John E. (Gene) Tyworth

Dr. Tyworth received his M.B.A. and Ph.D. degrees from the Lundquist College, University of Oregon. He also holds a B.A. in economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Since joining The Smeal College in 1976, he has taught graduate and undergraduate courses in logistics systems management, logistics analysis, and corporate transportation management. Dr. Tyworth is also active in executive management education.

Dr. Tyworth's work experience includes logistics management and air cargo operations. He was an active duty officer in the Air Force from 1967-71, when he performed transportation/logistics duties under the Strategic Air Command and the 14th Air Force (RVN). In addition, he continued his service from 1976-1994 as reserve officer in the acquisition/procurement area for HQ Air Force and later for DLA. He also has consulting experience with major companies in the railroad, trucking, air cargo, food products, forest products, wire and cable, offshore rig/platform supply, and information technology industries.

Dr. Tyworth was named head of the Department of Business Logistics in 1998 and the Supply Chain and Information Systems Department in 2003. He is also the Director of Research for the Center for Supply Chain Research in the Smeal College. His research interests are in supply chain system design and analysis. His most recent research has focused on evaluating total distribution costs in global supply chains, the design and application of mode-choice models, and the pooling of lead-time risk. Dr. Tyworth has been a principal investigator in major studies funded by both federal and state departments of transportation.

Dr. Tyworth’s publications regularly appear in peer-reviewed outlets. Additionally, he has frequently presented papers at leading national and international conferences on supply chain management. He has received best paper awards from the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals Educator's Group and the Decision Science

The skills I often see lacking in the EMS industry today

Cross-functional (end-to-end supply chain process) perspectives that enable leaders to eliminate counterproductive silo performance metrics and to achieve key corporate objectives.

Risk management skills

What I think about low-cost manufacturing

Sometimes companies overlook the total landed costs when considering low-cost manufacturing locations. Trade compliance costs, along with transportation and inventory, can dilute or offset manufacturing savings in global supply chains. Catastrophic risk management and cash-to-cash cycles also play important roles.

A book I recommend to others or am currently reading

"The new Science of Retailing: How Analytics are Transforming the Supply Chain and Improving Performance," by Marshall Fisher and Ananth Raman, Harvard Business Press, 2010.

Someone I would most like to sit next to at a dinner party

Joseph Wambaugh--would enjoy hearing more about the Choirboys.

Some of the countries I have visited for work or play

China (Hong Kong), Singapore, Ireland, France, Germany, Australia, Canada, Mexico.

A favorite electronics gadget

My car and the navigation system with the omnipresent lady geographer with a great voice.