December 2022

One of our Chapter founders, great friend, and mentor, Blair Williams passed away on Wednesday, December 21, 2022. He left a remarkable legacy, here are just some of many thoughts from fellow friends. 

There will be a remembrance service for Blair Williams on Saturday February 4th at 12 noon at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton at 50 Cherry Hill Road, Princeton NJ.

If you are unable to join in person you may participate via Zoom. Details below.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88276662224...

Meeting ID: 882 7666 2224

Passcode: 105238

The ASCM community has lost a very good friend and colleague Blair Williams. He served as a past President of the Princeton South Jersey Chapter and most recently as chairman of the President’s Advisory Council.

Thank you, Blair, for having faith in me professionally and coaching me in my presidential role at the chapter. Thank you for championing me as an entrepreneur. Thank you for the long motivational talks in the parking lot after BOD meetings and Strategic Meeting sessions. Whenever I hear “value proposition” and “SWOT analysis”, Blair, you will always come to mind. Now I will say to my friends “I wish you enough”, as you wished each one of us on every email and phone call.

Rest in peace my friend. Until we meet again.

- Gayle Bruney-Phillip, ASCM PRSJ President

I first met Blair when I joined the board in 2001, trying to learn the APICS ways and scrambling to take the minutes a year later. Blair was a great mentor, friend, eager to help others. His passion for APICS was unprecedented: between education offerings, networking, and the overall chapter health. Being an avid golfer, we would often talk about our woes on the golf course. 

Blair, you will be sorely missed.

- Bob Wetherill, VP Finance, Co-VP Programs/Arrangements

I had the privilege of attending a few of Blair's classes. He was very proud of his Socratic teaching methods engaging the learners to question concepts to get a deeper understanding of the subject matter. I saw first-hand many students having their light bulbs turned on when Blair was able to steer the student to find the answers on their own. He was very passionate in his classes and the students reciprocated. Blair was a disciple advancing the importance of APICS Certifications. He understood the importance of continuous education and how the certifications filled the gaps for the ever-changing working world.

Blair will be missed by all!

- Dennis Moore, ASCM PRSJ VP Education

Blair R. Williams, when it came to Supply Chain conversations, was the most passionate person I have ever met. He was very dedicated about teaching Professionals about Supply Chain. He was very concerned and interested in our Young Professionals and their journey within our SC profession. He always reminded me that his style of teaching was to “Ask questions”! This was his method to get the students thinking.  He really enjoyed being a Mentor and although health challenged, had signed up to support a student this 2022-23 School year.

He will be missed for his enthusiasm and fervent opinions, which caused he and I multiple long conversations! When I first joined APICS, (at that time), he gifted me his book “Manufacturing for Survival” 1995; I will hold onto this book as a base reference. But also, to remind me of someone, who because there wasn’t a book, to his liking, wrote one! He was a trailblazer and for that I am grateful.

He and I also connected on Volunteerism and Charity work. His favorite saying “I wish you enough” will stick with me. He explained that some of us have an abundance and there are so many others in need., we just need enough!

Rest in Peace Blair, you won’t be forgotten!

Thanks,

- Lucille Lucas, ASCM PRSJ Director of Student Chapters

I am shocked to hear of Blair’s passing. With the loneliness of forced separation due to Covid, we were unable to meet for more than 2 years. Blair was a mentor, and an enthusiastic, enjoyable, encouraging friend and supporter of living well. He was always joyful. Knowing him was one of the best benefits of being in the APICS/ASCM group.

I, we all, will miss him.

- Dave Hollinger

Blair was a fine man who will be missed by us all. He had a way to make everyone feel involved and comfortable. Always showing genuine concern and interest for those that he interacted with. He had a wealth of knowledge that he willingly shared and continued to build upon. He held great respect for APICS, our chapter and each of us, individually.  

Thanks 

- Bryan Warshofsky, ASCM PRSJ VP Membership

I have never met Blair before, but I can tell that he was a respected mentor and a successful supply chain expert through everyone's memories and evaluations of him. I was totally touched and impressed by not only evaluations from his friends and colleagues in our Chapter, but also by his passion and motivation. I would like to do something to pass on his kindness, inspiration, and professionalism.

Rest in peace, Blair.

Thank you!

- Jenny Wang, ASCM PRSJ VP Administration

I first met Blair when I attended CSCP class in September 2009. I still recall the first meeting when he asked our class what our company strategy was. “Are you flexible and responsive” or “cost effective and efficient” was the question. I have repeated this question several times over the years during various strategy discussions. Blair was the primary instructor for many years at our company and trained many staff members. His energy and passion for the topic was an inspiration to me and other students. His legacy has left an imprint on our hearts and minds. 

May his memory be eternal. 

- Denise Papiernik, ASCM PRSJ Board Member at Large

I first met Blair about 20 years ago at an APICS event in DC. We became good friends very quickly. He and his wife Ellen took me under their wing, offering advice and support on a variety of issues. Blair was a mentor to me on the APICS courses. As I progressed into different roles as an APICS volunteer, he was my advocate and my cheerleader. Thanks to Blair, I was asked to do several presentations in India, with Blair recommending me as a speaker and arranging escorts for me during my stay in Mumbai. Over the years, he became one of my dearest friends. 

He was a giant of a man with a heart of gold. I will miss his smile, his laughter and his hugs, in short, I will miss him dearly.

