Supply Chain Forum
Agenda
April 21–23, 2026
The Spring 2026 Supply Chain Forum will take place at the Marriott Knoxville Downtown, conveniently located between the UT campus and the heart of Knoxville. An agenda with detailed session descriptions, speaker biographies, exclusive resources, and more will be released one month before the event.
Tuesday, April 21
2-3 p.m. Check-in & Registration, Atrium
Welcome to the Spring 2026 Supply Chain Forum. Partners may check in with volunteers at the desk. Registration is required to attend the day’s two student networking events. Space is limited, so make sure to sign up early!
3-4 p.m. Graduate Student & Corporate Partner Networking, The Assembly
A structured opportunity for talent specialists with corporate partner organizations to meet students currently enrolled in Haslam’s highly ranked graduate supply chain management (SCM) programs: Full-Time MBA (SCM concentration), M.S. in Supply Chain Management Online and M.S. in Supply Chain Management (Global).
4-4:30 p.m. Break
Break time between events
4:30-5:45 p.m. Scholars of Distinction and Corporate Partner Networking, The Assembly
A dynamic and interactive networking session with UT’s Scholars of Distinction, a select group of rising second-, third-, and fourth-year SCM students eager to meet industry leaders across supply chain functions and gain firsthand knowledge of job opportunities and career paths.
5:45-8 p.m. Welcome Reception, Atrium
Join us at the Opening Reception for hors d’oeuvres, drinks, and brief remarks from GSCI Co-Executive Director Ted Stank. This casual networking event is a great opportunity to connect with other supply chain professionals and UT faculty and staff.
Wednesday, April 22
7:15-8:00 a.m. Breakfast & Check-in, The Assembly
Stop by the registration table and enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet before a day of Main and Breakout sessions.
8:00-8:30 a.m. GSCI Fellowship Award Presentation & Opening Remarks, The Assembly
Kenco Logistics President and CEO Denis Reilly, a longtime member of the GSCI Advisory Board, will be honored, followed by a brief welcome and update from GSCI Managing Director Scott DeGroot and Co-Executive Director Ted Stank.
8:30-9:15 a.m. Main Session #1—TBA, The Assembly
Invited panelists: Stuart Sandlin, president and CEO of Hapag-Lloyd AG North America, and TBA.
9:15-9:30 a.m. Break
Break time between events
9:30-10:30 a.m. Main Session #2—Live Podcast Recording with HF Sinclair’s Tom Johnson, The Assembly
Invited speaker: Tom Johnson, VP of procurement for HF Sinclair. Moderated by GSCI Co-Executive Directors Ted Stank and Tom Goldsby.
10:30-10:45 a.m. Break
Break time between events
10:45-11 a.m. NeXxus Outstanding Woman in Supply Chain Award Presentation, The Assembly
Caterpillar SVP Wendi Gentry-Stuenkel will be honored by students with the Tennessee Association of Supply Chain.
11-11:45 a.m. Main Session #3—TBA, The Assembly
Invited panelists: Wendi Gentry-Stuenkel, SVP of product support and logistics for Caterpillar Inc., and TBA
11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. Lunch
Lunch
1-2 p.m. Main Session #4—UT Student Case Competition, The Assembly
Moderated by Professor Lance Saunders.
2-2:30 p.m. Networking Break
Enjoy a 30-minute networking break with snacks in the atrium, sponsored by the UT Supply Chain Management Graduate and Executive Education programs. Learn about UT’s master’s and executive offerings while connecting with students at the reverse career fair in the hallway outside The Assembly. Student-interest tables will feature representatives from the Tennessee Association of Supply Chain (TASC), Supply Chain Analytics & Reporting Club (SCAR), SCM Career Ready, SCM Veterans, Diverse Organization Propelling Excellence (DOPE), MS SCM Global, MS SCM Online, and Women’s Organization of MBAs (WOMBA), offering a great opportunity to meet emerging supply chain talent and engage with the next generation of professionals.
2:30-3:15 p.m. Breakout Sessions
- Breakout #1—TBD, Wiley
Session description coming soon. - Breakout #2—TBD, Hope
Session description coming soon. - Breakout #3—TBD, Milani
Session description coming soon. - Breakout #4—TBD, Fulton
Session description coming soon. - Breakout #5—TBD, Clark
Session description coming soon.
3:15-3:30 p.m. Break
Break time between events
3:30-4:15 p.m. Breakout Sessions (Repeat)
4:15-5 p.m. Break
Break time between events
5-7 p.m. Partners Reception, Neyland Stadium
Join us for a vibrant evening of networking at the Transcard Premier Club in Neyland Stadium! Enjoy drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and great conversation with fellow industry leaders. Don’t miss this chance to connect, unwind, and explore the home of Tennessee Volunteers Football!
Thursday, April 23
7:15-8:15 a.m. Breakfast, The Assembly
Stop by the registration table and enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet.
8:15-9:15 a.m. Main Session #5—TBA, The Assembly
Invited panelists from Pilot Company: Adam Wright (CEO), Brad Anderson (president of retail), and Jesús Guerra (president for energy). Moderated by Chad Autry.
9:15-9:30 a.m. Break
Break time between events
9:30-10:15 a.m. Main Session #6—Beyond Supply Chain with Tennessee Athletics CFO Brad Briggs, The Assembly
Session description coming soon.
10:15-10:30 a.m. Break
Break time between events
10:30-11:15 a.m. Main Session #7—TBA, The Assembly
Invited speaker: Sarah Haffer, VP of North America Supply Chain Digital Transformation for Kimberly-Clark. Moderated by Scott DeGroot.
11:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Lunch & Closing Remarks, The Assembly
Enjoy lunch as we wrap up the Spring 2026 Supply Chain Forum with important announcements, key takeaways, and a look ahead to future events.
Supply Chain Forum
Previous Agendas
Explore the topics and speakers featured at previous Supply Chain Forums.