Danny Halim
VP of Supply & Manufacturing Solutions - JDA Software Group
Mr. Halim has over 10 years of experience working with some of the largest manufacturers and distributors to optimize their supply chains and develop new innovative solutions. He has worked with companies such as Heinz, Black & Decker, ExxonMobil, and Oxford Industries to define new ways to increase the levels of planning and visibility while improving operational efficiency across their extended supply chains. Prior to JDA, Mr. Halim worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers in their supply chain practice.
Sheryl Hayes
Vice President, Systems Implementation - Fortna, Inc.
Sheryl has broad operational experience in warehousing, transportation, and distribution, with an excellent understanding of multi-functional distribution environments. Sheryl has been a leader in managing many successful major Warehouse Management System (WMS) development and implementation projects, and is an expert in process mapping and design, applying implementation methodology tools, and developing project charters, resource plans and budgets. Sheryl also has significant experience in managing WMS design and implementation issues and leading cross-functional teams to identify and develop functional requirements, business processes, test plans and training documentation.
Jerry Hempstead
President - Hempstead Consulting
Jerry Hempstead retired from the parcel industry in 2006 after 32 years of service. Since that time, he has been busy in China, helping to plan and develop a domestic hub and spoke transportation network as well as providing advice and counsel on pricing and strategy to shippers throughout the US. He is a frequent speaker and lecturer on transportation and logistics and has written scores of articles on the subject.
Jerry is a graduate of Villanova University, did two years of Post graduate work at St Johns University and is currently working on his Masters in Theology at St Leos University. He is the past recipient of the Transportation of the Year award from Delta Nu Alpha, the Franklin Award from the Mail Systems Management Assn and the lifetime award of a Distinguished Logistics Professional (DLP) from the American Society of Transportation and Logistics. He can be reached at www.hempsteadconsulting.com.
Gary Randall
Director of Marketing and Solutions Management – American Barcode and RFID, Inc.
Mr. Randall is responsible for defining the solutions, products, and partners that will best meet the requirements of AB&R customers and their applications. He has been a member of the team since 1997 as it has grown from a small sales-driven company serving Arizona, to a now full end-to-end solution provider with an international customer reach targeting manufacturing, distribution logistics, and healthcare solutions. A 1987 graduate of Southern Illinois University with degrees in Finance and Marketing, Mr. Randall, his wife Niki and their three daughters make their home in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Karen Rasmussen
President & CEO - Arizona Trucking Association
In addition to serving as President & CEO of the Arizona Trucking Association, Ms. Rasmussen serves on a number of transportation and trucking boards and committees. She is currently chairman of the Trucking Associations Executive Council. She is Arizona’s private sector representative to the Board of Directors that oversees the PrePass truck pre-clearance program, represents the trucking industry on the Governor’s Canamex Task Force and serves on the Arizona Chamber of Commerce’s Transportation Committee.
Prior to being recruited to head ATA in 2001, Ms. Rasmussen served as Director of Government Relations for Ryder System, Inc., the Fortune 500 commercial truck leasing and logistics company. From the company’s Washington, D.C. office, she represented Ryder on state governmental issues affecting the company’s leasing and logistics operations in 46 states, including those involving toll roads and related facilities. Before joining Ryder in early 1997, Ms. Rasmussen spent nearly 13 years with the California Trucking Association in positions ranging from Director of Governmental Affairs to Vice President. In that capacity, she worked on several state and federal transportation initiatives.
Andrew Reese
Editor - Supply & Demand Chain Executive Magazine
Andrew K. Reese is Editor of Supply & Demand Chain Executive (Cygnus Business Media), a leading business magazine for senior corporate executives and other management professionals enabling their companies' supply chains for competitive advantage. Reese joined the magazine in May 2000. He has more than 15 years experience in research and writing, including working as a consultant in Moscow, Russia, with leading Western technology and consumer-products companies entering the post-Soviet market. Previously, he worked as a writer and editor at Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit organizations. Reese holds a B.A. in Journalism from Arizona State University and an M.A. in Soviet Studies from Harvard University. He lives in the Phoenix area with his wife and son.
Deep SenGupta
Senior Manager, Trade & Customs - FedEx
Deep is the Senior Manager of the “Trade & Customs Advisory Services (TCAS)” group within FedEx Trade Networks (FTN). Deep has been with the TCAS team since its inception in early 2002 and is based out of San Francisco. He routinely provides assistance to companies in unraveling complex Customs regimes, both within the U.S as well as on a world-wide basis.
Prior to joining FedEx, Deep was a Manager with KPMG’s Asia Pacific Tax practice from 1997. In that capacity he has advised several Fortune 500 clients on the international trade, customs and legal implications of their South-Asian operations. Deep also helped establish KPMG’s International Trade & Customs practice in India.
A lawyer by training, Deep obtained his basic legal training (LL.B) in India and then obtained a Masters in Law (Taxation) from the University of Washington - School of Law (2001) in Seattle, WA where he won the Graduate Tax program Merit Scholarship. Deep has been appointed by the U.S Secretary of Commerce to the District Export Council of Northern California. Deep has also received executive education on International Trade policy and law at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.
Jim Smith
President - Avnet Logistics
Jim Smith was promoted to president, Avnet Logistics, in June 2006 and is a member of the Avnet Executive Board. Mr. Smith reports to Avnet Chief Operating Officer Rick Hamada. A 36-year veteran of the electronics industry, Mr. Smith most recently served as senior vice president of Warehousing & Distribution Worldwide for Avnet Logistics. Prior to that, he held the post of senior vice president and director of operations for Avnet Electronics Marketing Americas, the company's largest operating group. He joined Avnet in 2000.
In addition to his Avnet Logistics management responsibilities, Mr. Smith is frequently tapped for his insight on industry topics ranging from international standards for the reduction of hazardous substances to physical security and transportation. In March 2007 he was named to the prestigious list of Provider Pros to Know from Supply & Demand Chain Executive magazine, which annually recognizes executives who have personally helped raise the profile and increase the importance of Supply Chain as a strategic enterprise function. Mr. Smith is a graduate of the Executive Program at the UCLA Graduate School of Management. He served in the United States Marine Corp and is a Viet Nam veteran.