Allen Clifford has more than 40 years of experience in the maritime industry. He was instrumental in building MSC’s U.S. client base and initial business practices as their first U.S. employee. He also serves as Co-Chairman for the Containerization and Intermodal Institute, the oldest container-based organization in the U.S.

Allen Sherwin has almost 40 years of experience in the supply chain industry. He has experience in aerospace, process improvement, product development, change management, strategic sourcing, defense, continuous improvement, business process improvement, Kaizen, procurement, Six Sigma, supply management, government contracting, and forecasting.

Andrew Koenig worked his way up to CEO by working in almost all divisions of CITY Furniture, from the receiving department to streamlining the operations department. Andrew is a champion of the Lean Philosophy after spending time at Toyota’s headquarters in Japan. He introduced Lean Thinking to CITY Furniture in 2007 and the company has seen major breakthroughs in turnover reduction, operational process improvement, customer experience, safety, associate satisfaction, strategic planning, financial success and much more.

Bart De Muynck, Chief Industry Officer for project44 and past Vice President of Supply Chain Research at Gartner, focuses his research on the following delivery processes: transportation management, transportation visibility, freight payment, analytics, yard management, vehicle routing and scheduling, last mile, and fleet telematics. Bart also researches emerging technologies such as AI/ML, advanced analytics, and blockchain as they relate to transportation.

Bill Catania is a tech start-up entrepreneur, founder and CEO of OneRail, an Orlando-based omnichannel fulfillment solution providing shippers with the speed and dependability to rapidly scale their businesses and offer an exceptional customer experience.  Through its real-time network of 12M drivers, OneRail finds the right vehicle for the right delivery, so shippers gain low prices and greater capacity to keep their delivery promise. This people-plus-platform approach features a 24/7 USA-based exceptions team who maintain a 99% on-time rate.  OneRail was recently ranked No. 23 on Forbes’ list of America’s Best Startup Employers, No. 48 on the Inc. 5000 as well as FreighTech 100 and SupplyChainBrain 100 Great Supply Chain Partners.

Bobby Harris is the Founder and CEO of BlueGrace Logistics, a tech-enabled 3rd party logistics firm headquartered in Tampa, FL. BlueGrace is known for a focus on high-performance shipping technology and an innovative culture since its inception in 2009. BlueGrace has been named one of Tampa’s best places to work for many years in a row. Bobby is an active investor in several businesses and sits on the Board of Marathon Group. Mr. Harris is a member of YPO, and proudly supports the Humane Society of Tampa Bay as a member of the Advisory Council. He also sits on the Board of Trustees for the University of Tampa. Bobby has been featured in the media including MSNBC, the Today Show, the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, CNBC in addition to many other outlets. Academically, he earned a B.A. in Psychology from the University of South Florida.

Carlos Diaz helped form the Mexico-US niche maritime carrier and continues to add to this success story in the maritime and logistic industries. Carlos has extensive experience developing high-impact business strategies and a track record of creating and executing strategic business plans that yield positive bottom-line results. With almost 30 years of transportation industry experience, he is proficient in strategic planning, building, and maintaining customer relationships. 

Mr. Sawchuk leads Hackett’s global sourcing and procurement advisory practice. He has over 20 years of experience in supply management, working directly with the Global 2000 and midsized companies around the globe, and in a variety of industries to improve all aspects of supply management, including process redesign, technology enablement, operations strategy planning, organizational change and strategic sourcing. He is a regular contributor to business publications, a frequent presenter at industry events, and author of numerous research papers and books.

Chris Smith is an accomplished leader with 20 years of experience delivering turnkey manufacturing solutions through knowledge of products, markets, commodities, engineering, quality, and global financial drivers. He has extensive international experience in manufacturing as well as employee development and management, supplier development, financial analysis, and industrial engineering.

Darren Hohensee serves as the Strategic Partnerships Lead for Veryable's Southeast region. Since 2021, Darren has worked with manufacturing and distribution companies throughout Florida to implement technology solutions that target current workforce trends. As the partnerships lead, Darren is responsible for developing long-lasting relationships with local and regional leaders from the private and public sectors. Prior to joining Veryable, Darren worked as a consultant for municipal projects and led the asset management program for Daimler AG in Detroit, MI.

Dave Maddox is responsible for engaging with shippers and offering tools that empower meaningful logistics relationships. He specializes in supply chain and transportation sales, with operations management in distribution, supply chain cost improvement, and transportation. He has 40 years of experience with a variety of companies, including the following: Lowe’s; National Freight, Inc.; Heartland Express; Exel Logistics; Southern Freight Carrier, Inc; Mervyn’s; and Foley’s.

Doug Davidson is an accomplished banking executive with more than 15 years of experience in commercial banking, business banking, and global treasury management services. As a senior banking executive in North Florida for Bank of America Merrill Lynch Global Commercial Banking, Doug leads a team responsible for investment banking services as well as assisting clients with traditional commercial banking services.

