ANNOUNCEMENTS
Courses offered at the National Defense Transportation Association-U.S. Transportation Command Fall Meeting to address various defense logistics topics and trends
BY MICHAEL P. KLEIMAN
U.S. TRANSPORTATION COMMAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Release#: 201904-001, Wednesday, September 4, 2019
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. – Approximately 80 classes, discussing a broad range of defense logistics subjects, will be held at Transportation Academy during the National Defense Transportation Association-U.S. Transportation Command Fall Meeting, Oct. 7 to 10, 2019, Union Station, St. Louis, Missouri.
Courses comprising the event’s Transportation Academy will cover 10 separate topics, including acquisition and finance; combatant commands and security cooperation; commercial logistics; Department of Defense transportation; innovation and analytics; information technology and cyber; leadership and professional development; legislation and policy; interactive workshops and training; as well as Surface Deployment and Distribution Command workshops.
Transportation Academy sessions feature open seating and are offered to attendees on a first-come, first-served basis.
“The benefits of Transportation Academy, now in its fifth year, come from having government, industry, and academia representatives instruct 80 interactive classes in eight separate, 10-session increments, Oct. 7 to 9,” said Irvin Varkonyi, NDTA educational coordinator, Transportation Academy, Washington, D.C. “This year’s variety of classes truly offer something for everybody. For example, the eight innovation and analytics courses will address such subjects as blockchain technology, drones and intermodal transportation, the DHL Innovation Center, as well as the application of enterprise data science.”
In addition, for a $25 fee, Fall Meeting participants will be eligible to earn 2.1 hours of continuing education units from McKendree University, Lebanon, Illinois, for attending Transportation Academy presentations and the general sessions during the event’s initial three days.
Some of the guest instructors and their respective classes include USTRANSCOM Deputy Commander Navy Vice Adm. Dee Mewbourne, Exponential Leadership; David Lange, managing director, FedEx Charter Operations, Civil Reserve Air Fleet Overview; DHL Express Head of International Government Affairs Eugene Laney, FedEx Blockchain Strategist Dale Chrystie, and UPS Supply Chain Solutions Principal Architect Mahesh Sahasranaman, Transportation and Blockchain; Mike Callahan, associate director for current operations, response, and recovery, Department of Transportation, DOT Response and Recovery; as well as McKendree University’s Chief of Staff and Executive Director for McKendree Worldwide Daryl Hancock and Director of Information Technology George Kriss, IT and Cyber.
A list of Transportation Academy courses can also be viewed at https://www.ndtahq.com/events/fall-meeting/agenda/.
Those interested in attending the Fall Meeting can register at https://www.ndtahq.com/events/fall-meeting/ and they also have the option to “register now/pay later!”
Additional details on the seventh annual, co-sponsored event can be found at #FallMeeting2019.
“I’m excited, enthused, and energized by the number and diversity of Transportation Academy classes offered at the upcoming NDTA-USTRANSCOM Fall Meeting. Participants will have a one of a kind experience to hear and learn from current and future defense logistics leaders and innovators,” Varkonyi stated. “Transportation Academy also presents an incredible networking opportunity for attendees to meet other logistics professionals in the public and private sectors. It’s a win-win for all involved.”
USTRANSCOM exists as a warfighting combatant command to project and sustain military power. Powered by dedicated men and women, we underwrite the lethality of the joint force, advance American interests, and provide our nation’s leaders with strategic flexibility to select from multiple options and create multiple dilemmas for adversaries.
Industry’s critical role in force projection and sustainment to be discussed at the NDTA-USTRANSCOM Fall Meeting
BY MICHAEL P. KLEIMAN
U.S. TRANSPORTATION COMMAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Release#: 20190815-001, Thursday, August 15, 2019
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. – Assistant Secretary of Defense for Sustainment, Robert McMahon, will discuss industry’s significance in projecting and sustaining America’s forces during an emergency or a crisis at the National Defense Transportation Association-U.S. Transportation Command Fall Meeting, October 7 to 10, 2019, Union Station, St. Louis, Missouri.
As one of five keynote speakers, McMahon will discuss the private sector’s critical role providing augmented transportation capacity to support Department of Defense requirements.
“Clearly, DOD cannot accomplish its mission without partnering with commercial partners in the world of logistics and sustainment. They are absolutely essential to our success by ground, sea, and air,” stated McMahon. “Our success is reliant on that partnership.”
