March 2024 The Beacon Newsletter 
The Beacon Newsletter
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ASCM Fox Valley Forum March PDM - virtual
March 19, 2024
6:00 PM - 7:15 PM--Register by March 17th
Presentation Topic:
The Private Fleet Advantage
Presentation Summary
How Brakebush leverages it private fleet to save costs and improve service.
Meet our Speaker:
Michael R Schwersenska, CTP
Mike is the General Manager of Brakebush Transportation, Inc. (BTI). He oversees all outbound finished goods and inbound raw materials. Mike's responsibilities include developing and managing Brakebush's overall logistics strategy for safety, maximized efficiency, revenue, and cost reduction opportunities. In addition, he is involved in creating a long-term transportation strategy that will ensure cost improvements and a positive customer experience.
Mike joined Brakebush in 1999 and has nearly 30 years of transportation and logistics experience in private fleet and for-hire operations. Under Mike's leadership, BTI has received numerous awards for fleet safety, network design, logistics operations, and fuel savings initiatives at the state and national levels.
Mike is active in the National Private Truck Council (NPTC) and has just finished his six-year term on the Board of Directors. Two of which those years as Chairman, he led the organization through the challenges of COVID. Mike now serves as Chairman of the NPTC Board of Governors and is the first in the organizations history to serve as Chair of both boards. Mike also sits on the Wisconsin Motor Carrier Board of Directors.
In 2010, he earned a Certificate of Transportation and Logistics Management from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Business and finished his bachelor's in business administration in 2015. Mike earned his CTP from the NPTC in 2013 and was named Private Fleet Executive of the Year in 2018.
Let's connect!!
President's Report
Hello fellow ASCM Fox Valley Forum members!
As I type this letter, I am anxiously awaiting our February event at 5K Fibres. I had a sneak preview this past week when I visited to lock down the final details of the tour. I was really impressed by the facility and the things the folks there are working on. I can’t wait for our members to see it!
Our March event is going to be fully virtual! Mike Schwersenska, CTP will be joining us that evening. Mike is the General Manager of Brakebush Transportation, Inc. and oversees all outbound finished goods and inbound raw materials. Brakebush, for any who don’t know, has been a U.S. family owned and operated processor of chicken products since 1925. Perhaps your Super Bowl wings came from Brakebush!
Mike is active in the National Private Truck Council (NPTC) and earned his CTP (Certified Transportation Professional) from that organization in 2013. Mike is going to share with us how Brakebush leverages its private fleet to save costs and improve service. Mighty important when dealing with perishable products.
Click here to register! Please be sure to register by the midnight Sunday, March 17th deadline!
IMPORTANT!!
Our nomination committee is hard at work. This committee is crucial to our Forum. Their
role is to connect with members of the Forum to identify folks interested in serving as
volunteer leaders of the Forum. Serving as a volunteer leader is a great way to get involved in the future of this organization. I hope you will consider nominating yourself or accepting a nomination made by another member. If you have any questions at all, please feel free to reach out. I am happy to answer any questions.
ELECTION TIME IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER! No, not that election……..FORUM ELECTIONS! I promise you won’t see any political ads on TV but the elections are still very important. Elections will open on Friday, March 29th for a period of 10 days. More information on this year’s election will be coming in future issues of The Beacon.
See you online on March 19th!
Jody
Jody Suess, CPIM, CIRM, CSCP
President 2023-2024
ASCM Fox Valley Forum
Notice of Meeting for Members
Legal name of corporation: AMERICAN PRODUCTION & INVENTORY CONTROL SOCIETY,
FOX VALLEY CHAPTER, INC.
Note: This organization does business under the name ASCM Fox Valley Forum.
Notice For Meeting Of Members
Of American Production & Inventory Control Society,
Fox Valley Chapter, Inc.
A meeting of the Members of American Production & Inventory Control Society, Fox Valley Chapter, Inc. will be held on April 24, 2024. Location information will be coming soon.
The purpose of the meeting shall be to announce the results of the election of officers for the 2024 – 2025 program year along with the results of votes related to the approval of any changes made to chapter by-laws and articles of incorporation.
Elections for the 2024 – 2025 program year will be conducted through a third party online survey tool. Voting will open on Friday, March 29th and will close on Sunday, April 7th.
If you have any questions, please contact me at (920) 420-1331.
Dated: February 18, 2024
Jody Suess, CPIM, CIRM, CSCP
President, ASCM Fox Valley Forum
Calendar of Events
We are focused on ASCM member engagement, supporting our members and stakeholders (a community of supply chain and operations management professionals and businesses) in professional development, through our events, sharing of best practices, networking, and educational opportunities offered by our educational partners.
We look forward to seeing you at our next meeting!
Please note that all events are dependent on current COVID-19 restrictions
Please also visit the Calendar of Events to sign up & for more information!
Have a suggestion for a speaker, tour, or topic? Email your suggestion to [email protected].
