2018 Transportation, Logistics & Distribution Summit

On Thursday, November 8, 2018, NJMEP and the Transportation, Logistics and Distribution (TLD) Talent Network partnered with the Department of Labor and Workforce Development to host a statewide summit for TLD companies, manufacturers and others involved in the supply chain from across the state of New Jersey. Gathering at Middlesex Community College for a daylong Summit, individuals came together to share, present, and define workforce solutions ensuring sustainable career paths for all levels of talent.

After a greeting by Constantina Meis and Ray Martinelli, TLD Talent Network Program Managers, the opening session featured welcome remarks and presentations by John W. Kennedy, CEO, NJMEP; and Hugh Bailey, Assistant Commissioner, Labor of Workforce Development.

The day continued with a workshop by Harry Kostyk, Regional Human Resources Consultant at CertiPay on how to Attract, Develop, and Retain your Workforce.  The workshop ranged in topic and encouraged group participation, revealing a wealth of real-world experience and examples for how to address workforce and training shortages in TLD.

Industry Partner Awards

Three awards were handed out to companies and partner organizations in recognition and honor for their achievements in the Transportation, Logistics & Distribution Industry:

North Region- Old Dominion Freight Lines

Central Region- Middlesex County College

South Region- “Fare Free Transportation Project” Partners:

• Retail Hospitality Talent Network- South
• Cumberland, Salem & Cape May County Workforce Development Board with the Career One Stops Centers
• Cape May County Freeholders & Fare Free Transportation Dept
• Cape May County Technology School & Cumberland County Technical Education Center

The keynote speaker, Lora Cecere, inspired the room with creative strategies and insights into the TLD Supply Chain.
Lora Cecere is the Founder of Supply Chain Insights, and author of the Enterprise Software blog Supply Chain Shaman; read by over 5000 global supply chain executives. Lora gave detail analysis into present and future challenges of the industry and what the future of Supply Chain looks like in New Jersey; projecting the next 10 plus years.

After lunch, a panel of executives discussed the upcoming industry trends and challenges in areas focusing on robotics & automation, Port Efficieny, Apprenticeships & curriculum and liablity.  Ray Martinelli, TLD Talent Network Program Manager with NJMEP, led the panel discussion with a question-and-answer session.

The group of panelists consisted of:

• Amanda Valdes, Manager for Port Efficiency, Port Authority of NY & NJ
• Eric Probst, Partner, Porzio, Bromberg & Newman, P.C
• Dicxiana Carbonell, Assistant Superintendent, Essex County Schools of Technology
• Patricia Moran, Director of Apprenticeships, NJMEP
• Ron Baptista, VP of Operations, Hy-Tek Material Handling
• Hardik Mehta, Director of Cyber Security, RSM

Thank you to all of our sponsors and participants who joined us for this important Transportation, Logistics and Distribution Summit!