President's Messages

JULY 2025 - MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Hello, Members!

It was wonderful to see more than 100 of you at Top Management Night. Dr. Jeff Frey delivered a compelling presentation on the accelerating impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on global supply chains, especially in the face of labor shortages, inflation, geopolitical instability, and ESG pressures. He demystified AI by clarifying what it is—and what it isn’t—and shared how leading companies are leveraging AI to optimize logistics, demand planning, and inventory management. While powerful, AI is not a replacement for human judgment. Dr. Frey emphasized that effective adoption requires strategic alignment, cross-functional collaboration, and emotional intelligence. His key takeaway: as systems get smarter and faster, human leadership becomes more essential. He left us with 15 ways to be “more human”. I personally started with “Reconnect with someone you haven’t talked to in a while,” and it’s been incredibly refreshing.

You can find his presentation in the Members section of our chapter website. I encourage you to check it out and reflect on how you can show up more human in your professional life. 

You can view the professional photos that captured our grand evening here.  

Secondly, as we begin the 2025–2026 fiscal year, I’m excited to welcome our new ASCM Houston board, which officially takes office on July 1st. We’ll meet soon to finalize our annual plan, but we already have several exciting events lined up:

• July: Info sessions on our upcoming certification classes
• August 21: A spotlight event with the Port of Houston becoming the port of the future
• February: A deep dive into Humanitarian Supply Chains
• Plus, many more engaging speakers and networking opportunities throughout the year!

Our board is 100% volunteer-led, and I’m proud to introduce this incredible team.   Check them out on LinkedIn:

·       Tammy Giesler-Hagans, President, [email protected]

·       Rod Neal, Secretary, [email protected]

·       Bridget Bowden, Treasurer, [email protected]

·       Elizabeth Hair-Estrella, VP of Education, [email protected]

·       Lena Stoots, VP of Marketing, [email protected]

·       Dolores Pena, VP of Membership, [email protected]

·       Johanna Peralez, VP of Programs & Events, [email protected]

·       Derek Aranda, VP of Student Activities, [email protected]

·       Sang Hyun Park, VP of Technology, [email protected]

You can contact individual board members directly or email the full board at:  [email protected] 

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Board Spotlight: In each message, I’ll introduce you to a board member. This month, meet Lena Stoots, our VP of Marketing. Lena has volunteered with the chapter for many years and served on the board for the past four. A Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), Lena brings over 15 years of experience in operations, business development, and leadership coaching. Passionate about connecting people and businesses, she helps organizations streamline processes, strengthen vendor relationships, and drive impactful outcomes. As a facilitator, temperament counselor, and fellow nonprofit board member, Lena is dedicated to helping leaders grow stronger, adapt faster, and communicate more effectively. She’s also our go-to expert for navigating marketing trends and boosting our chapter’s visibility and engagement.  Asked why she volunteers, Lena said  “In this role, I have the opportunity to use my skills to help the organization reach a wider audience and enhance its presence in the industry and I constantly interact with members, industry experts, and event attendees, which helps me build and maintain valuable relationships. These interactions not only keep me updated on industry trends but also offer fresh perspectives and ideas that are crucial for both personal and professional development.”

I can’t wait to introduce you to all my fellow board members!

Wishing you a fun-filled and safe summer!

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 Warm regards,
Tammy Giesler-Hagans
President, ASCM Houston Chapter