Home: Winston-Salem, NC. Birthplace: Houston, TX. Profession: Supply chain manufacturing and engineering. Organization: Tompkins Ventures. Title: Business Partner. Alma mater: Texas A&M University; University of Houston. Languages spoken: English, Spanish.
Current project: Working to help companies reshore to the United States through the business venture partnership; supporting a new model of supply chain manufacturing and engineering training. Recent recognition: National Academies of Science and Engineering DoD Committee member; Development of National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2024. A Plan to Promote Defense Research at Minority-Serving Institutions. Recent professional development: Manifest 2025 (The Future of Supply Chain & Logistics) February 2025. Latest accomplishment: Publication of my book “Reshore” on January 20, 2025. Latest contribution to others: Volunteered at the Sci-Tech Week Workshop (March 19, 2025) - Supported the local American Society of Quality (ASQ) chapter introducing non-engineering college students to effective quality control measurements and manufacturing tools. Recent travel or adventure: Nepal. Last book read: I read at least one book per week. Most recently, Jesus, CEO (25th Anniversary Edition), by Laurie Beth Jones.
Personality profile: Open, quick-thinking, and decisive. Moral compass: The Bible. How do you define an ideal business relationship? Win-Win. What is your greatest joy? Family. What is your guilty pleasure? Oreos. What occupation, other than your own, do you most admire? Neuroscientists. What is your favorite place (or way) to spend money? Reading in a bookstore. What is at the top of your bucket list? Support economic development to better the world for future generations; live out God’s purpose for my life. What is your go-to workout? Walking. What ingredient is essential to your perfect vacation? My wife.
What was your first paying job? Jack in the Box. What was your favorite college course? Physics I. What book have you repeatedly read? Good to Great, by Jim Collins. What movie have you repeatedly watched? Star Trek: The Motion Picture. What’s prominently featured on your home or office wall? Family photos. What’s the best advice you received in your career? Learn from people who’ve done it before. What modern technology innovation do you most appreciate? Radio-frequency Identification (RFID) Embedded Chips. What is your go-to source of news and information? Axios, Bloomberg and the Financial Times; IIE Engineering Economist, AAAS. What is your go-to source of creative inspiration? IIE Transactions, The Engineering Economist, science fiction books, comic books and movies. What company or organization do you most admire? UPS, Amazon, BMW Toyota and the Deming Model.
What is your big idea?
Inventory is autonomous. In the future we’re going to optimize.
What change are you working on to effect in your profession or field? Transitioning RFID to digital product passports (DPPs) and taking the technology that I am known for as it expands to payless stores where people just walk into a store and walk out without paying. What change would you like to see in the world? We do need to reoptimize supply chains. Sustainability is not a popular word right now, but we do need to reshore in a manner that is safe. What mega-trend most excites you? Integrating AI into RFID and Blockchain and Quantum Computing. What mega-trend most concerns you? Agentic AI in which bots communicate directly without human concern or discernment. Many AI bots don’t take into account machine learning and data analytics to get the best answer they just use first answer and LLM.
What title would you choose for the movie about your life? Humbly to Serve. What actor would you choose to play you in the movie about your life? Will Smith. Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? King Solomon. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? An engineer. How would you choose to spend tomorrow, if you knew it was your last day on earth? With my wife and children. What advice would you give your younger self? Have more Faith, trust God more, always try to get 1% better. What day in your life would you choose to re-live? The day my twins were born.
Personal mission: “In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:6). Personal motto: “Whether you stay six weeks, six months or six years, always leave it better than you found it” (Jim Rohn). Favorite quote: “You must be the change you want to see in the world” (attributed to Arleen Lorrance and Ghandi).
