Internationally recognized logistics expert Thomas Speh has been named the 2007 recipient of the Distinguished Service Award by the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. Speh, James Evans Rees Distinguished Professor of Distribution at the Farmer School of Business at Miami University, received the award at the CSCMP national conference in Philadelphia October 22.
For over 40 years, the Distinguished Service Award—the CSCMP’s highest honor—has been given annually to an individual who has made significant, career-long contributions to the supply chain management and logistics professions.
“Throughout his academic career Tom has been on the forefront of research and teaching in the fields of warehousing, logistics, and supply chain management,” said Roger Jenkins, Dean of the Farmer School of Business. “His work has had a tremendous impact on the industry and represents the very best of what makes Miami University the great institution it is.
“Tom remains an impressive role model in this profession, largely because he does everything at the highest level of excellence and yet retains a level of humility and caring that is truly inspirational.”
Farmer School marketing colleague Dr. Linda Coley was at the conference, and described attendees' enthusiasm as the award was presented.
"The introduction recognized Tom for a sustained and distinguished record of contribution to the discipline of supply chain management, and contribution above the normal expectations of the job -- both professionally as a scholar and as a volunteer for CSCMP," Coley said. "It also praised him as a world leader in supply chain management and an innovator in the field, and noted his strong commitment to high quality education at Miami, and his support of Ph.D. students in the profession."
“Perhaps no other academician has contributed as much to what is now CSCMP for as long a period of time as Tom,” said Elijah Ray of UTi Integrated Logistics, in nominating Speh for the award. “He has a long history of serving the profession through his efforts at CSCMP, WERC (Warehousing Education and Research Council), Miami University, and as an industry professional.”
Throughout his academic career, Speh has been on the forefront of research in the fields of warehousing, logistics, and supply chain management. His leadership of both CSCMP and WERC spurred practical research and led to the globalization of CSCMP’s activities. Speh’s colleagues cite the innovative spirit he has brought to the science and practice of warehousing and logistics. He is the only American on the Advisory & Communications Board for the European Union’s “BestLog” project, creating best practices for logistics. He also serves on McDonald’s Supply Chain Academic Advisory Board.
Speh spends the last session of each course he teaches discussing life lessons with his students. “It’s about life: how you live it, how you behave,” he explained. “College is more than just cramming knowledge into students; we need to share wisdom.”
“We all know about the awards that have been bestowed upon Dr. Speh, the books he helped write, and the prestigious positions he holds with industry organizations,” said former student Jeff Bornino. “But to me, Dr. Speh is the man who happily sat down with me weekly to help me understand the most basic of supply chain principles. He is the man who worked tirelessly to help me find a job that best suited my skills and interests. His classes were energetic, thought-provoking, and dynamic.”
Speh earned a B.S. and an M.B.A. from Miami University, as well as a Ph.D. from Michigan State University. He taught at the University of Alabama and has been on the faculty at Miami University since 1976, becoming a full professor in 1983. Within the Farmer School he has served as an associate dean and as a department chair, and helped lead efforts to create a supply chain major and minor.
