When and why did you join CSCMP?
I joined CSCMP in April 2009 at the suggestion of my client, mentor and friend, Paul Delp, President of Lansdale Warehouse. I love the fact that CSCMP focuses on all facets of the supply chain and integrates academia, which is truly unique among supply chain management organizations. This creates a fantastic network of thought leaders and open exchange of innovative ideas at every CSCMP event.
What advice do you have for new CSCMP members on how they can maximize their membership value?
Network, network, network! The more you get involved, the greater value you will receive. That begins with local roundtable events and of course at the annual conference.
How did you get into supply chain management?
My father was a truck driver, so I was born into the supply chain industry. The foundation of my career was at PepsiCo, where I developed software in the early 80’s to track the sale and promotion of all beverage products sold through Pepsi-managed franchises. At TNT Express in the early 90’s, I was responsible for all of IT in the Americas and implemented the very first barcode scanning in their airport hubs.
Describe your job in a tweet (i.e. 140 characters or less)
ATS helps clients ensure investments in technology improve profitability, operational efficiency & the ability to satisfy customer demands.
What are your top three job responsibilities?
- Partner with clients – O in my role as their designated Chief Technology Officer (CTO) — to develop and implement strategies that help the company attract and retain customers, enhance operations, achieve key business results, and optimize their investment in new and innovative technology.
- Manage all phases of the strategic implementation – To ensure that projects are completed on time, within budget and all objectives are achieved or exceeded.
- Conduct all sales, marketing and networking activities – To generate new business opportunities.
What is the biggest challenge you face on the job, and how are you managing it?
Juggling the work while simultaneously running all day-to-day aspects of my business can become overwhelming at times. So, I made a conscious decision to ALWAYS put my clients first and worry about my business operations second. Although I’m always “on duty” I’ve learned over time the critical importance – to my clients and my family – of trying to achieve a healthy and sane work-life balance. So, I try to force myself to manage my time efficiently during the day and “shut it down” in the evening and on weekends, if it doesn’t compromise my client commitments. That said, my clients always know how to reach me 24/7 if they need me.
What technology, trends or disruptive forces do you see having the biggest impact
Robotics, Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain. Robotics is here to stay and will continue to grow exponentially in public warehouses, distribution centers and beyond. The tsunami of change resulting from the evolution of eCommerce and mobile technology will fuel the development and acceleration in AI enterprise software. Supply chain solutions built upon blockchain will grow exponentially. Transparency Market Research predicts this will result in a $32.9 billion global supply-chain software business by 2026, Forbes, August 2018. A great example is TradeLens – the Maersk/IBM blockchain application – which has grown to 92 participants because of its ability to help shippers eliminate up to five middlemen, even for simple queries such as identifying the location of a shipping container.
If you were to start a company from scratch, what values would you build it on?
• Treat each client like they’re my only client
• Approach every decision and action with uncompromising integrity
• Ensure flawless execution on EVERY project
• Commitment, commitment, commitment
• Collaboration yields the best results
• Keep continuous improvement top of mind – for my clients and ATS
What are you proudest of?
ATS recently celebrated its 15th anniversary. Most small businesses fail within the first three years and, certainly, many didn’t survive through the Great Recession. It hasn’t been easy, requiring significant sacrifices, commitment, discipline and personal growth. I’m particularly proud of the fact that ATS customers, partners and professional contacts trust that we come from a base of integrity and our primary purpose is their success. Exceptional customer service is core to my DNA and I’m very proud that we continue to work with our very first customers while significantly expanding the services and value we provide to the supply chain industry.
If you could interview anyone, who would it be and why?
I would love to interview Napoleon Hill, the famous author of “Think and Grow Rich” and “The Law of Success.” Hill was challenged by Andrew Carnegie in 1908 to interview the nation’s best and brightest business minds about the secret to their success. Over the next 20 years, Hill personally interviewed hundreds of people, including John D. Rockefeller, Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Alexander Graham Bell, Harvey Samuel Firestone, Theodore Roosevelt, Charles M. Schwab, John Wanamaker, F. W. Woolworth and William Wrigley, Jr. The insights Hill gained from these interviews and shared in his books are just as relevant today as they were 100 years ago.