- Maryanne Ross 

We lost a great educator, chapter advisor, and inspirational human being with Blair’s passing. His work with ASCM/APICS is well-known in the supply chain industry and is acknowledged in the latest version of the CPIM course curriculum. What is not so well known are the significant contributions he made to Calcutta’s population of orphans and indigent widows with connections to the former British administrators via his charities, which aided countless individuals in the aftermath of Indian independence. He and I worked for the same company in 1978 – Worthington Pump, at different facilities in NJ – and we have shared a long history of working with APICS chapters as board members. I always enjoyed teasing him that I’ve been an APICS member longer than he has (by a year), and I’ve always appreciated his concern for the financial well-being of the chapters, perhaps because he knew from Calcutta how precious each dollar was 
to aid the cause. He and I share a love of teaching, but he was far more accomplished than I am in this regard, and I will miss his sage advice in this area. His was a life truly well-lived, something the rest of us can aspire to. 
 
- John Christoffersen, ASCM PRSJ VP Marketing

December 13, 2022

ASCM PRSJ Mentoring Holiday Connection with students from Rowan University and Rowan University!

The future is bright.

November 24, 2022

November 22, 2022

Good news: The long line of shipping vessels has dropped from 109 to zero in Southern California.

"Officials declared an end to the backup of ships at Southern California’s ports more than two years after vessels began lining up in weeks long queues that became one of the most visible signs in the U.S. of the pandemic-driven turmoil in supply chains." WSJ Nov 22, 2022

November 17, 2022

Amazing PDM (Professional Development Meeting) on November 17th. Held at River Horse Brewing Co. in Ewing, NJ. This was our chapter's first state-of-the-art Hybrid meeting, with 50% remote and 50% on site attendees. A huge success, many more to come, our next Hybrid meeting will be held on January 19th at the same location!

October 19, 2022

Danaka Porter gave an excellent presentation about the applications of AI, ML and the IoT in supply chain as they relate to predictive maintenance, integrated planning, inventory management, quality optimization and much more. Lookout for upcoming Professional Development Events in November, January, February, March and April!

October 12, 2022

Introducing Foundations of Supply Chain Management

Educate your diverse and distributed workforce with Foundations of Supply Chain Management; an engaging and flexible online education program for professionals at all levels looking to enhance their supply chain knowledge.

When it comes to supply chain management is your organization looking to:

• Reduce cross-functional knowledge gaps

• Use standard terminology developed by the industry

• leader in supply chain education

• Enhance internal communication

Customize the learning program your organization needs today!

• Regardless of role, geographic location or time zone, an entire cross-functional group of students engage with the same content.
• A standardized nomenclature means that employees across the company will speak the same supply chain language –regardless of the learner’s geographical location or functional role and terms can be found in the APICS Dictionary.
• The unique blended learning structure means that independent learning in conjunction with instructor-led classes can be adapted to both the employers and employees unique scheduling needs.

Choose from six different foundational supply chain courses:

• Introduction to Supply Chain Principles
• Foundations of Inventory Management
• Foundations of Operations Planning
• Foundations of Manufacturing Management
• Foundations of Distribution and Logistics
• Foundations of Managing Operations

GET STARTED TODAY
To request a meeting to review Foundations of Supply Chain Management and discuss pricing, contact:

Dennis Moore, CPIM, CLTD, CSCP

VP of Education

[email protected]

September 8, 2022

Rowan University Club Fair

Q&A with Lucille Lucas, Director of Student Chapters

We kick started the fall semester on a beautiful day at Rowan University, where we shared a table at the Club Fair with one of our student chapters to promote and introduce ASCM PRSJ. In attendance was Lucille Lucas — Director of Student Chapters, and Bob Witherill — VP of Finance and Co-VP of Programs.

Q: How was attending the event?

A: I was impressed and happy about being in the midst. It was my first time actually on Rowan University’s campus. It is a beautiful campus! The CLUB FAIR showcased all of the CLUBS the University had to offer.

Q: Why was it important for you, personally, to attend the event?

A: I love seeing young people in action, being involved and making something happen. The “Meditation Walk” way was lined with tables and students and all were truly engaged in marketing their CLUB.There were bubbles, games, and a Student Camera Crew doing interviews. Some of the Greek Organizations, of which I assimilate, as a member of a National Greek Organization, were performing, it was great!

Q: Why is mentoring and connecting with future leaders important?

A: Mentoring is something that has assisted me through my lifetime, whether it be family, church, school, or work. It is important for young people with dreams/goals, to gain perspective, one-on-one, from someone who had similar dreams. It is also good to have a network support system in the career avenue they are seeking. If you are in Supply Chain, why not have a Global Supply Chain association (Association of Supply Chain Management (ASCM)) be your network?

Q: Anything else you’d like to share? 

A: As Director of Student Chapters, supporting Rowan University and Rider University, I take this position to heart! I am looking forward to attending Rider University’s Spring Fair and expect the same energy. Reaching back, giving back, was instilled in me early, as my Mother worked in my Elementary School and supported Special Needs Children and Tutoring programs. She was also very active in many Church activities. My Mother was my first view of Planning and Multi-Tasking, prior to that being a “thing”. I take the walk in her shoes seriously and enjoy teaching, coaching and learning from the younger generation of Professionals. The future is very bright!