UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State Smeal College of Business Center for Supply Chain Research (CSCR) has announced the recent addition of four new members to its advisory board.
Marie Robinson from Sysco, Ron Volans from Johnson & Johnson, Andrew Spicher from Unilever and Jessica Gerhard from The Hershey Company join the four remaining members from 2022.
CSCR Advisory Board members commit to a two-year appointment. While acting in a brand and sponsor development role for Penn State, Smeal and CSCR, members remain active in CSCR-sponsored programs and events. They also provide input and guidance for the center’s strategic plan, forward-thinking initiatives and approve faculty research affiliates and fellowships.
Robinson, executive vice president and chief supply chain officer at Sysco, has more than 30 years of supply chain leadership. She previously worked for Capri Holding Limited, the parent holding company of Michael Kors, Versace and Jimmy Choo; Michael Kors Holdings Limited; ToysRUs, and a number of other leading organizations.
Spicher, demand and supply operations director at Unilever, is an experienced supply chain leader with a proven track record of delivering results. He is known for his ability to lead teams, implement process optimization, drive change, and deliver high performance.
Volans, senior director logistics, deliver, Janssen Pharmaceuticals at Johnson & Johnson, has more than 30 years of supply chain experience and leadership. He has had supply chain experiences in plan, source, make and deliver within medical devices, consumer products as well as pharmaceuticals.
Gerhard, director of demand planning and customer supply chain at The Hershey Company, partners with Hershey’s retailers and customers to create joint value and to co-plan for future growth. She has served in increasing roles of responsibility throughout her 15-year service at The Hershey Company, including operations planning, supply chain strategy, and procurement.
Linda Bixby of the NobleReach Foundation has been named the 2023 board chairperson. The vice-chairperson will be selected Feb. 21 at the board’s first meeting of the year.