The Smeal College of Business Center for Supply Chain Research (CSCR) has announced the recent addition of the four newest members to its advisory board. Marilia Perez-Santiago from Verizon, Shea Nesseler from Reckitt, Ron Walters from Collins Aerospace (an RTX business), and Andrew Ceschini from Rockwell Automation join the four remaining and re-appointed members from 2023.
“Every year, the arrival of new board members is not just the addition of a new name but the infusion of fresh perspectives, expertise and energy. The advisory board helps us to navigate the exciting journey ahead, combining our strengths to propel our center toward new heights of success,” said Steve Tracey, executive director of CSCR.
“Their commitment to excellence is a valued asset, and we look forward to achieving great milestones together. Here’s to collaboration, innovation, and a future filled with shared accomplishments.”
The 2024-25 board members include:
- Ceschini, global services and solutions material manager for Rockwell Automation, has more than 15 years of supply chain experience and leadership. He drives service and inventory performance across more than eight sites globally, through master scheduling to plan, source, make and deliver.
- Nesseler, senior director of the Global Logistics Center of Excellence at Reckitt, brings more than 20 years of international supply chain experience leading FMCG, health and beauty logistics, manufacturing and supply chain design. He is responsible for building global capability and strategy across the three Reckitt business units in more than 200 countries to deliver best-in-class service and cost to their customers and consumers.
- Perez-Santiago, associate director of programs and project management for Verizon’s global supply chain, has more than 12 years experience in supply chain and industrial engineering. She champions strategic initiatives within Verizon’s monetization team to create value and plan for future growth.
- Walters, director of supply chain technology and systems at Collins Aerospace, has more than 25 years of Fortune 500 industry experience as an operations and supply chain senior leader. He has held leadership roles in manufacturing, supply chain, strategic sourcing and IT business transformation within notable companies including General Electric, Black & Decker, Ingersoll Rand and Trane Technologies.
CSCR Advisory Board members are committed to two years of service, during which they work to support the center’s mission in a variety of ways. They help to develop the center’s brand and attract sponsors, as well as provide input on the center’s strategic plan and approve faculty research affiliates and fellowships.
Returning members include Shannon Beecher, vice president for services supply chain for IBM; Ron Volans, head of North America Janssen Deliver at Johnson and Johnson; Jessica Gerhard, director, demand planning and customer supply chain at The Hershey Co.; and Linda Bixby, executive vice president academic partnerships at the NobleReach Foundation, who was re-appointed for a second term on the board.
Beecher has been named the 2024 board chairperson and the vice chairperson will be selected at the board’s first meeting of the year.