UNF Logistics Students Win National Supply Chain Competition

Joanna Norris, Assistant Director

Department of Media Relations and Events

(904) 620-2102

Four University of North Florida students representing the University’s Transportation and Logistics Flagship Program recently defeated 14 universities across the country to win the 2010 Operation Stimulus Case Competition.

Southside residents Matthew “Toby” Robin, a senior, and Tracie Brinkley, a junior, along with senior Claudia Gorham, a St. Augustine resident, and junior Austin Yee, a resident of Jacksonville Beach, comprised the winning team that participated in the Operation Stimulus Case Competition.

The competition was a part of the 28^th Annual Denver Transportation Forum last month involving 15 universities from across the United States and Canada. This was the first time UNF competed in the event.

“The UNF team’s achievement at this competition reflects the increasing growth and stature of the Transportation and Logistics Program and demonstrates its visibility on a national level,” said Dr. Yem Bolumole, UNF associate professor of logistics, and Dr. Robert Frankel, chair and Richard deRaismes Kip Professor of Marketing and Logistics at UNF. “The achievement similarly validates the intent of UNF’s flagship programs.”

The case confronted by the UNF team involved a global shampoo manufacturer with global manufacturing and distribution centers. In the U.S., the manufacturer had a New York City manufacturing facility and a San Diego distributor. Western U.S. growth was in double digits. The students were challenged to meet this demand from a global sourcing perspective and their team proposed the winning strategy.

Other universities that participated in the competition included: University of Arkansas, Georgia Southern University, Central Washington University, Michigan State University, Ohio State, Syracuse University, University of Manitoba, University of North Iowa, Colorado State University, Miami of Ohio University, University of Houston, Missouri State University, Dalhousie University and the University of West Florida.

UNF’s Transportation and Logistics Flagship Program offers a unique and rewarding program for students electing to major in transportation and logistics. The program prepares students for challenging careers in supply chain management, international logistics, transportation and physical distribution.

The program has received state, national and international recognition, including being ranked 13^th in the nation by Supply Chain Management Review magazine as well as a “Program of Distinction” and a “Center of Excellence” within the state university system.

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