LOG Students visit Port of Anchorage

The UAA Global Logistics Association (a.k.a. the LOG Students’ Club) visited the Port of Anchorage on April 19, 2009. The trip was arranged by Dr. Darren Prokop and hosted by Mr. Steve Ribuffo, Deputy Port Director. Mr. Ribuffo joined Dr. Prokop and his students on the “Seawolf Shuttle” and provided a ground tour of the port--- including the areas slated for intermodal expansion over the coming years. A strategic military port as well as the major marine gateway to Alaska (serving 80% of the population and delivering 90% of the state’s consumer goods), students saw the port in full swing that day with the gantry cranes busily unloading containers from the Horizon Alaska and truck trailers being quickly driven up the ramp into the Midnight Sun RO-RO (roll-on, roll-off) vessel. We thank Mr. Ribuffo for giving us a wonderful tour.

Posted: 5/02/09

Carlile Does CBPP “Meet & Greet”

Carlile Transportation Systems was invited to give a presentation at a CBPP “Meet & Greet” held on April 15, 2009. This presentation was made by Pres. Linda Leary (MS-GSCM 2004) and two of the company’s human resources officers, Chris McDonald and Krisha Ross. They discussed the role Carlile plays in Alaska’s transportation industry, the challenges and opportunities in modern motor carrier companies, and the range of fulfilling careers available to university graduates. These monthly sessions (fueled by free pizza and beverages) are opportunities for employers to meet CBPP students in order to network and discuss career options and opportunities. The event was organized by CBPP Senior Development Officer, Sue Marchant with the assistance of the Department of Logistics

Posted: 4/27/09

Dr. Prokop Wins a Third Garth N. Jones Faculty Writing Award

Dr. Darren Prokop was the 2009 recipient of the Garth N. Jones Writing Award for outstanding scholarship. The award was presented to him by CBPP Dean Elisha “Bear” Baker at the CBPP Honors Program (April 10, 2009). The award was in recognition of Dr. Prokop’s 2008 paper entitled: “Air Cargo’s Cutting Edge: Transfer Flexibility in Anchorage.” This work was published in the Canadian Journal of Transportation. Air cargo logistics has been a major strand in Dr. Prokop‘s research agenda since he joined UAA in 2000. He adds this award to those won in 2002 and 2007; making him the only CBPP faculty (to date) to have so many wins for his scholarship. Congratulations Darren, we’re very proud of you!

Posted: 4/25/09

Dr. Hedgepeth is CBPP Teacher of the Year

At the CBPP Honors Program (April 10, 2009), Dr. Oliver Hedgepeth was honored as this year’s Teacher of the Year. The award, designed as an elegant “apple for teacher”, was presented by one of his top students, Ms. Kathleen Ahern-Karnes. Always innovative in his teaching, Dr. Hedgepeth brings lively discussion and even livelier technology into the classroom. From supply chain simulation games, to RFID and nanotechnology devices, Dr. Hedgepeth has, for many years now, been taking his undergraduate and graduate students to the cutting-edge of what logistics and supply chain management is all about. He also pioneered the design and teaching of our online courses for the Graduate Certificate in Supply Chain Management. Dr. Hedgepeth’s teaching excellence is best seen in the way he takes complex problems and manages to inspire his students to explore all the angles and reach out for solutions. Congratulations Oliver, we’re very proud of you!

Posted: 4/25/09

Hallie Bissett is CBPP Alumna of the Year

At the CBPP Honors Program (April 10, 2009), Hallie Bissett (BBA Global Logistics Management; 2005) received the Alumna of the Year Award. Ms. Bissett adds this award to a long list of accomplishments. In 2007 she was one of Alaska's "Top 40 under 40" (an award given by the Alaska Journal of Commerce and the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce to young Alaskan leaders of tomorrow). She is an officer on the board of the Alaska Roundtable of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP). She is also a member of the Advisory Board for the Department of Logistics. Before joining British Petroleum (BP) as a Logistics Manager, she was the Logistics and International Trade Director of the Anchorage Economic Development Corporation (AEDC). Ms. Bissett is an example of a logistics student who has leveraged her knowledge to build a fine career for herself in the field; and she has also found time to give back to the Alaska community along the way. Congratulations Hallie, we’re very proud of you!

Posted: 4/25/09

Prokop Moderates Third Annual CBPP “Sophist Salmon” Debate

On April 3, 2009 the CBPP Seminar Committee held the 3rd Annual CBPP “Sophist Salmon” Debate. Dr. Darren Prokop, who chairs the committee, organized the debate and acted as this year’s moderator. The house resolution was: “The U.S. System is Poorly Equipped to Face the Current Crisis.” Arguing for the affirmative were Dr. Frank Jeffries (Capt.) and Dr. Rashmi Prasad, both of the Department of Business Administration. Arguing for the negative were Sophist-veterans, Dr. Gunnar Knapp (Capt.) and Dr. Steve Colt, both of ISER. Dr. Omer Carey (UAA Prof. Emeritus) served as the official coin tosser (deciding which position each team would take). The two behaviorists squared off against the two economists and the audience was not disappointed. This timely resolution did not go without passionate pleas, high-spirited remarks, and even a song from the debaters. Many comments for and against the resolution were heard from the audience. After all the dust cleared, the audience “voted with the feet” for the team for the affirmative. Drs. Jeffries and Prasad were presented with the CBPP “Sophist Salmon” Debate plaque. They will defend their championship title at next year’s debate.

Posted: 4/07/09

Dr. Hedgepeth talks “Knowledge Mapping” at CBPP Seminar Series

Dr. Oliver Hedgepeth presented a research paper at the CBPP Seminar Series on March 27, 2009. The paper, “Praxis of Knowledge Mapping: Developing a Viable-Based Knowledge Engine Using Recursive Assumption-Based Planning within the Viable System Model” discusses how knowledge flows within complex organizations--- the Viable System Model (VSM). Of course, “load-bearing” assumptions--- in an Assumption-Based Planning (ABP) framework--- are vulnerable to changing events. The discussion showed how VSM and ABP could be combined in order to better control knowledge flows. As case analyses, Dr. Hedgepeth’s approach was applied to Alaska’s Pebble Mine project and homeland security issues.

Posted: 3/30/09

LOG Faculty talk Supply Chain Leadership at CSCMP Roundtable

Drs. Darren Prokop, Oliver Hedgepeth and Philip Price joined Linda Leary (Pres., Carlile Transportation Systems & MS-GSCM 2004) for a set of briefings and panel discussion before a packed house at the BP Energy Center. The Alaska Roundtable of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) held a luncheon on March 25, 2009. The topic was “Supply Chain Leadership in a Recession: Strategies for Your Company to Survive and Thrive.” The briefings involved: (1) an update on logistics and transportation indicators (Dr. Prokop); (2) how to use information technology for cost-cutting (Dr. Hedgepeth); and (3) the importance of human capital development in a time of recession (Dr. Price). Ms. Leary joined the professors for a panel discussion and hearty dialog with the audience. The LOG faculty wishes to thank Mr. Scott Hawkins (CSCMP Roundtable President) for his warm introductions and collaboration as these briefings were developed.

Posted: 3/27/09