The collaboration’s foundation rests on the Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement and Civil Reserve Air Fleet programs, which provide commercial ships and aircraft, respectively, to meet mission needs. For example, VISA involves the participation of all major U.S.-flag companies and offers access to more than 90 vessels, contributing over three million square feet of force-projection capacity and 143,000 twenty-foot equivalent units of sustainment capability. On the other hand, CRAF includes 25 safety-certified U.S. air carriers, providing long-range international airlift for approximately 40% of DOD air cargo and more than 90% of passenger transport.
In addition, the Maritime Security Program, managed by the U.S. Maritime Administration, consists of 60 military-useful, internationally-trading, U.S.-flags ships that employ more than 2,500 American-trained and –credentialed mariners. MSP vessels are required to be enrolled in the VISA program.
After completing a 34-year Air Force career, retiring as a major general in 2012, McMahon was the chief executive officer of the 21st Century Partnership, Warner Robins, Georgia, and then served as the Director of Field Operations and Site Lead for the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III Integrated Sustainment Program. He later served as president of Fickling Management Services, Macon, Georgia, from 2015 to 2017, leading a real estate company that maintained properties in eight states.
“I have a much greater appreciation of the private sector than I had when I wore the uniform. They are great Americans, just as dedicated and patriotic as those in uniform,” McMahon said. “The private sector has a different bottom line than the military – organizational performance, whereas DOD is focused on readiness and capability. The private sector, however, understands the importance of performance and they also understand their role in our (DOD’s) success.”
In his current position, McMahon works as the principal staff assistant and advisor to the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, Deputy Secretary of Defense, and Secretary of Defense for sustainment in the DOD. As the principal logistics official within DOD senior management, he also provides oversight of logistics policies, practices, and efficiencies to enable readiness throughout the DOD, as well as manages more than $170 billion in logistics operations.
McMahon also oversees the DOD’s real property portfolio comprised of 28 million acres, over 500 installations, and more than 500,000 buildings and structures valued at $1 trillion.
“NDTA plays a critical role in the military-industrial complex in logistics and sustainment. The Fall Meeting, co-sponsored with USTRANSCOM, presents a tremendous opportunity to talk about current issues, to celebrate our successes, and to also discuss future challenges,” stated McMahon.
Those interested in attending Mr. McMahon’s keynote address and other Fall Meeting activities can register at https://www.ndtahq.com/events/fall-meeting/ and they also have the option to “register now/pay later!”
More information on the seventh annual, co-sponsored event can be found at #FallMeeting2019.
USTRANSCOM exists as a warfighting combatant command to project and sustain military power. Powered by dedicated men and women, we underwrite the lethality of the joint force, advance American interests, and provide our nation’s leaders with strategic flexibility to select from multiple options and create multiple dilemmas for adversaries.
Speaker Line Up is taking Shape: Don’t Miss Mr. Tim Mullaly
The Fall Meeting is looking forward to having keynote speakers from industry and government that encompass the wide spectrum of our industry and will discuss the current trends and trajectory of the nation’s logistics platforms. Register now.
We are excited to have Mr. Tim Mullaly, Director and Chief Economist of the FedEx Corporate Economics Department as one of our keynote speakers.
In this role, he is responsible for forecasting economic indicators relevant to FedEx and the U.S. economy. Tim provides analysis to senior management on conditions in the U.S. economy, transportation industry and energy markets. He also provides feedback on proposed legislation that would impact the transportation industry and the economy. Tim is a member of the Blue Chip survey of Economic Forecasters. He is a graduate of Grand Valley State University and received a master’s degree in Economics from Western Michigan University. Tim earned his Ph.D. in economics from Penn State, where he conducted researched on the North American Free Trade Agreement. Prior to joining FedEx, Tim taught macroeconomics at Wayne State University in Detroit.
To hear more about our Fall Meeting, follow us on LinkedIn @National Defense Transportation Association Headquarters or Twitter (#FallMeeting2019)
Fostering Partnerships to Preserve Peace and Prevail in Conflict…Then, Now, and Tomorrow.
The Fall Meeting provides a unique opportunity for industry and Department of Defense transportation practitioners to meet and discuss the challenges, changes, new technologies, and best practices within their profession. Participants represent a broad spectrum of modes and disciplines, as well as serve in entry-level to senior leader positions. For the first time in decades, dominance in the physical domain is no longer a given. How do transporters stay ahead of the curve to assure access – physical and now cyber – necessary for military force projection?
The NDTA-USTRANSCOM 2019 Fall Meeting, Oct. 7-10, will tackle tough topics in a series of presentations and more than 60 educational course selections.
