$10.00 SCLA 2025: Supply Chain -Today -Tomorrow -Together The Legacy of Jack Thorn: A Visionary in Industry and in Life The Great Supply Chain Reset Rewards, Risks, and a Roadmap for Digital Transformation Running Lean: The New Labor Reality Navigating Global Supply Chain Priorities in a Shifting Policy Landscape From Transactions to Transformation: The Rise of Vested Outsourcing Always Be Closing: The Power of Storytelling to Influence the C-Suite Decoding AI: What It Really Means for Your Supply Chain Leading Differently in a VUCA World From Waste to Worth: 25 Years of Designing Responsibility into Electronics Raising the Bar: Dole’s Bold Path to Supply Chain Excellence SCLA 2025 Directory and Reference Guide
9 Editor’s Letter 50 Michael Jacobs: The Leader, The Legacy, 10 The Legacy of Jack Thorn: A Visionary in Industry and in Life A tribute to Jack Thorn’s enduring impact on industry, leadership, and the human spirit—from the factory floor to the vineyard, and everywhere in between. 11 The Great Supply Chain Reset A ReGlobalization blueprint for building resilient, regionally-integrated, and techenabled supply chains that thrive amid global disruption. 14 Rewards, Risks, and a Roadmap for Digital Transformations A practical framework for turning transformation into competitive advantage while avoiding common pitfalls. 16 Running Lean: The New Labor Reality A data-driven look at how labor shortages are reshaping supply chain strategies—and what leaders must do to stay ahead. 19 SCLA 2025 Directory and The Standard Ferguson’s Michael Jacobs receives supply chain’s highest honor for a career defined by excellence, innovation, and the teams he’s inspired to carry the baton forward. 54 From Transactions to Transformation: The Rise of Vested Outsourcing Explains how companies like Dell and Intel are embracing a collaborative, win-win model to drive innovation and long-term results. 56 From Waste to Worth: 25 Years of Designing Responsibility into Electronics A global review of Extended Producer Responsibility in electronics—what’s worked, where challenges remain, and why the next phase must prioritize reuse, circularity, and eco-design. 59 Always Be Closing: The Power of Storytelling to Influence the C-Suite How storytelling helps supply chain leaders secure C-suite support, align priorities, and drive action. Reference Guide 44 Supply Chain Crossroads: Strategic Navigation in a Divided World The five most pressing forces transforming global supply chains—from geopolitics to technology—and offers leaders a strategic playbook for resilience and adaptation. 48 2025 COE Winner: Dole’s Bold Path to Supply Chain Excellence Dole Packaged Foods earns SCLA’s highest honor by redefining sustainability and innovation in the global food supply chain. 49 Distinguished Service Award Recognition Shayne Wahlmeier of Walmart is honored with the 2025 Distinguished Service Award for his groundbreaking automation leadership and longtime contributions to the SCLA Executive Forum. 5 60 Decoding AI: What It Really Means for Your Supply Chain An expert breakdown of the four key ways AI is defined today—and how each impacts the supply chain, from practical analytics to futuristic AGI.s. 62 Leading Differently in a VUCA World How trust, agility, and supplier partnerships drive success in uncertain times.
SCLA 2025: Supply Chain…Today… Tomorrow…Together Each year, the SCLA Executive Business Forum brings together the top minds in supply chain to tackle the most pressing challenges of our time— through candid dialogue, peer-driven insight, and meaningful collaboration. This journal is an extension of that spirit: a reflection of the thought leadership shaping the field today, a roadmap for where we’re headed tomorrow, and a celebration of the connections that make us stronger—together. Thisspecial editionincludes the SCLA 2025 Executive Forum Directory(beginning on page 19), a vital resource that reflects the powerful network you are part of—a network of senior executives, innovators, and changemakers committed to elevating the profession and each other. We open with a heartfelt tribute toJack Thorn, whose legacy laid the foundation for the SCLA itself. His vision—of industry not only as a system but as a human endeavor—echoes throughout this publication. The articles that follow deliver critical insights on where supply chain is headed: • James A. Tompkinsoutlines a resilientReGlobalizationstrategy. • Rick McDonaldshares a battle-tested roadmap for digital transformation. • Kate Vitasekexplores how Vested Outsourcing is transforming partnerships. • Michael Watsondemystifies AI in supply chain with clarity and depth. • Paul Hong,Chris Jones,Dean Meyers, and others provide strategic, operational, and human-centric perspectives on a supply chain in flux. We also honor our community’s finest: • Michael Jacobs, recipient of SCLA’s Lifetime Achievement Award for a career defined by innovation and integrity • Shayne Wahlmeier, this year’s Distinguished Service Award winner • Dole Packaged Foods, recognized with the Circle of Excellence for their bold path to sustainable innovation Whether you’re joining us in a peer group, leading a panel, attending the Pitch Tank, or simply listening and learning—you are part of what makes this forum unlike any other. This issue is your companion