, while others risk stagnation. The discussion also touched on capital investment trends, trust-based supplier ecosystems, planning reform beyond traditional S&OP, and the continued importance of circularity and resource stewardship in a shifting geopolitical landscape. 

The episode was recorded during the GSCI Advisory Board meeting at the Haslam College of Business on February 26, 2026.

Related links:

• Download free white papers from UT experts
• Save the date for the Spring Supply Chain Forum, April 21–23  
• Join the Advanced Supply Chain Collaborative to explore advanced concepts in SCM with top industry experts and scholars  
• Become a GSCI partner  
• Follow GSCI on LinkedIn  
• Subscribe to GSCI’s monthly newsletter   
• Read the latest news and insights from GSCI 

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For the third episode of Season 4, co-hosts Ted Stank and Tom Goldsby are joined by Stuart Sandlin, president of Hapag-Lloyd North America, for a candid conversation about how global supply chains hold together when conditions refuse to stabilize. 

Drawing on extensive experience in ocean shipping and global trade, Sandlin shares insights on Red Sea disruptions, Panama Canal capacity, shifting trade routes, and the operational and financial realities of longer transit times. The conversation centers on why predictability often outperforms flexibility, how leaders can manage expectations when certainty isn’t possible, and which behaviors help organizations execute credibly under pressure. 

This episode offers practical perspective for supply chain professionals and executives navigating risk, reliability, and decision-making in a changing global environment. 

Plus, Ted and Tom break down the latest supply chain signals and headlines, including holiday demand performance, tariff-driven ordering shifts, and more.

The episode was recorded virtually on January 26, 2026.  

Related links:    

• Download free white papers from UT experts. 
• Save the date for the Spring Supply Chain Forum, April 21–23  
• Learn about our SCM Academy programs, including upcoming virtual courses on Leadership (spring registration closed), Finance (March 2–May 3), and Planning (March 11–May 10) 
• Join the Advanced Supply Chain Collaborative to explore advanced concepts in SCM with top industry experts and scholars  
• Become a GSCI partner  
• Follow GSCI on LinkedIn  
• Subscribe to GSCI’s monthly newsletter   
• Read the latest news and insights from GSCI 

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In this holiday-season episode, co-hosts Ted Stank and Tom Goldsby sit down with incoming department head Yemisi Bolumole to explore how the University of Tennessee’s supply chain management program balances academic rigor with real-world relevance.

Yem and the hosts discuss the program’s evolution from its transportation roots to a comprehensive end-to-end supply chain focus, the opportunities and responsibilities that come with rapid growth, and what success looks like for students, employers, and the broader Tennessee economy. With roughly 1,800 undergraduates, about 450 graduates each year, and several hundred master’s and PhD students, UT’s SCM talent engine serves a wide range of stakeholders and career paths in logistics, planning, procurement, and operations.

The conversation also highlights the Transportation and Logistics Collaborative (TLC) within the Global Supply Chain Institute—connecting industry, government, and academia to anticipate policy shifts, guide mobility initiatives, and translate research into practice. Yem shares examples of partnerships in warehousing automation, mobility policy, and cross-campus collaborations, and emphasizes that AI is best understood as an “accelerant”—a force that speeds up insight and execution while still relying on human judgment, ethics, and domain expertise.

This episode offers a grounded look at how universities can protect their heritage, expand their scope, and move faster from insight to impact.

Related links:   

• Download free white papers from UT experts for improving returns management processes, reshoring manufacturing, procurement capabilities, and more. 
• Save the date for the Spring Supply Chain Forum, April 21–23 
• Learn about our SCM Academy programs, including upcoming virtual courses on Leadership (Jan. 30–May 10), Finance (March 2–May 3), and Planning (March 11–May 10). 
• Join the Advanced Supply Chain Collaborative to explore advanced concepts in SCM with top industry experts and scholars 
• Become a GSCI partner 
• Follow GSCI on LinkedIn 
• Subscribe to GSCI’s monthly newsletter  
• Read the latest news and insights from GSCI 

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For the Season 4 premiere, co-hosts Ted Stank and Tom Goldsby sat down with retired Rear Admiral Kevin Sweeney to explore how military leadership principles translate to the business world.  

Throughout his remarkable career in the U.S. Armed Forces, Sweeney commanded the USS Cole during its historic rebuilding and served as chief of staff to Defense Secretary James Mattis. He is now a trusted senior advisor on government relations and management in the private sector. Sweeney’s conversation with Ted and Tom spanned geopolitics, defense manufacturing, cyber readiness, and building strong teams. Along the way, he offered insights into how trust and adaptability remain vital whether leading sailors, managing crises, or guiding corporate boards.   

Recorded live at the Fall 2025 Supply Chain Forum, Sweeney brought decades of experience navigating complexity under pressure—wisdom that supply chain professionals can apply in their own leadership journeys.   

This episode was recorded at the Marriott Knoxville Downtown on November 5, 2025.  

Watch the video. 

