Darrell Edwards is an assistant professor of practice in supply chain management at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s Haslam College of Business. Before joining the faculty, he was senior vice president and COO at La-Z-Boy Incorporated, the nation’s largest producer of reclining chairs and one of its largest home furnishings providers. Edwards has over three decades of global operations and supply chain experience, delivering significant value within consumer product industries. His interests focus on business coaching, team building, process innovation and strategy.

While at La-Z-Boy, Edwards led the global operations and supply chain for La-Z-Boy Incorporated’s Branded Business, totaling more than 9,000 employees. Additionally, he serves on the board of directors for Dovetail Brands in Grabill, Indiana. Edwards has been recognized as an award-winning leader and has steered numerous business units to achieve national and global recognition for operational excellence. He is a frequent guest speaker at various national forums and has authored articles in several business trade publications.

Edwards holds a doctorate from the Fox School of Business at Temple University, MBA from UT Knoxville and a master’s degree from the Thunderbird School of Global Management.