Supply Chain Summit Series

Shippers Panel

Thank You to Our Sponsors

Event Images

The First Event in the Supply Chain Summit Series

A new program from the HRGCC that examines the capacity and capabilities of our region’s global supply chains.
 
Through candid conversations with experts in their respective areas, the series will highlight the strengths, opportunities and gaps in this important industry for Hampton Roads. Each panel will examine the regions supply chain capabilities from the lens of economy, infrastructure and technology. The goal is to the reveal the issues that can have a profound impact on our region’s businesses and competitiveness in the global supply chain market.

Event Details

  • March 19, 2024
  • Strome Entrepreneurial Center
    Old Dominion University
  • Breakfast at 7:30am
  • Panel from 8:00-9:00am

The Panel

Ray Keating

Head International Merchandiser
Perdue AgriBusiness

Ray Keating has worked in grain business since 1982, holding responsibilities in trading, facility management, operations, and logistics.  For the past ten years he has been the Head International Merchandiser for Perdue Agribusiness at their Chesapeake VA export facility and soybean crushing plant. His current responsibilities include grain merchandising and truck/rail/ vessel logistics.

Ray currently serves on the Virginia Soybean Board, Virginia Corn Board, Virginia Small Grains Board, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and the Virginia Agriculture Council.

Michael Ward

Director, Supply Chain
Stihl

Michael Ward has over 30 years of supply chain experience across multiple companies including Xerox, Johnson & Johnson, and Volvo Construction Equipment.

He is currently the Director of Supply Chain at STIHL in Virginia Beach, responsible for the internal and external supply chain networks.
He is a graduate of the Penn State University Supply Chain Program and holds an MBA from Rochester Institute of Technology with a focus in Leadership & Management.

Puneet Jain

Vice President, Global Logistics
Dollar Tree

Puneet Jain is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience, currently serving as the Vice President of Global Logistics at Dollar Tree Stores.

Before joining Dollar Tree, Puneet held progressive roles at Zim Shipping, focusing on managing transpacific trade. His expertise spans across global supply chain, finance, strategy, and successful project implementation. A graduate of Old Dominion University, we are glad to have the panel take place at his alma mater.

Introducing the Moderator

Gregory J. Edwards

Director of Sales - Strategic Export Accounts
The Port of Virginia

Greg Edwards is a native of Virginia and a lifelong resident of #hamptonroads. He joined The Port of Virginia in July 1992, giving him more than 30 years of maritime and supply chain logistics experience.
Since 2021, Greg has served with the port sales team, as Director of Strategic Export Accounts. He is focused primarily on two key verticals, agriculture and forest products as well as chemicals and resins.

Greg has served on the boards of the Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce and “Future of Hampton Roads.” He also served as chair of the Hampton Roads Transportation and Planning Organization’s Citizen Transportation Advisory Committee.

He is a graduate of Old Dominion University in Norfolk, as well as the Virginia State Chamber’s LEAD Virginia program and the regional LEAD 757 initiative.