Dr. Barry Asmus, Senior Economist, National Center for Policy Analysis

Dr. Asmus speaks, testifies, writes and consults on political and business issues facing America. Named by USA Today as one of the five most requested speakers in the United States, he is an expert at explaining the economic concepts needed to navigate the evolving network economy. Based on durable free market economic principles, his presentations apply the current issues of the information economy to help decision-makers develop informed and effective choices in a global, e-commerce world.

Dr. Asmus has presented to worldwide firms like Compaq, Hewlett Packard, IBM and a host of other audiences. He was twice voted the Outstanding Professor of the Year, as well as honored with the Freedom Foundation Award at Valley Forge for Private Enterprise Education.

Dan Gardner, President - Freight Management, Latin America, Exel

As Exel's President, Freight Management, Latin America, Daniel L. Gardner leadership touches more than 74,000 associates spread among 120 countries across the world.   Prior to joining Exel, Dan held senior management positions in the industry with other logistics companies. In addition to his professional experience, Mr. Gardner is an adjunct faculty member of both the University of Miami and Florida international University Graduate Business School, where he is a professor of Global Logistics and Supply Chain Management. Gardner is the author of the newly published book, Supply Chain Vector: Methods for Linking the Execution of Global Business Models with Financial Results , available through J. Ross Publishing.  

Natalie Hughes , Director of Business Development, RedPrairie

Natalie Hughes is Director of Business Development for RedPrairie focusing on RFID, transportation and over all supply chain solutions. She has 9 years experience in Supply Chain software working for CAPS Logistics, Adexa, ForestExpress and now RedPrairie. Hughes is also Vice President of Programs for the Atlanta CLM Round Table.  

George Kudlacik, Assistant Vice President - Corporate Sales, Roadway Express, Inc.

George Kudlacik is Assistant Vice President Corporate Sales and responsible for 3rd Party Business Development with Roadway Express.

In his 30 years with Roadway, he has served in several positions, including Dock Supervisor, Sales Representative, Terminal Sales Manager, National Account Executive and Senior Corporate Account Executive.

Bill Matheson , Vice President & General Manager, Truckload Services, Schneider National, Inc.

Bill Matheson is vice president & general manager, truckload services at Schneider National, Inc., North America's largest truckload carrier and premium transportation and logistics services provider.   In this position, Matheson is responsible for all aspects of operations and capacity within Schneider's truckload divisions. This includes leadership of the recruiting, training and safety functions, as well as the field Operating Centers which support over 15,500 drivers and owner operators in the van (Schneider National Carriers), flatbed/glass (Schneider Specialized Carriers) and bulk (Schneider National Bulk Carriers) business segments.

James McCallie, Senior Vice President - Sales & Marketing, Southeastern Freight Lines, Inc.

With thirty two years in the LTL trucking sector, James McCallie has worked with Southeastern Freight Lines for the past eleven. He is responsible for marketing, sales (field sales, inside sales, national accounts), pricing and traffic.

His professional involment includes Registered Practioner with the Interstate Commerce Commission and Federal Maritime Commission; Board of Directors of American Trucking Association's Sales and Marketing Council; former President for ATA's Logistics Council; and former Board of Trustees Member for Eastern Central Motor Carriers Association.

James D. Staley, President & CEO, Roadway Group of Yellow Roadway Corporation

James Staley previously served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Roadway Corporation and a member of the Board of Directors. Prior to this he served as President and Chief Executive Officer for Roadway Express, Inc. Previously he served as Vice President - Operations for Roadway Express. Before moving to the Company's headquarters in Akron, Ohio, Staley served as Division Vice President of the Northeast Division.

Staley began his career with Roadway Express in June 1971 as a Dock Supervisor Trainee at the Company's terminal in Athens, Georgia.   He served as Terminal Manager of Roadway facilities in Durham, North Carolina; Meridian, Mississippi; and Nashville, Tennessee.   In April 1981, he was promoted to District Manager based in Portland, Oregon. He is Chairman of the Board of the Motor Freight Carriers Association.

J. Dave Thigpen, Manager, LTL & Ground Expedite Procurement, Ryder Transportation Management; Division of Ryder System, Inc.

Dave Thigpen is responsible for LTL, Cartage & Ground Expedite procurement, on behalf of Ryder TM clients within North America with annual expenditures in excess of $300 million. In this role, he reinforces Ryder's leading position in the industry with the direction and management of innovative carrier relationships, partnering and carrier quality programs.

During Thigpen's 35 years of transportation industry experience, he's held a variety of management and executive roles. His background covers multiple modes of transportation, brokerage activities, Third Party Logistics management, sales, and technology initiatives. Coming from a shipper, a carrier and a 3PL background, he brings a well-rounded perspective to his role.