There’s no better time or place to meet colleagues from every segment of defense transportation, logistics, supply chain management and distribution. Register now. •
Join the conversation on social media: (#FallMeeting2019)
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U.S. Transportation Command and National Defense Transportation Association collaborate to conduct annual, world-class logistics forum Military, government, and industry representatives will meet in St. Louis this October to address the present and future of defense transportation
U.S. TRANSPORTATION COMMAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Release#: 20190523-001
Thursday, May 23, 2019
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. – Occurring October 7 to 10, 2019, at St. Louis Union Station, St. Louis, Missouri, the National Defense Transportation Association – U.S. Transportation Command Fall Meeting, has become the premier forum for U.S. military, government, and industry logisticians to learn about and discuss the challenges, opportunities, innovations, new technologies, and best practices impacting their profession. Fostering Partnerships To Preserve Peace And Prevail In Conflict…Then, Now, And Tomorrow serves as the theme for the seventh-annual, co-sponsored event. As NDTA observes its 75th anniversary in 2019, the Fall Meeting it co-sponsors continues to build on that lasting legacy, serving as the authoritative, premier defense transportation and logistics forum now and in the future.
“Congratulations to NDTA on achieving this incredible milestone. Since its establishment during World War Two, the organization has successfully advocated the critical importance of the industry-government partnership to America’s defense and security,” said Jack Svoboda, USTRANSCOM Fall Meeting Command lead. “And following the formation of USTRANSCOM 32 years ago, NDTA has been a dedicated partner in ensuring and enhancing the readiness of our global combatant command to meet national objectives. For the past seven years, they have also been a committed co-host in conducting a world-class event benefitting the defense transportation community.”
Offering something for everybody, the co-sponsored Fall Meeting 2019 consists of five keynote presentations from U.S. military, government, and industry leaders, as well as three roundtables addressing the private-sector’s significance to the Nation’s defense/security, cyber challenges to the global distribution network, and senior enlisted perspectives, respectively. Featured keynote speakers include USTRANSCOM Commander, U.S. Army General Stephen Lyons; the Honorable Robert McMahon, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Sustainment; American Roll-on Roll-off Carrier President and Chief Executive Officer, Eric Ebeling; the Honorable Elaine Chao, Secretary of Transportation; and FedEx Chief Economist, Tim Mullaly. Add One A Steadfast Partnership In addition, since the partnered event’s initiation in 2013, dozens of educational sessions, conducted by Federal government and private-sector instructors, as well as by academia, have provided a valuable resource for attendees. This year’s Transportation Academy, comprised of approximately 70 interactive classes/workshops, will address current, relevant topics and trends such as commercial logistics supporting the warfighter, legislation and policy, acquisition and finance, as well as information technology and cybersecurity.
U.S. Transportation Command Commander U.S. Army General Stephen Lyons serves as co-host and one of the keynote speakers at the seventh annual National Defense Transportation Association – U.S. Transportation Command Fall Meeting, October 7 to 10, 2019, St. Louis Union Station, St. Louis, Missouri. The event provides a unique forum, where professionals gather to discuss defense logistics and transportation challenges, opportunities, innovations, new technologies, and best practices. Photo by Rob Wieland, USTRANSCOM/PA
“Transportation Academy is “off the charts” as to how much participants find value in the wide variety of classes and workshops offered that are both insightful, as well as practical and job supporting,” Mr. Svoboda stated. “The proof of its success is in the continued attendee growth. For example, last year, the number of participating active-duty, junior- to mid-level enlisted and junior transportation and logistics officers quadrupled.”
In 2018, the Gaylord Convention Center, National Harbor, Oxon Hill, Maryland, hosted the conference, and during the previous two years, St. Louis Union Station served as the event site location. Fall Meeting 2019 seeks to build on the success and the momentum of last year’s gathering, rated “outstanding” by many of the 1,396 total attendees due to the right mix of networking, keynote speakers, and academics. Of the number of 2018 Fall Meeting participants, approximately 764 (55 percent) represented the DoD and U.S. government, and 632 (45 percent) served in the transportation industry. In addition, attendance at the sixth Fall Meeting increased by 13 percent from the 2017 event.
“We constantly challenge ourselves to ensure we are providing a richly rewarding experience for all participants. Surveys confirm the Fall Meeting General Sessions provide great insights from a wonderful mix of leaders from DoD, U.S. government, industry, and academia who highly encourage interactive dialogue from the attendees,” said Mr. Svoboda.
Individuals interested in attending the NDTA-USTRANSCOM Fall Meeting 2019 can register at https://www.ndtahq.com/events/fall-meeting/ and also have the option to “register now/pay later!” USTRANSCOM conducts globally-integrated mobility operations, leads the broader Joint Deployment and Distribution Enterprise, and provides enabling capabilities in order to project and sustain the Joint Force in support of national objectives.