NOTICE
In late October of 2021, you should have received an e-mail from ASCM regarding membership costs and options. ASCM rolled out a new, streamlined membership model in February 2022. The goal is to suit member needs at every stage of a person’s career. The new dues start at $99 annually or $10 monthly, with the ability to add certification discounts (+$100) and Fox Valley Forum membership $50. New benefits include:
- A Certification Maintenance Center that automatically tracks the maintenance points you earn through ASCM activities.
- Short, specialized microlearnings cover relevant topics to make staying knowledgeable a breeze. Plus, they are eligible for certification maintenance points.
- Access to one free Principles On Demand module annually.
- Easier membership management (updating payment options, chapter/forum membership and more) within My Account
Read more about the changes here.
Having access to a community is essential for professional development. Your membership with ASCM and the Fox Valley Forum will benefit you for years to come. I have heard members comment, and I can attest to this personally, that the professional colleagues they met 10 and 20 years ago - when they first joined - are still friends today thanks to the local support and engagement opportunities they receive.
The last couple years have been challenging – both personally and professionally – and the challenges continue. The ASCM Fox Valley Forum is here to help you rise to meet those challenges. We encourage you to rely on and engage as an active member of the Fox Valley Forum community. The Forum leaders and Forum members are compassionate and experienced supply chain professionals who have demonstrated time and time again a willingness to support one another and advance supply chain. The pandemic has demonstrated the importance of a well-managed supply chain and the need for talented supply chain professionals. We are proud of our profession and the role we play. We look forward to your continued support and engagement.
When it’s time to renew, you will receive an email detailing the steps you need to take. Please be sure to ACTIVELY select the ASCM Fox Valley Forum as your Local Membership Partner so you can remain part of this great community.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Jody Suess, CPIM, CIRM, CSCP
President 2022-2023
ASCM Fox Valley Forum
Certification Discount Code
Are you starting a certification in the near future?
Are you interested in a discount on your certification?
Use the following link to gain an ASCM provided discount on APICS Certification products purchased through the ASCM online store: ASCMPARTNERSPROMO
CPIM UPDATES
Why Seek the CPIM Designation?
The pandemic caused a major shift in consumer demand and put a spotlight on supply chain vulnerabilities. Planning is now more important than ever, and the new Certified in Planning and Inventory Management (CPIM) reflects that.
With a CPIM certification, you will develop the competencies they need to successfully work across all functions of the supply chain. In addition, you'll have the knowledge to better respond to supply disruptions, demand variations, and manage supply chain risk.
Commit yourself to a higher level of education, boost your career prospects and help any organization stay competitive in today’s economy. Interested in seeing if the CPIM is a good fit for you? Test-drive the content, free for 30 days.
CSCP UPDATES
Why Seek the CSCP Designation?
To say that recent disruptions have a significant impact on global supply chains is putting it lightly. COVID-19, natural disasters, cybersecurity breaches, trade disputes and more are taking their toll ― which is why the 2022 Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) program has a greater emphasis on demand management, supply chain risk and modern supply chain technology trends.
Is the CSCP designation a good fit for you? Test-drive the content, free for 30 days.
CLTD UPDATES
Why Seek the CLTD Designation?
By earning the CLTD designation, you join a network of professionals in logistics, transportation and distribution who are dedicated to reducing their industry’s impact while providing new, innovative solutions.
With a CLTD designation, you’ll advance your ability to lead in this sector through best practices and the most up-to-date strategies and trends. Interested in seeing if the CLTD is a good fit for you? Test-drive the content, free for 30 days.
SCOR-P
Why SCOR-P?
By establishing a global standard of excellence for your organization through SCOR metrics, you can measure, manage and improve your global supply chain’s performance.
Accelerate your team’s supply chain transformation with help from our team of dedicated SCOR-P experts. Through the SCOR-P program your organization will:
- Establish benchmarks for evaluating supply chain effectiveness
- Provide real-world techniques for tackling strategic supply chain issues
- Provide a practical method for evaluating and managing a global supply chain
- Dramatically increase supply chain performance
Volunteers Needed
The ASCM Fox Valley Forum is always looking for colleagues interested in volunteering for the Board of Directors or on a committee.
Volunteers must be members of the Forum but do not need to be certified to be eligible to serve.
Board meetings are held monthly on the first Wednesday or Thursday of the month beginning at 5:45 pm. We have multiple opportunities with varying amounts of time commitment.
We would be happy to have some new hands on deck!
If you are interested, please reach out to any of the board members. You can find their information here: https://foxvalleywi.ascm.org/Board_of_Directors
Message from the Board
There may come a time when unforeseen events force us to cancel an event.
Please read the following for details of our cancellation policy:
ASCM Fox Valley Forum Cancellation Policy
Procedure for Notification
If the ASCM Fox Valley Forum decides to cancel an event, notification will proceed as follows:
- Decision and notification will occur a minimum of 4 hours prior to the start of the event.
- VP Communication will send email notification of cancellation to all members registered to attend the event.
- VP Communication will post notification of cancellation on the home page of the chapter’s website at ASCM Fox Valley Forum - Home Page
Refund Policy
Every attempt will be made to reschedule an event that has been cancelled. When this happens, all monies paid will go toward attendance on the rescheduled date.
If the ASCM Fox Valley Forum is unable to reschedule the event, refunds will be given in full.