Tennessee on Supply Chain Management

Hosted by University of Tennessee, Knoxville's Global Supply Chain Institute

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Aug 2026

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Listen in as co-hosts Ted Stank and Tom Goldsby set sail into the world of end-to-end supply chain management. They dive deep into today’s most relevant business topics while sharing insights into pressing industry issues and tackling the challenges that keep supply chain professionals up at night. If you’re enjoying the ride, download and subscribe to Tennessee on Supply Chain Management on your favorite podcast platform.

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August 20, 2026Episode 1034 min

S4E10: The Transformation Fallacy: Why Supply Chain Change Never Really Ends with Cummins' Heather Kettelhohn

In this episode, Ted Stank is joined by favorite fill-in co-host Lance Saunders to welcome Heather Kettelhohn, executive director of global supply chain planning and logistics at Cummins and a member of the GSCI Advisory Board. Drawing on a recent two-and-a-half-year planning system implementation, Kettelhohn dismantles the caterpillar-to-butterfly fantasy that surrounds big supply chain initiatives. Going live, she argues, isn't the finish line—it's the starting point of a journey that never truly ends. She and the hosts dig into why "buy, not build" and "configure, not customize" kept Cummins out of the "we're different" trap, why bad processes only get faster (not better) when you layer technology or AI on top, and why customer value—not premium freight savings or inventory reduction—is the ROI that actually matters. The conversation gets honest about the human side of change and why leaders have to ask new questions—and celebrate quick wins and change champions—to drive real adoption. Along the way, the trio look at today's volatility—shifting tariffs, closed and reopened shipping lanes, scarce metals and helium, softening jobs numbers, and stubbornly high prices—and manage to squeeze in a running debate over Seinfeld, The Office, Ted Lasso, and Friends. The episode was recorded in person at GSCI's summer Advisory Board meeting in Knoxville, Tennessee on August 13, 2026. Related links: Learn more about Cummins at cummins.com Register for Early Access Recruiting Night for GSCI Partners, September 21 Attend the Fall SCM Career Fair , September 22 Register for virtual SCM Academies in Finance , Procurement , and Technology 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. Text the Tennessee on Supply Chain Management team!

July 30, 2026Episode 933 min

S4E9: Beyond the Chatbot: AI Agents, Parcel Intelligence & the Future of Intelligent Fulfillment with Shipium

In this episode, hosts Ted Stank and Tom Goldsby welcome back Jason Murray, co-founder and CEO of Shipium, and Thomas Deakins, VP of industry growth and adjunct lecturer in supply chain management at the University of Tennessee. The trio picks up where a previous conversation left off—only now, the AI landscape has shifted considerably. Murray offers a clear-eyed progression of where artificial intelligence actually stands today: from the machine learning roots that powered early wins at Amazon, through the generative AI wave that captivated the world with ChatGPT, and now into the era of agentic AI with systems that don't just respond to prompts, but act autonomously on behalf of organizations. He draws an important distinction between "human in the middle" and "human on the loop," and pushes back on the popular notion that dropping AI into an existing process will immediately deliver ROI. The real opportunity, he argues, lies in rethinking the process itself. The episode also touches on current supply chain headlines—tariff uncertainty, rising energy prices, and the growing infrastructure demands of AI data centers—before closing with a candid lightning round on AI myths, change management, and what Amazon got right that the rest of the industry is still catching up to. The episode was recorded virtually on July 22, 2026. Related links: Learn more about Shipium at shipium.com Listen to Jason Murray's previous GSCI podcast appearance in March 2025 Register for virtual SCM Academies in Leadership , Finance , Procurement , and Technology 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 Fill out Tom Goldsby’s survey on warehouse automation Follow GSCI on LinkedIn Subscribe to GSCI’s monthly newsletter Read the latest news and insights from GSCI. Text the Tennessee on Supply Chain Management team!

June 18, 2026Episode 834 min

S4E8: Service, Specialization, & the Evolving 3PL Landscape with Red Stag CEO Wally Shaw

In this episode, hosts Ted Stank and Tom Goldsby welcome Wally Shaw, CEO of Red Stag Fulfillment , to explore how a purpose-built 3PL is carving out a competitive edge by focusing on what others avoid. Shaw shares how Red Stag built its model around big, bulky products—an overlooked segment of the fulfillment market—and why that specialization enables stronger service performance, tighter quality control, and meaningful differentiation. He also discusses the company’s distinctive approach to service guarantees, including zero tolerance for shrinkage and financial accountability when service levels are missed. The conversation spans how leading 3PLs are navigating today’s most pressing challenges: AI adoption and automation readiness, geopolitical uncertainty, tariffs, and shifting global sourcing patterns. Shaw also offers perspective on why customer selectivity and long-term decision making can lead to better outcomes for both providers and brands. The episode was recorded virtually on June 9, 2026 . Related links: Complete the Annual 3PL Study survey for 2027 Register for virtual SCM Academies in Leadership , Finance , Procurement , and Technology 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 Fill out Tom Goldsby’s survey on warehouse automation Follow GSCI on LinkedIn Subscribe to GSCI’s monthly newsletter Read the latest news and insights from GSCI Text the Tennessee on Supply Chain Management team!

May 21, 2026Episode 733 min

S4E7: Industrial Real Estate's New Reality with KBC Advisors' Todd Steffen

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 Text the Tennessee on Supply Chain Management team!

May 6, 2026Episode 651 min

S4E6: The Reality of Oil & Gas Supply Chains with HF Sinclair VP Tom Johnson

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 Text the Tennessee on Supply Chain Management team!

March 24, 2026Episode 535 min

S4E5: Rethinking Supply Chain Planning with Mike Burnette, Lance Saunders, & Dan Pellathy

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 Text the Tennessee on Supply Chain Management team!

March 4, 2026Episode 434 min

S4E4: AI, Industrial Policy & the Regionalized Supply Chain with Zero100 Co-Founder Kevin O'Marah

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 Text the Tennessee on Supply Chain Management team!

February 4, 2026Episode 338 min

S4E3: Why Predictability Beats Flexibility in Global Trade with Hapag-Lloyd North America President Stuart Sandlin

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 Text the Tennessee on Supply Chain Management team!

December 22, 2025Episode 232 min

S4E2: The Future of UT Supply Chain Education with Yemisi Bolumole

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 Text the Tennessee on Supply Chain Management team!

November 19, 2025Episode 142 min

S4E1: Strategic Leadership in Volatile Times with Retired Rear Admiral Kevin Sweeney

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 Text the Tennessee on Supply Chain Management team!