Smith Logistics Students Present 'Person of the Year' Award at Industry Day

The Smith School's Logistics, Transportation and Supply Chain Management Society (LTSCM Society) and the Supply Chain Club (SCC) named Linda Morgan as their 2003 "Person of the Year." The award was presented by Allison Healy, co-president of LTSCM, at the Sixth Annual Industry Day on October 31, 2003. The first woman to receive the award, Morgan was chairman of the former Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) and its successor, the Surface Transportation Board (STB), from 1995 through 2002.

Morgan said she was honored to receive the award from Smith because of the school's unique focus on transportation and logistics. She said that this is an exciting time to be entering the transportation industry because companies are looking for bright, young, out-of-the-box thinkers, and students here are "ahead of the curve and well-positioned to be leaders."

Morgan encouraged students to spend at least part of their careers in public service, and to seize the moment, take risks, and broaden their horizons. Morgan explained that she entered the transportation industry fresh out of law school because she wanted to work in public policy and, as a woman in a world dominated by men, she focused on the unconventional.

"Out of difficulty always comes opportunity," said Morgan, invoking her favorite words of wisdom.

Morgan said she likes the transportation industry because it is very tangible. "You can see where it begins and ends - delivery of goods, people - it's something you can really see," she said.

Prior to her ICC appointment, Morgan served for 15 years as counsel with the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, including seven years as General Counsel. She was responsible for much of the legislation that established the framework for today's transportation system, including surface transportation policy. Later, as chairman of the ICC and the STB, Morgan presided over a uniquely significant and challenging period in the history of the rail freight industry. Morgan is now a partner at the Covington & Burling law firm and leads its Transportation Practice Group.

"Linda Morgan has played a key role in developing and implementing the transportation policies that drive today's logistics, transportation, and supply chain management industry," said William DeWitt, teaching professor of logistics, transportation, and supply chain management at Smith. "Ms. Morgan stands as a role model for our students, especially the growing number of women who are now pursuing careers in the field. We are pleased to honor her leadership and industry contributions with this award."

Networking opportunities were in abundance at the luncheon and career fair that followed the award presentation. One recruiter said his organization came to Industry Day - its first-ever on-campus recruiting session - because of the school's focus on logistics.

The LTSCM Society provides networking and career development opportunities for Smith School undergraduate students, while the SCC provides networking and placement opportunities for the school's graduate students. Each year, the groups present the Person of the Year Award to an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the logistics, transportation, and supply chain management industry. The award is presented as part of LTSCM Industry Day, which also includes a career fair. More than two-dozen industry recruiters participated in this year's event.

Previous Person of the Year honorees include Michael J. Ward, chairman, president, and CEO of CSX Corp.; Don Schneider, president of Schneider National Inc.; Herb Johnson, past president of the Council of Logistics Management; and Edward Emmett, president of the National Industrial Transportation League.