Elaine Singleton joined USF in October 2019, assuming the role of co-director of the Monica Wooden Center for Supply Chain Management & Sustainability, coming from California where she was the officer & vice president of Technicolor Global Logistics. She previously was the vice president of North America supply chain for The Walt Disney Company and held management positions with Williams-Sonoma and Target. Elaine’s three-decade career has encompassed end-to-end supply chain operations that have included strategic design, tactical execution and team building.

Hady Jawar is originally from Beirut, Lebanon and has been with Maersk for more than seven years. He has a sales background specializing in the transportation and logistics industry. His industry connections come from his experience working for both medium-sized family businesses and corporate multinationals which helps him constantly improve and evolve his skills.

Halle Horne is a Senior Director responsible for Supply Chain Execution at Blue Origin. Halle is responsible for the Procurement and Supply Chain Program Management organizations. Prior to joining Blue, she served as the director of programs for Northrop Grumman Aeronautics System with expanding leadership roles within Supply Chain. Halle holds a bachelor's degree from University of Akron and a master’s degree from Mississippi State University. One of Halle's favourite quotes is "Leadership is a choice, not a position."

Harry Moser founded the Reshoring Initiative to help bring manufacturing jobs back to the U.S. He works to improve U.S. competitiveness by providing the data and tools to enable companies to decide to reshore by advocating for needed policy changes and by strengthening the U.S. skilled workforce. Harry served on the boards of National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) and Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC), leading manufacturing credentialing organizations. He was inducted into the Industry Week Manufacturing Hall of Fame in 2010 and participated in President Obama’s 2012 Insourcing Forum at the White House.

Janice Lucas has more than 20 years of experience creating, building, managing and improving global transportation networks. She has proven leadership in high-growth competitive industries, extensive training within the international trades’ arena, and specific experience with internationally diverse customer base, vendors, logistics forwarders, carriers and brokers.

Jasen Holman has been with Bealls for eight years and has served in several positions within the organization, including merchandise support and project management in IT. Jason has an extensive background in engineering and process improvement management. He has spent the last three years leading the Bealls Import Transportation team.

Jeff Sheffield has more than 30 years of experience in the transportation industry. He is responsible for leading regional coordination and policy development in Northeast Florida as well as overseeing project management for the various short and long-range transportation programs and studies prescribed by federal law. Working with partner agencies, he has championed results-oriented investment in intelligent transportation systems (ITS), traffic incident management, safety, bicycle and pedestrian planning, freight and logistics planning, Clean Fuels and multi-modal improvements. Most recently, Mr. Sheffield has focused on innovation through the Smart North Florida Initiative. An outgrowth of the North Florida TPO Intelligent Transportation Systems program, Smart North Florida is a non-profit organization focused on resource investment in three areas: regional collaboration, data coordination and smart technology.

Jesse Kreinbrink is an accomplished professional driving supply chain best practices and guiding principles with over 25 years of experience across retail, defense, and telecom industries.  He currently manages the supply chain operations within Rooms To Go Furniture, Inc., focusing on improving supply chain execution strategies and continuous improvement methodology that reduce costs and eliminate waste.

J.C. Renshaw has more than 30 years of supply chain experience in labor, infrastructure, logistics, and incentives to address issues and opportunities within supply chains. He currently serves as a supply chain advisor for clients in Charleston, across the U.S. and Canada with a primary focus on network strategy and optimization; inside-the-box layout, flow, and operational efficiency; and capability maturity and performance opportunities.

Justin Miller oversees the operational excellence of automation operations across the ambient Walmart Supply Chain. He drives new operating models, standardizes the ways of working, implements OEE rigor, and delivers overall training support/strategies for each site. Justin has 25 years of experience with Walmart with the past seven years being dedicated to optimizing the automation technology first launched in Brooksville, FL, at the Proof-of-Concept stage, and is now rolling out the automation to the 42 Regional Distributions Centers across the U.S. 

Kaylee Botts is a Senior Operations Manager for Amazon Air in Lakeland, FL. She started working for Amazon upon graduation from the University of South Florida (USF) Supply Chain Program. She currently works as the Change Senior Operations Manager and is responsible for the Continuous Improvement program, strategic projects, and both short- and long-term capacity planning.

Laura DiBella is the first female Secretary of Commerce for Florida and President and CEO of Enterprise Florida, Inc. She assists companies in relocating to Florida and expanding business for those already in the state. Laura has significant experience in the high-profile recruitment and expansion of projects encompassing manufacturing, corporate headquarters, healthcare, and logistics. Additionally, she organized the Southeastern United States-Japan conference, and previously served as the first full-time Executive Director of the Florida Harbor Pilots Association, Executive Director of the Nassau County Economic Development Board, and as Port Director for the Port of Fernandina, Ocean Highway, and Port Authority of Nassau County.

Lauren Farrell leads and manages the Florida Spaceport Improvement Program which includes statewide planning and infrastructure improvement, funding, tracking, and execution of the Florida Spaceport System Plan and the Cape Canaveral Spaceport Complex Master Plan. She was previously District Program Manager for Spaceports and Aviation at FDOT where she developed and executed a five-year work program for 20 airports and the Cape Canaveral Spaceport.

