by Christi Mathis
CARBONDALE, Ill. — The Southern Illinois Supply Chain and Transportation Roundtable is coming to Southern Illinois University Carbondale on Nov. 2, courtesy of the College of Business and Analytics and its management program, in cooperation with the St. Louis chapter of the Association for Supply Chain Management.
This is the inaugural gathering of supply chain professionals from the region to discuss timely issues that impact businesses, and it correlates with SIU’s development of a Center for Supply Chain Management and Logistics in the College of Business and Analytics, according to Greg DeYong, associate professor of operations management. The event takes place from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Old Main Room at the SIU Student Center, 1225 Lincoln Drive.
Representatives from any business active in supply chain activities, including trucking, rail, manufacturing, warehouses and more, are welcome to attend.
DeYong said this is but the first of many planned activities involving the development of the center, which he is currently leading, with funding from a $200,000 seed grant provided by SIU alumnus Herb Shear.
“As we develop the center, our goal is to provide opportunities for students, professionals and faculty to interact with each other,” DeYong said. “This event is an excellent chance for regional supply chain professionals to interact with their peers, meet some of our students and learn from transportation and supply chain experts.”
He noted that the importance of supply chain management has become especially noticeable in recent years due to the pandemic; threatened and actual rail, dockworker and autoworkers strikes, and other situations which have caused shortages of products and other issues throughout the world.
Hear from experts
The event will include a panel discussion featuring several seasoned experts in logistics, transportation and manufacturing as well as a representative from the Illinois Department of Transportation. Panelists include:
Eric Fritsche, vice president of processing for The Material Works in Red Bud, Illinois, for 22 years. He oversees operations associated with the processing of 300,000 tons of steel annually, serving an important role in the Midwest steel supply chain.
Geno Koehler, permit unit chief for the Illinois Department of Transportation for the last decade. His responsibilities include maintaining and improving the Illinois Transportation Automated Permit (ITAP) system, overseeing and facilitating the movement of oversized/overweight shipments in Illinois and representing the state’s position with reference to regulations, laws and policies relevant to truck freight movement.
Masao Nishi, currently principal of M. Nishi Strategic Advisor, began his career designing warehouses and distribution systems for Western Electric and later worked for the food service distributor Sysco as well as serving as a consultant for large firms including KPMG and Sedlak Management Consultants. He was president of consulting subsidiary Logistics Resource Inc. for Leaseway Transportation (now Penske) and held leadership roles at Manugistics (now Blue Yonder) and the Sabre Group. In addition, he taught at St. Louis University.
Ed Weilbacher, general manager of the Kaskaskia Regional Port District, the 15th largest inland port in the country, manages shipping on the fastest growing tributary in the nation’s inland waterway system. The port district manages barge, storage, rail and conveyer systems to provide access to the Mississippi River and to support economic development and recreational opportunities in Monroe, Randolph and St. Clair counties.
Sign up now
Any business representative may register to attend the Southern Illinois Supply Chain and Transportation Roundtable through Oct. 30. The cost is $25 and covers the cost of lunch served at the event.
