UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Smeal College of Business Center for Supply Chain Research (CSCR) has announced the addition of two new members to its advisory board. Kim Hadlum from Armada Supply Chain Solutions and Chad Whyte from Utz Quality Foods join the seven remaining members from the past year.
“It’s an exciting time for the center as we welcome our new members to the board and build on the momentum of the new year,” said Donna Palumbo, executive director of CSCR. “Kim and Chad bring a tremendous amount of leadership and experience across supply chain sectors and industries. I look forward to working with them on forthcoming initiatives and I know they will be excellent additions to our current board.”
The 2025-26 new board members include:
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Hadlum, senior director of inventory planning at Armada Supply Chain Solutions, has more than 20 years of supply chain leadership in demand planning, supply planning and planning analysis capabilities. She is responsible for managing large teams focused on developing and implementing strategically driven inventory solutions through technology and analytics.
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Whyte, executive vice president, supply chain at Utz Quality Foods, has over 25 years supply chain experience and leadership. He oversees the procurement, supply and demand planning, distribution, transportation and customer logistics functions for Utz.
The 2025 board leadership includes:
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Ron Volans, head of North America delivery at Johnson and Johnson, has been named chairperson for 2025.
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Jessica Gerhard, director, integrated dynamic planning at The Hershey Co., has been named vice chairperson for 2025.
CSCR Advisory Board members work to support the center’s mission in a variety of ways. They help to develop the center's brand and attract corporate supporters, as well as provide input on the center's strategic plan and approve faculty research affiliates and fellowships.
Other returning members include Linda Bixby, executive vice president academic partnerships at the NobleReach Foundation; Drew Ceschini, global supply planning CoE manager at Rockwell Automation; Shea Nesseler, senior director, global logistics center of excellence at Reckitt; Marilia Perez-Santiago, associate director, programs and project management at Verizon; and Ron Walters, director, supply chain technology and systems at Collins Aerospace (an RTX business).