Small Group Sessions – Session 5 – Room Studio 1: Operational Agility & Innovation
Moderator: Andrew Byer, Founder, Principal TransformGrow Supply Chain Consulting
Tariff Mitigation & Supply Chain Resilience: 20 Proven Solutions
Speaker: Tom Cook, Managing Director, Blue Tiger International.
The Trump Administration tariff policies – and policy reversals – have once again given supply chain a seat at the executive table. Tariff mitigation strategies can also bring supply chain resilience and cost control. Global trade and compliance expert Tom Cook cuts right to the chase with 20 proven solutions that every executive should be aware of for successfully navigating Trump tariffs, bolstering the supply chain in the process.
From Robotic Uptime to Fulfillment Outcomes: Warehouse Orchestration at Scale
Speakers: Saurabh Gupta, Chief Technology Officer, GreyOrange, Asfia Yarahmad, Sr. Account Executive, GreyOrange & Kristi Montgomery, VP of Innovation, Research & Development, Kenco
Not seeing enough value from your robotic systems? The challenge may lie in coordination. GreyOrange and Kenco explore how to align hardware, software, and human agents into a synchronized network that delivers real ROI. Learn the difference between automation at a single site and across a 100-warehouse network, with real-world examples of companies shifting from uptime metrics to fulfillment outcomes.
The Supply Chain Fix That Doesn’t Require CapEx
Speakers: Terry Stumpf, Retired – Supply Chain Manager, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana and John Brooks, CEO, Warehouse on Wheels
When your business needs space yesterday, the answer isn’t more tech or spend – it’s a smarter, faster fix that keeps things moving.
Supply chain challenges don’t require another software platform or a massive capital outlay; they call for practical solutions that deliver results now. In this session, we’ll share how one of the world’s largest manufacturers cut through supply chain bottlenecks with a scalable, temporary warehouse solution that avoided long timelines and heavy costs. Learn how this Fortune 100 got big results without adding to their tech stack or making large CapEx investments.
Speakers
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Andrew ByerFounder/PrincipalTransformGrow Supply Chain Consulting LLCAfter more than 39 years in Procter & Gamble’s supply chain organization, Andrew now leads a boutique consulting company offering advisory, strategy, leadership development and consulting services. He also does industry speaking engagements, guest lecturing, writing and provides research support.
At P&G, for the last 10 years Andrew led global supply chain capability development, responsible for mastery, innovation and governance across planning, logistics, NPI and customer / supplier collaboration supporting all BU’s and regions. He was P&G’s leader in its supply chain know how licensing alliance with EY. He also led industry strategic external relationships. Prior to this, he had assignments of increasing leadership and scope across the US, Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore.
Andrew’s expertise includes digital transformation, supply chain strategy and network design, leadership and organization development, supply chain rankings, planning, recruiting, new product introduction, planning, shelf-to-cash, transportation and warehousing, contract manufacturing, major acquisition integration and program management in leading large-scale business process transformation and digitization projects. In 2021 he was inducted into P&G’s ‘Magnus Society’ which recognizes long-term mastery translated into results and capability, and in 2024 received a Lifetime Achievement “Pro’s to Know” award from Supply & Demand Chain Executive.
In addition to corporate work, Andrew’s experiences touch civic (he serves as elected Council Member) and non-profits (Board work including President, VP and Treasurer roles.)
Andrew is a graduate of Vanderbilt University. He lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, is married, and has four children.
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Asfia YarahmadSr. Account ExecutiveGreyOrangeAsfia Yarahmad is a Senior Account Executive at GreyOrange, a global leader in AI-powered robotics for supply chain automation. With more than 16 years of experience in supply chain management and a background in industrial and systems engineering, he specializes in helping 3PLs and logistics providers optimize fulfillment through automation, robotics, and orchestration software.
At GreyOrange, Asfia leads strategic initiatives that integrate robotics with AI-driven warehouse execution systems to drive efficiency, scalability, and resilience across complex networks. His expertise spans network optimization, warehouse design, automation strategy, and software integration.
Passionate about the intersection of technology and supply chain, Asfia partners with organizations to transform their operations and achieve long-term competitive advantage in an evolving logistics landscape.
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John BrooksCEOWarehouse on WheelsJohn Brooks serves as the Chief Executive Officer for Warehouse on Wheels (WOW). WOW is a family of companies representing some of America’s most respected regional trailer rental providers. We serve customers across a multitude of industries with high-quality storage, cartage, and over-the-road trailers. After starting the business in 2018 with 2 offices and 4,000 trailers, WOW has 37offices located across the United States, Mexico and Canada, over 36,000 trailers available for rent, and is proud to serve customers across various geographies.
