Johnnie Dobbs is the executive vice president of logistics for Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. He has operating responsibility for all general merchandise, fashion, grocery, SAM'S CLUB, import, and specialty distribution centers. He also has operating responsibility for all domestic transportation functions. He was promoted to executive vice president in 2006.

Johnnie’s previous role was as divisional senior vice president of logistics, where he was responsible for all general merchandise and grocery distribution centers in the eastern United States, as well as all specialty distribution operations, including return centers, printing and mailing distribution, Walmart.com distribution and direct imports.

Since joining Wal-Mart in 1990, Johnnie has served as general manager, regional manager, director of distribution and logistics for SAM’S CLUB, vice president of membership and sales for SAM’S CLUB, vice president of specialty distribution and transportation for Wal-Mart, and divisional vice president of logistics.   

Prior to joining Wal-Mart, Johnnie served as distribution center general manager with Service Merchandise.  He also served in various civilian logistic related positions for the United States Army beginning in 1978.  

He received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from East Texas State University in Texarkana, Texas.

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Dr. J. Rod Franklin, Vice President, Product Development for Kuehne + Nagel Management AG (KN), is responsible for KN’s development of complex supply chain solutions.  In this role at KN Dr. Franklin has led KN’s development efforts in the areas of green logistics as well as innovation activities in lean logistics services, reverse logistics, RFID and lead logistics services.   Dr. Franklin has extensive experience in the areas of corporate strategy, operations management, supply chain management, information technology and consulting.  Besides his current work with Kuehne + Nagel, Dr. Franklin has held management positions at Viacore, ENTEX Information Services, Digital Equipment Corporation, Arthur Young & Company, Booz Allen & Hamilton, Theodore Barry & Associates, Cameron Iron Works and General Motors Corporation. 

Dr. Franklin holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University, a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University, a Masters in Business Administration from Harvard University and a Doctorate in Management from Case Western Reserve University.  Dr. Franklin is a registered professional engineer, a member of the IIE, INFORMS, the CSCMP, ISES, the Academy of Management and a frequent speaker on supply chain, sustainability, product and corporate development issues.

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Janet F. Kavinoky is the Director of Transportation Infrastructure in the Congressional and Public Affairs division of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.  She is the Chamber’s senior lobbyist and policy director on all transportation issues and leads the Chamber’s “Let’s Rebuild America” initiative advocating the need to modernize and expand our nation’s transportation, energy, and telecommunications infrastructure.  In this role, Janet oversees the development of the initiative’s goals and strategies and is frequently a featured speaker at infrastructure events all around the country, drawing needed attention to our nation’s infrastructure challenges.  Janet is also the Executive Director of the Americans for Transportation Mobility (ATM) coalition, a national business-labor-construction industry coalition seeking maximum Federal investment in transportation systems.
   
Prior to joining the Chamber, Janet worked at the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO) specializing in infrastructure funding and financing, and she spent four years at the U.S. Department of Transportation rising to the position of Special Assistant to the Secretary. 

Janet has a bachelor’s degree in political economy from the University of Wyoming, and an MBA from Stanford University Graduate School of Business. 

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Wes Kemp joined ABF Freight System, Inc as a management trainee in 1969 upon graduation from the Walton College and has held a variety of positions during his 40-year career.  Prior to being named President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) in August of 2008, he was Senior Vice President of Operations.  He's been a company officer since 1981 having served as Vice President of Terminal Operations and Regional Vice President of Operations based in Bristol, Connecticut.  Kemp is responsible for the design, development, operation, promotion, and continuous improvement in the services ABF offers the marketplace.

Kemp is also involved in community affairs having served on the boards of numerous non-profit organizations and was the 2005 recipient of the SCMRC Outstanding Service Award.  He and his wife founded the "Wes and Sharon Kemp Doctoral Fellowship" at the University of Arkansas during the Campaign for the 21st Century. 

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Gary Whicker, Senior Vice President of Engineering Services for J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc., leads Hunt’s Delta Center. The Delta Center creates innovative, integrated customer solutions involving all of J.B. Hunt’s service offerings, while working to improve and streamline internal company processes. Whicker is a graduate of Iowa State University with a degree in industrial engineering and holds an MBA from the University of Minnesota. He has spent most of his career in the transportation and logistics field. Prior to joining J.B. Hunt, he worked for Target Corporation and Northwest Airlines.