Short video clip of
Sgt. Eversmann

Sgt. Matt Eversmann
US Army Ranger Portrayed in Black Hawk Down

Matthew Eversmann is a testament to the true nature of war and heroism. He was immortalized in the epic film Black Hawk Down (his character was played by Josh Hartnett), which tells the heroic account of a group of elite US soldiers sent into Mogadishu, Somalia, in 1993 as part of a UN peacekeeping operation. Young Rangers and veteran Delta Force soldiers fight side by side, outnumbered and surrounded, for 18 hours in the most hostile district of Mogadishu until a rescue convoy could be mounted to retrieve them. As a part of that mission, both as a survivor and a hero, Eversmann brings to life the horrors of his experience, what he took from it, and humanizes the creed by which he lived: “Never shall I fail my comrades . . . RANGERS LEAD THE WAY!”

Karl B. Manrodt, Ph.D.

Dr. Manrodt serves an Associate Professor in the Department of Management, Marketing and Logistics and Georgia Southern University, located in Statesboro , Georgia. He is also the co-Director of the Southern Center for Logistics and Intermodal Transportation. Prior to joining Georgia Southern, he served as the Executive Director for the Office of Corporate Partnerships and the Supply Chain Strategy & Management Forum in the Department of Marketing, Logistics and Transportation at the University of Tennessee. His degrees include a B.A. in Philosophy and Psychology, Wartburg College , M.S. in Logistics, Wright State University , and his Ph.D. at the University of Tennessee. He is the recipient of the Chancellor's Citation for Professional Promise, the Walter Melville Bonham Dissertation Scholarship, both at the University of Tennessee, and the E. Grosvenor Plowman Award awarded by the Council of Logistics Management. At Georgia Southern University he was awarded the Brown & Williamson Faculty Award, 2001. He was recognized as a “2004 Rainmaker” by DC Velocity Magazine.

Steve Thompson
VP Supply Chain & Operational Excellence

Steve Thompson is Vice President, Operational Excellence and Supply Chain Management for Cardinal Health’s Presource® Products and Services division. Steve is a certified Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt and joined Cardinal Health in 2006 to help lead the company’s Lean Six Sigma transformation.

Steve began his career with General Motors Corporation at one of GM's first Lean Enterprise facilities. Over a 15 year period, he held positions in Manufacturing, Administration, Materials Management and Communications & Corporate Affairs. He joined Lear Corporation in 1999 and attained his Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and Master Black Belt Certifications. Prior to joining Cardinal Health, Steve was responsible for Lean Manufacturing Systems for Lear's North American Operations. Steve received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Windsor (Canada).

Nick Glidewell

Nick Glidewell is director of sales and information technology for Glidewell Distributing Company, a family-owned, family-operated business founded in 1946. Since 2000, Nick has overseen the company’s services to convenience stores and other retailers throughout Arkansas and Oklahoma from its headquarters in Fort Smith. Glidewell Distributing

Company’s website is www.cstoresuccess.com.

Scott Shields

Scott is the Distribution and Production Planning Manager at Mizuno USA. In this role he is responsible for the planning and execution of orders through the distribution and manufacturing operations. Scott joined Mizuno in 2001 as Business Systems Manager to implement a new Warehouse Management and Transportation Management system. Since that time he has been involved in process improvement activities and lead Mizuno’s efforts in integration to third party freight forwarding services and acceptance into U.S. Customs Importer Self Assessment Program.

Scott’s most recent project with Mizuno has been the design and implementation of their new DC that will allow for growth and customer service requirements through the year 2015.

Prior to joining Mizuno Scott spent 11 years with the Kawneer Company, a division of The Aluminum Corporation of America (ALCOA). There he held positions in Materials Management and Manufacturing planning as well as the role of Business Systems Manager for Manufacturing and Distribution Systems. Scott lead the implementation of Manufacturing and Distribution ERP systems for North America, lead the certification to ISO 9001 for the Franklin, IN plant, and implemented lean manufacturing processes at several business units.

Erich Wachendorf

Erich Wachendorf holds a BS degree in Applied Mathematics & Economics from Centre College in Danville, KY. A retired Marine Corps Officer with over 16 years of experience in commercial distribution. Erich’s experience includes being the General Manager of three start-up million square foot, fully automated retail distribution centers and leading a network of pharmaceutical distribution centers. Erich is currently responsible for managing the capital investment program for McKesson’s Pharmaceutical Division, the largest Pharmaceutical Wholesale Distributor in North America.

Russell Marzen
Executive Vice President – Warehousing, Logistics & Direct-To-Home.

Russell Marzen is a career third-party logistics and transportation professional with 16 years of experience. Prior to joining 3PD, he held key positions with leading supply chain management companies such as JB Hunt, Cardinal Logistics and Lanter Companies. His job titles have included SVP of Warehouse and Inventory Management Cardinal Logistics, VP & General Manager Lanter Dedicated Services, General Manager JB Hunt Dedicated CEO & Owner Hage Construction. And his career successes also include launching dozens of diverse transportation and warehouse sites as well as starting up numerous dedicated transportation accounts. He holds a bachelor's degree from Iowa State University, where he minored in transportation and logistics.