Small Group Sessions – Session 1 – Room Strategy 3: Freight Market Strategies
Moderator: Brian Straight, Editor in Chief, Supply Chain Management Review
The State of Freight Markets
Moderator: Alan Amling, Distinguished Fellow, University of Tennessee.
Speaker: Jared Weisfeld, Chief Strategy Officer, RXO
Jared Weisfeld and Brian Straight discuss the state of the U.S. freight markets, including mergers and acquisitions, consolidation within the industry, and how the macro environment is impacting the freight industry.
The Automated Edge: How 3PLs Stay Ahead in a Demanding Market
Speakers: Marcos Feliciano, Sales Executive, Hai Robotics & Andy Modale, VP of Engineering Design, Maersk
This session explores how leading third-party logistics providers are using automation to gain a competitive edge, meet growing consumer demands, and improve operational efficiency. Attendees will learn why warehouse automation is a strategic fit for the 3PL industry and how it enables faster, more scalable, and reliable fulfillment. The discussion highlights real-world applications and benefits of automation in today’s fast-paced logistics and supply chain environment.
Beyond Reshoring: What Companies are Doing Now
Speaker: Rosemary Coates, Executive Director, Reshoring Institute
The push to move supply chains closer to the end user is being accelerated by tariffs and other geopolitical factors. Join noted reshoring expert Rosemary Coates as she walks you through what leading companies are doing today to mitigate their risks.
Speakers
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Alan AmlingAsst. Professor of PracticeUniversity of TennesseeDistinguished Fellow at The University of Tennessee; CEO of Thrive and Advance LLC, Alan Amling is a TED speaker and supply chain thought leader. Alan helped drive innovation over a 27-year career with UPS and is currently a Distinguished Fellow at The University of Tennessee, CEO of advisory firm Thrive and Advance LLC, and on the Executive Advisory Board for the Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute. He researches, invests, advises, and speaks on innovation in logistics and how all firms can recognize and thrive in disruption. His first book, Organizational Velocity, was released in March 2022.
Alan holds a Ph.D. in Management from Kennesaw State University, an MBA from Indiana University, and a BA in Business and Psychology from Lewis & Clark College.
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Andy ModaleVP of Engineering DesignMaerskAndy Modale is the Vice President of Engineering Design at Maersk, where he leads teams in delivering cutting-edge automation solutions for warehousing and distribution. With over 30 years of experience in engineering, project management, and sales leadership—including nearly 25 years at Honeywell Intelligrated—Andy is a proven expert in material handling and fulfillment systems.
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Jared WeisfeldChief Strategy OfficerRXOJared Weisfeld is a recognized global technology sector expert responsible for RXO’s strategy and analysis of growth opportunities, as well as overseeing engagement with the investor community. Prior to joining RXO, Mr. Weisfeld served as a managing director at Jefferies Financial Group, where he was ranked among the top three specialists in the technology, media and telecom sector on Institutional Investor’s All-America Survey for 2020 and 2021. He was previously a partner at Margate Capital Management and worked as an associate portfolio manager with Balyasny Asset Management, where he was also twice recognized as analyst of the year.
Mr. Weisfeld began his career as a technology sector analyst with the investment banking division of Credit Suisse. He holds a degree in applied economics and management from Cornell University.
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Marcos FelicianoSales ExecutiveHai RoboticsMarcos Feliciano is a sales executive with a strong track record in delivering advanced automation and supply chain solutions across the logistics, e-commerce, retail, and manufacturing industries. Currently at Hai Robotics, Marcos leverages his expertise to help businesses implement cutting-edge automation solutions that drive warehouse efficiency and scalability.
With previous roles at Körber Supply Chain, Dematic, and Toyota Material Handling Systems, Marcos is known for building trusted client relationships, tailoring automation strategies to unique operational needs, and leading end-to-end processes up to implementation to ensure lasting customer success.
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Rosemary CoatesFounder and Exec. Dir.Reshoring InstituteRosemary Coates is the Founder and Executive Director of the Reshoring Institute, a 501c3 nonprofit and non-partisan organization that is focused on expanding U.S. manufacturing. She is also the President of Blue Silk Consulting, a global supply-chain management consulting firm. She also works as an Expert Witness on legal cases involving global supply chain disputes and has worked on over 60 legal cases.
Ms. Coates has been a management consultant for 35+ years, helping over 80 global supply chain clients worldwide. She is an Amazon.com best-selling author with five Supply Chain Management books, including Reshoring Guidebook, and 42 Rules for Sourcing and Manufacturing in China, and Legal Blacksmith – How to Avoid and Defend Supply Chain Disputes.
Rosemary serves on the Board of Directors at the University of San Diego Supply Chain Management Institute and prior to the pandemic, she taught Global Supply Chain Strategy at UC Berkeley. She earned an MBA from the University of San Diego and a Bachelor of Science in Business Logistics from Arizona State University. She regularly teaches classes and seminars at the University of San Diego, UC Berkeley, and several other universities in the US and Europe.
Ms. Coates has been a management consultant for 25+ years, helping over 80 global supply chain clients worldwide. She is an Amazon.com best-selling author with five Supply Chain Management books, including Reshoring Guidebook, and 42 Rules for Sourcing and Manufacturing in China, and Legal Blacksmith — How to Avoid and Defend Supply Chain Disputes. She also works as an Expert Witness on legal cases involving global supply chain disputes.
Rosemary serves on the Board of Directors at the University of San Diego Supply Chain Management Institute and teaches Global Supply Chain Strategy at UC Berkeley. She earned an MBA from the University of San Diego and a Bachelor of Science in Business Logistics from Arizona State University.