Lt. Gen. David Buck served 40 years in the U.S. Air Force. His career was dedicated to space, nuclear, and cyberspace operations where he directed USSTRATCOM space forces in support of national security and combatant commander objectives. David is an expert in space operations and testified twice before the U.S. House of Representatives Arms Services Committee. He retired as Commander, Joint Functional Component Command for Space and Commander, 14th Air Force at Vandenberg Air Force Base and now serves as President of BRPH Mission Solutions.

Luis Hernandez has 15 years of experience in the intermodal industry. He is an experienced Vice President with a demonstrated history of working in the B2B sales industry. Luis is skilled in negotiation, business planning, import, operations management, and sales. 

Mark Baxa’s supply chain industry career spans more than 37 years. He is President and CEO of the CSCMP and serves as co-lead for the St. Louis University Center of Supply Chain Excellence Global Supply Chain Certificate Program where he is an adjunct professional instructor. Mark has facilitated supply chain policy development at the U.S. federal level and has specific experience in logistics, distribution, global trade, procurement, sustainability, supplier diversity, training, and supply chain strategy leadership.

Mark D. Bontrager serves as the senior civilian advisor to the Director, Launch and Range Operations on matters relating to legislative authorities, policy, launch and range operations, resources, and contracts. Space Systems Command Launch and Range Operations provides policy, guidance, and resources for all US Space Force launch and range operations including integration of operational priorities, system readiness, manifesting, and mission partner support across the Department of Defense and the inter-agency.

Matt Bocchino is responsible for spaceport infrastructure, establishing operational protocols, and managing the development of telemetry and range safety at Cecil Airport and Spaceport. A licensed private pilot, Matt has a diverse background in managing operational and facility contracts as well as experience working with the Jacksonville community to promote local economy and business growth.

Matt Fain is the Co-Founder and CEO of PopCapacity, a cloud-based platform provider that enables shippers and suppliers to connect seamlessly. He previously owned a third-party logistics franchise and a business specializing in high-value, time-critical, urgent freight. After realizing how final mile logistics, warehousing, and fulfilment were changing, he partnered to create PopCapacity.

Mike Aller is a proven leader and economic policy expert with more than twenty years of experience in advanced manufacturing and energy policy, supply chain optimization, and technology-based economic development. Mike has worked to develop and rollout various tools and resources to support the interconnectedness, growth, productivity, and resilience of Florida’s and our nation’s manufacturing ecosystem.

Monica Wooden is co-founder and past CEO of MercuryGate International, Inc. There she developed MercuryGate into one of the most sophisticated and flexible Transportation Management Systems (TMS) available. Prior to MercuryGate, Monica worked for IBM. She has been recognized in Forbes, Southeast Women in Business, and received the Ernst &Young Entrepreneur of the Year award for the Southeast region.

Reade Kidd is CEO and founder of EDRAY, a technology-driven platform that dramatically changes the handling and process flow of international and domestic containers at U.S. ports and rail yards creating a new standard for import and export container flow. He has 20 years of experience in the supply chain industry both in the U.S. and globally with companies like Home Depot and Maersk.

Rochelle Savel has more than 20 years of experience in the supply chain industry. She is responsible for building new supply chains for Corning’s innovations and new businesses. In addition, Rochelle is responsible for optimizing the supply chain of existing businesses focusing on cost, cash, and lead time to customers. She is a Chair of the North Carolina chapter of Women in Manufacturing, a national association dedicated to inspiring, developing and promoting women who are pursuing or have chosen a career in the manufacturing industry.

Shane Williams is recognized as a Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) and economic development expert. He has overseen one of the largest FTZ projects in the country while working with local communities on incentives to bring new businesses into the U.S. He specializes in international trade, Foreign Trade Zones, free trade zones, economic development, supply chain, port logistics, community relations, and government relations.

TJ Villamil is the Senior Vice President of the International Trade and Development (ITD) unit at Enterprise Florida, Inc. The ITD division is considered one of the best statewide international economic development organizations in the U.S. It focuses on assisting Florida companies in export sales and promotion, Foreign Direct Investment, and supporting the Governor of Florida Executive Office.

With over 26 years in Software Development, Trisha Hendrickson has successfully led various technical teams in implementing and delivering solutions for mid-size and large corporations. In Trisha's current role at Ryder Systems, she provides technical leadership and expertise with the modernization of systems, RPA automation and BPMS implementations. Her focus is to continuously build scalable solutions and provide faster delivery using custom development that brings efficiency and savings to the organization.

Wade Elliott is the Senior Vice President of Marketing and Business Development for the Port of Tampa Bay. He has more than 30 years of port business development and research experience working with clients across the globe. Wade is the Chairman of the Tampa Foreign Trade Zone and serves on the boards of the Tampa Port Ministries Seafarers’ Center and the Central–North Florida District Export Council.

Dr. Walter Kemmsies is widely viewed as one of the foremost experts on ports, rail, and infrastructure in the U.S. His areas of expertise include demand forecasting, maritime and overall global trade regulatory issues, public and private port and infrastructure financing, and long-term strategic planning and capital investment. Having worked in major cities all over the world, Walter has a global perspective which uniquely qualifies him as a global trade economist.