Alan Amling is a TED speaker and thought leader on harnessing digital disruption for success. Currently a lecturer and fellow at UT, Amling helped drive innovation over a 27-year career with UPS. He is the CEO of the advisory firm Thrive and Advance LLC and serves on the executive advisory board for the Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute. He researches, invests, advises and speaks on innovation in manufacturing and logistics and on how firms can recognize and thrive in disruption.

Amling’s last role at UPS was as vice president of corporate strategy, where he helped revitalize the company’s innovation and venture capital programs for the digital economy. He moved into this role after serving as VP of marketing for UPS Global Logistics & Distribution.

Amling began his UPS career in 1982, working as a seasonal employee for four years, performing various jobs, including package handler and car washer. He rejoined UPS after graduate school in 1992 and held numerous leadership roles in industrial engineering, customer technology and new product development. Amling has a doctorate in management from Kennesaw State University, an MBA from Indiana University and a bachelor’s in business and psychology from Lewis & Clark College.