Related links:   

• Relive the Fall 2025 Supply Chain Forum 
• Download free white papers from UT experts for improving returns management processes, reshoring manufacturing, procurement capabilities, and more. 
• Save the date for the Spring Supply Chain Forum, April 21–23 
• Learn about our SCM Academy programs, including upcoming virtual courses on Leadership (Jan. 30–May 10), Finance (March 2–May 3), and Planning (March 11–May 10). 
• Join the Advanced Supply Chain Collaborative to explore advanced concepts in SCM with top industry experts and scholars 
• Become a GSCI partner 
• Follow GSCI on LinkedIn 
• Subscribe to GSCI’s monthly newsletter  
• Read the latest news and insights from GSCI 

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In this special episode, regular co-host Tom Goldsby and Scott DeGroot, managing director of UT’s Global Supply Chain Institute, catch up with Mark Baxa, president and CEO of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals, at the organization's EDGE 2025 Conference in Washington, DC.

Earlier in the week, Tom was recognized as a CSCMP Distinguished Fellow, while Scott and other UT supply chain management faculty participated in several sessions as expert panelists. 

We'll be back for the launch of Season 4 of the podcast at the Fall 2025 Supply Chain Forum, Nov. 4–6, in Knoxville. 

The episode was recorded live on October 5, 2025, during the CSCMP Edge Conference in Washington, DC. 

Related links:  

• Learn more about Mark Baxa
• Download our latest white papers from UT experts on returns management and reshoring manufacturing.  
• Learn about UT’s new master’s degree in global supply chain management 
• Register for the fall Supply Chain Forum, November 4–6, in Knoxville
• Become a Supply Chain Forum partner 
• Subscribe to GSCI’s monthly newsletter 
• Read the latest news and insights from GSCI 

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For the final episode of Season 3, co-hosts Ted Stank and Tom Goldsby spoke with supply chain consultant and former Procter & Gamble senior director Andrew Byer to explore how people, culture, and technology intersect to shape resilient supply chains. 

Byer shares lessons from his long career at Procter & Gamble, where he supported global operations for health, hygiene, and cleaning products. He discusses how licensing, supply chain planning, and culture building are critical levers for performance, and why growing talent from within remains essential. The conversation also touches on how machine learning and automation are shaping new approaches to work. 

Plus, Ted and Tom cover the latest headlines: the Supreme Court’s upcoming case on the legality of Trump’s tariffs, the end of the “de minimis” loophole for online orders, changes to EV tax credits, and new data on consumer prices and jobless claims. 

The episode was recorded virtually on September 11, 2025. 

Related links:  

• Supreme Court to hear Trump’s tariff legality case in November 
• ‘De minimis’ loophole is ending; here’s what it means for online orders 
• EV tax credit ends soon, but it's still as complicated as ever: What to know 
• Consumer prices rose at annual rate of 2.9% in August, as weekly jobless claims jump 
• Download our latest white papers from UT experts on returns management and reshoring manufacturing.  
• Learn about UT’s new master’s degree in global supply chain management
• Save the date for the fall Supply Chain Forum, November 4–6 in Knoxville 
• Become a Supply Chain Forum partner 
• Subscribe to GSCI’s monthly newsletter 
• Read the latest news and insights from GSCI 

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For the August 2025 episode, co-hosts Ted Stank and Tom Goldsby spoke with Doug Gray, VP of integrated supply chain for Trane Technologies, about driving resilience in the aftermarket business, embedding sustainability into strategic decision-making, and upskilling long-tenured employees to create value in a landscape of AI and automation. 

Gray, a member of the GSCI Advisory Board, joined Trane’s executive leadership in 2024. In his role, he is accountable for the company’s supply distribution, including SIOP, order management, quality and packaging, inventory management, and distribution center operations. A global climate innovator, the company provides heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, refrigeration solutions, and connected building technologies, while maintaining a focus on reduced energy use and carbon emissions. Prior to Trane, Gray spent more than 16 years in various supply chain functions for Caterpillar Inc.  

Listen in for insights on AI adoption, aftermarket performance, inventory management, and talent development. Plus, Ted and Tom dig into the latest news about U.S. tariffs and trade relationships, the proposed merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern, and more. 

The episode was recorded during the GSCI Advisory Board meeting at the Haslam College of Business on August 20, 2025. 

Related links:  

• U.S. hikes steel, aluminum tariffs on imported appliances, railvars, and EV parts 
• How Trump’s tariffs, the AI boom, and the leadership shake-up at the Bureau of Labor Statistics will impact the economy 
• Doug Gray named a 2025 Rainmaker by DC Velocity 
• Learn about UT’s new master’s degree in global supply chain management 
• Download our latest white paper on reshoring manufacturing and the talent skills gap for U.S. labor.  
• GSCI leaders on five points of consideration from the proposed UP-NS merger 
• Save the date for the fall Supply Chain Forum, November 4–6 in Knoxville 
• Download the white paper “Future-Ready Procurement” or read our blog series  
• Join the Advanced Supply Chain Collaborative, where forward-thinking leaders and companies, like Trane, explore advanced concepts in SCM with UT scholars. 
• Sign up for one of our virtual credentials in Finance (Sept. 15-Nov. 16) and Procurement (Sept. 15–Nov. 16). 
• Become a Supply Chain Forum partner

Text the Tennessee on Supply Chain Management team!