John has multiple tours of duty working alongside leading private equity sponsors to build and reshape organizations resulting in outsized returns on capital. As CEO of WOW, he is the principal architect of the company’s business strategy and helped build out the organization from its early stages. John was recruited to WOW as their first-ever CEO. He has amassed a proven track record of building best-in-class teams across operational, commercial, and financial disciplines.
Over his 28-year career, John has served as a Financial and Operational Executive for several successful private equity back enterprises. Prior to joining ATRG, he served as Chief Financial Officer of NESCO, a portfolio company of Energy Capital Partners, and prior to that Platinum Equity. Prior to joining NESCO, John served as Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of SENCO Brands, a portfolio company of Wynnchurch Partners. Prior to SENCO, he served as Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Finance of Kuhlman Electric Corporation, a portfolio company of The Carlyle Group. John has proven experience in all aspects of finance and operations including information technology, manufacturing, assembly, distribution, sales, customer service, administration and human resources.
John holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Notre Dame, a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Bellarmine University, and was licensed as a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Kentucky prior to electing to transition to inactive status as he was no longer in a financial role.
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Kristi MontgomeryVP of Innovation, Research & DevelopmentKencoKristi is a dynamic explorer of strategic innovation that drives transformational change. She is the executive leader of Kenco Innovation Labs, a dedicated team focused on industry digital transformation and innovation, identifying over $50M in cost saving opportunities in the previous five years. With 30+ years of logistics and supply chain experience, Kristi practices applied innovation, partnering with entrepreneurs, startups, and emerging technology companies to pilot solutions and deliver business value for the 200+ customers that Kenco serves in North America.
Kristi holds a BS in Organizational Management from Covenant College and is a Certified Specialist in Design Thinking and Innovation as awarded by the Darden School of Business, University of Virginia. Kristi is an accomplished facilitator of ideation and design workshops utilizing Strategyzer, Design Thinking, Lean Startup, and a variety of innovation techniques to focus on step-level change. Kristi serves the industry speaking, participating as a panelist, and publishing articles promoting supply chain innovation. She actively supports WERC, Chattanooga Technology Council, and STEM initiatives and serves in various non-profit organizations in her community.
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Saurabh GuptaChief Technology OfficerGreyOrangeAs Chief Technology Officer, Saurabh Gupta leads GreyOrange’s global engineering and product teams, driving the innovation behind the world’s leading AI-driven orchestration platform.
Saurabh is a distinguished technology leader with a track record of steering iconic products from concept to mass production. His experience includes senior leadership roles at some of the world’s most influential companies, including Apple, Amazon, and Nvidia. At Apple, he led software development for multiple generations of iPods and the very first iPhone. Later, at Amazon, he built and spearheaded their consumer robotics research group. Saurabh co-founded and served as CTO of Wonder Workshop, a company that revolutionized the role of robotics in education. He also led advancements in AI for healthcare as the CEO of Koko.
A hands-on innovator and problem-solver, Saurabh holds over 50 technology and design patents. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in engineering from IIT-Delhi and Master of Science from Stanford University.
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Terry StumpfRetired – Supply Chain ManagerToyota Motor Manufacturing IndianaWith over two decades of experience in Human Resources at various organizations and 14 years in supply chain management at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana, Terry Stumpf “Stumper” brings a rare blend of strategic insight and operational excellence to every challenge. Having navigated both unionized and non-union environments, Stumper has developed a deep understanding of workforce dynamics, labor relations, and organizational development.
An MBA graduate and seasoned educator, Stumper has been teaching supply chain and business courses for more than 15 years at a variety of universities, inspiring future leaders with real-world expertise and a passion for continuous improvement. Known for bridging the gap between theory and practice, Stumper combines academic rigor with hands-on experience to drive performance, efficiency, and innovation across industries.
Stumper was a previous customer of Warehouse on Wheels and is looking forward to sharing his supply chain experiences and how Warehouse on Wheels solved many of Toyota’s “Pain Points” along with saving thousands of dollars.
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Thomas CookManaging DirectorBlue Tiger InternationalTom is Managing Director of Blue Tiger International (bluetigerintl.com), an international business consultancy advising on supply chain management, trade compliance, purchasing, trade and disruption management, global business and logistics. Tom was former CEO of American River International in NY and Apex Global Logistics Supply Chain Operation in LA. He is a member of the NY District Export Council and serves on the board of directors of the National Association of District Export Councils (NADEC). Blue Tiger International is a strategic partner of the US Department of Commerce. Tom has written more than 20 books on global trade, the latest scheduled for publication in fall 2025 entitled “Managing Trade and Tariff Disruption.”