to the conversations, relationships, and insights that define SCLA 2025. Thank you for bringing your voice, your vision, and your leadership to this community. Turn the page. The future begins here. 6 Amy Z. Thorn CEO, DBM Association Editorial Director/SCLA Journal Ron Malec Director of Creative Services Susanne Eaken Administrative Director Contributing Columnists Harry Haney Paul Hong Chris Jones Michael Knemeyer Harold Krikke, Ph.D. Rick McDonald Dean Z. Myers Mark Sayers Lizzie Smith James A. Tompkins, Ph.D. Kate Vitasek Michael Watson Published annually by: Supply Chain Leaders In Action 2938 Columbia Ave., Suite 1102 Lancaster, PA 17603 Phone: 717-295-0033 Fax: 717-299-2154 e-mail: athorn@dbm-assoc.com www.SCLAsupplychain.com Supply Chain Leaders in Action Journal, A DBM Publication 2938 Columbia Avenue, Suite 1102 Lancaster, PA 17603 Internet: www.SCLAsupplychain.com Supply Chain Leaders in Action Journal (ISSN 1535-1254) is published annually by DBM, Inc., 2938 Columbia Avenue, Suite 1102, Lancaster, PA 17603, phone 717-295-0033, fax, 717-299-2154, internet http://www.DCenter.com. Periodicals postage paid at Lancaster, PA and at additional mailing offices. Postmaster send address changes to DBM Journal, 2938 Columbia Avenue, Suite 1102, Lancaster, PA 17603. Subscriptions in the U.S. $20.00 for one year, $35.00 for two years, single copies $10.00. Subscriptions in Canada $25.00 for one year, $45.00 for two years, single copies $7.00. Outside the U.S. and Canada, $30.00 for one year, $55.00 for two years. International single copy $15.00. Send remittance in advance to DBM, 2938 Columbia Avenue, Suite 1102, Lancaster, PA 17603. Printed in the USA copyright ©2025 by DBM, Inc. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted by any means without permission from the publisher. Permission to photocopy for internet use or the internal use of specific clients is granted by DBM Inc. for libraries and other users registered with the Copyright Clearance Center, CCC provided that a base fee of $1.25 per copy of the article plus 60 cents per page is paid directly to CCC, 222 Rosewood Dr., Danvers, MA 01923
Supply Chain: Today, Tomorrow, Together Welcome to the 2025 SCLA Journal, a publication grounded in purpose, propelled by progress, and dedicated to the community of leaders shaping what’s next in global supply chain. This year’s theme, Supply Chain: Today, Tomorrow, Together, is more than a rallying cry. It reflects what makes SCLA unlike any other industry gathering. Here, we don’t just sit in sessions. We engage in honest dialogue. We don’t compete. We collaborate. And we don’t just talk about the future. We help shape it. This issue reflects the scope and spirit of that mission. From practical strategies for digital transformation and outsourcing to bold visions for sustainability, labor, and AI, the articles featured here echo the themes you’ll hear on stage throughout the Forum. Rick McDonald’s transformation roadmap pairs seamlessly with our session on the “Digital Trifecta” of mindset, skillset, and toolset. Michael Watson’s smart, clear-eyed breakdown of AI directly supports our Tuesday session on powering outcomes through AI and supply chain integration. Michael Knemeyer’s essay on the persuasive power of storytelling lays the groundwork for building business cases that resonate with executive leadership. We also take time this year to recognize leaders who represent the very best of the profession. Michael Jacobs receives the Lifetime Achievement Award, Shayne Wahlmeier is honored with the Distinguished Service Award, and Dole Packaged Foods is recognized with the Circle of Excellence Award. All will be celebrated during our awards dinner on Tuesday evening, June 10th. I want to thank Shayne Wahlmeier, Executive Committee Chair, Ben Massie, Education Committee Chair, and Karoline Dygas, Chair 9 of Supply Chain Women in Action, for their leadership and contributions. Along with the committees they lead, they shape the agenda, enrich the experience, and help bring the full vision of SCLA to life. This special edition of the Journal also includes the SCLA Membership Directory (beginning on page 19), a reflection of the highcaliber, high-trust network that makes this forum so impactful. We hope you’ll use it to build relationships that last far beyond these three days. For me, this issue is also personal. In its opening pages, I share the story of Jack Thorn, my husband, mentor, and co-architect of the SCLA. Jack believed that supply chain was never just about systems and processes. It was about people. His legacy lives on in every conversation sparked, every connection made, and every innovation born out of this extraordinary community. This week’s Forum brings that community to life. From thought-provoking panels and expert-led peer groups to the Circle of Excellence Dinner and high-energy Pitch Tank, you’ll engage with leaders who are not only navigating today’s challenges but actively shaping tomorrow’s solutions. As you read through these pages, I invite you to do what SCLA does best: lean in, challenge assumptions, share openly, and leave stronger than you arrived. Together is how we lead. Amy Thorn, CEO, Supply Chain Leaders in Action & Editorial Director, SCLA Journal
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