Board of Advisors

  • Jason Fischer
    Jason Fischer

    Director, Supply Chain – Operations, Chick-fil-A

    Jason Fischer serves the Chick-fil-A by working on the CFA distribution roll out team. Chick-fil-A is privately held and family owned and is the largest quick-service chicken restaurant chain in the United States, with over 2,500 locations in 48 states and the District of Columbia. In 2018, annual sales were over $10 billion. Chick-fil-A has set itself apart by pioneering innovations and delicious products.

    Jason started his career in distribution working in the Wal-Mart Supply Chain, where he held various positions learning the value of leadership and innovation. Previously, Jason served as the Vice President of U.S. Operations for Martin-Brower. Jason provided leadership and support for Martin-Brower’s distribution across the U.S. Business. Martin-Brower is McDonald’s largest distributor in the United States, Canada, Latin America, the UK, APMEA and the Middle East delivering over 500 million cases of product to more than 16,600 restaurants each year. Martin-Brower operates 40+ distribution centers worldwide with over 8,000 employees.

    Jason holds a MBA and a BS in Business Administration from the University of Florida. Jason and his wife, Veronica, have a daughter, Riley Grace, and live in the Atlanta area. Roni operates a CrossFit gym. Riley attends the University of Florida where she plays volleyball. If they are not watching Gator volleyball, they can be found on the golf course or a CrossFit gym.
  • Walter Garvin
    Walter Garvin

    Professor of Practice in the College of Engineering at Clemson University

    Walter Garvin is currently serving as a Professor of Practice in the College of Engineering at Clemson University.

    Recently, Walter retired from Jabil Inc where he served as Vice President of Global Lean Six Sigma & Industrial Engineering for Jabil. He joined Jabil in 2000 as Corporate Industrial Engineer for Europe and has held various positions in industrial engineering, and lean and continuous improvement in Europe and the USA.

    Prior to Jabil, Walter worked in various manufacturing industries in Automotive, Textiles, High Tech and Consumer Products industry sectors.

    He has a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from Clemson University as well as a master’s degree in industrial and systems engineering and an MBA, both from the University of Florida. Walter is a certified Black Belt and Quality Engineer with ASQ and a certified Lean Master with IISE. Walter has been awarded the prestigious Fellow Award by IISE.
  • Benjamin Gordon
    Benjamin Gordon

    Managing Partner, Cambridge Capital

    Benjamin Gordon is the Managing Partner for Cambridge Capital, a leading investor, advisor and partner for successful companies in the supply chain sector. Cambridge has invested in several outstanding transportation, logistics, and supply chain technology companies including Grand Junction, XPO, Bringg, and others. Cambridge and its affiliate, BGSA, have also advised companies including UPS, YRCW, GENCO, NFI and others.

    Prior to Cambridge Capital, Benjamin founded 3PLex, the Internet solution enabling third-party logistics companies to automate their business. Benjamin raised $28 million from blue-chip investors including Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, BancBoston Ventures, Con-Way, and Ionian. 3PLex has since been sold to Maersk.

    Prior to 3PLex, Benjamin led strategy projects in transportation and technology at Mercer Management Consulting, where he developed one of the first e-commerce and logistics business models.

    Benjamin is a published author and recognized expert on transportation and logistics, and has been quoted extensively by national media including CNBC, The New York Times, Business Week, ABC, Lehrer News Hour, Journal of Commerce, Transport Topics, Supply Chain Management Quarterly, and Traffic World. Benjamin has been a featured speaker, moderator, and/or chairman at the 3PL Summit, Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP), NASSTRAC, the Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA), AMB, the International Warehousing and Logistics Association (IWLA), and other industry events. In addition, Benjamin leads the annual BGSA Supply Chain conference, the largest annual conference for CEOs from all segments of the global supply chain.

    Benjamin is an active civic leader who is committed to giving back to the community. As founder and chairman of GesherCity, he has boosted young adult volunteerism, expanding the organization from startup to over 100,000 members in twenty locations. Benjamin has also served as Chairman of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO) of Palm Beach. Benjamin has served on the Boards of several non-profit groups, including the Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), JCC Association, Palm Beach United Way, Palm Beach Federation, Palm Beach YPO, the Middle East Forum, and various other community organizations.

    Benjamin received a Masters in Business Administration from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale College.
  • Nick Gowen
    Nick Gowen

    Senior Vice President, J.B. Hunt 360

    Nick Gowen is the Senior Vice President of J.B. Hunt 360. J.B. Hunt 360 is the industry leading digital freight platform dedicated to creating the most efficient transportation network in North America. Prior to this role, Nick served as a Senior Vice President of Transportation for the ICS division with responsibility over dry van freight brokerage. In his 24-year career with J.B. Hunt, Nick has worked across all divisions in multiple capacities including engineering, pricing and operations.

    Nick holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from the University of Arkansas and has a Master of Business Administration from John Brown University. He is the proud father of 3 daughters and an avid cyclist.
  • Samuel Hall
    Samuel P. Hall

    Chief Operations Officer, Aging True

    Samuel P. Hall, Sr., is the Chief Operations Officer of Aging True, a North Florida corporation that provides a full array of services to senior citizens and caregivers from affordable housing and health services to nutrition programs.

    His professional experience spans a variety of industries from Fortune 500 corporations, including Cintas Corporation and General Motors and large academic institutions. During his 30 years as a Human Resources executive, he has experience in various regions of the United States and Canada. He has specialized in Labor Relations, Employee Recruitment, and Employee Training &Development. He has managed a wide range of teams within the consumer banking industry, the business-to-business services industry, and the non-profit sector.

    Sam has served on various boards of non-profit agencies and academic institutions throughout the country, specializing in curriculum development. He is a graduate of Leadership Detroit and Leadership Jacksonville. He is a certified Human Resources professional, with an MBA and a bachelor’s degree in management from Jacksonville University.
  • Kevin Kenney
    Kevin Kenney

    Senior Vice President – Growth and Client Success, CareBridge Health

    Kevin Kenney has been in healthcare for over 25 years and has a passion for delivering healthcare services to underserved populations. Currently, he is the Senior Vice President of Growth and Client Success at CareBridge Health. In addition, he serves on the Board of Trustees for the Florida Council on Aging. Prior to CareBridge, Kevin held senior level positions Florida Blue, DaVita, and Accenture.

    Kevin is a proud Gator holding both a B.S. and M.B.A. from the University of Florida. Kevin and his family live in Jacksonville, Florida.
  • Graham Leary
    Graham Leary

    President, James Alistair
    Email Graham | Graham on LinkedIn

    Graham has had an extensive career domestically and internationally in procurement, global sourcing, retail and consumer products. Currently, he serves as President for James Alistair, a procurement consulting company. Prior to this, Graham was V-P strategic sourcing for Southeastern Grocers, a large regional grocer based in Jacksonville, Florida operating banners such as: Bi-Lo, Harveys, Winn-Dixie and Fresco Y Mas. At SEG, he led sourcing and negotiations for: private label products, national brands, commodity proteins, pharmaceuticals and goods & services not for resale.

    Previously, Graham served as Vice President, Global Sourcing for Black & Decker’s Hardware & Home Improvement Group based in California, with responsibility for procurement and global product sourcing.

    Prior to Black & Decker, Graham spent 17 years at Colgate-Palmolive Company, both at their New York headquarters and in Australia. At Colgate, Graham held various global product sourcing and procurement roles and spent considerable time working internationally.

    Graham earned his Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Otago, New Zealand and his EMBA from Jacksonville University, Florida.
  • Steve Strachota
    Steve Strachota

    Chief Operating Officer, Ja-Ru

    Steve Strachota is the Chief Operating Officer for Ja-Ru, an family run international toy company selling in over 30 countries. Ja-Ru has offices in Jacksonville, Florida and Hong Kong. He oversees all aspects of the company’s operations including product development, strategic sourcing, warehouse operations, sales, IT, finance and office support functions.
    Steve’s work experience includes several global retailers and consumer product companies. He spent over 18 years in Europe serving a variety of roles in finance, operations and supply chain.

    Most recently he served as the Executive Vice President of Supply Chain, Central Operations and Information Technology for Southeastern Grocers (SEG), parent company of Winn Dixie, BI-LO, Fresco y Más, and Harveys. SEG is one of the largest conventional supermarket companies in the U.S. serving customers in grocery stores, liquor stores and in-store pharmacies throughout the seven southeastern states The company is based in Jacksonville, Florida.

    Steve also served as the UK’s Operations and Development Director for Tesco (4th largest global retailer). He also led their UK distribution network for UK and Ireland. Steve’s responsibilities included the transformation of the supply network to better serve convenience stores, fresh food delivery and online shopping. He joined Tesco in 2010 as Chief Finance Officer for Tesco’s Czech, Slovak and Polish businesses.

    Steve’s previous experiences include a variety of general management, strategy and finance positions with Cadbury and Procter & Gamble throughout Europe and the U.S. At Cadbury, he served as CEO of Cadbury’s Russian & CIS businesses. Before joining Cadbury in 2003, he was the Western European Finance Associate Director for P&G’s Health Care division, operating first in London and then Geneva.

    Steve holds an MBA from Duke University, and a bachelor’s degree in Finance and Economics from Wittenberg University.

Annual Meeting

Complete agenda and supporting materials from the April 5, 2018 meeting.

Benjamin Gordon

The SCM Center at the University of Florida is effectively positioned to communicate best practices in the use of technology to manage both domestic and international supply chains.

Benjamin Gordon
Managing Partner, Cambridge Capital