By Eva Richardson | March 25, 2025 | The Logistic News
Chicago has long been recognized as a logistics powerhouse, strategically positioned at the crossroads of North American freight networks. Today, its reputation is reinforced by a new generation of visionary supply chain leaders driving innovation, resilience, and operational excellence across multiple sectors.
In a recent industry analysis, Supply Chain Digital recognized 10 influential leaders based in the Chicago area who are not only managing complex global operations, but also redefining what effective supply chain leadership looks like in an era marked by disruption, digitization, and shifting global dynamics.
These executives represent a diverse set of industries—from retail and food distribution to manufacturing and technology—but they share a common thread: a bold commitment to transforming supply chain strategy into a competitive advantage.
1. Chad Werkema – Chief Supply Chain Officer
A known catalyst for efficiency and digital integration, Werkema has championed lean logistics strategies and is praised for advancing automation across warehouse and transport operations. His work is credited with reducing bottlenecks and improving scalability for a major Midwest-based retailer.
2. Jack Detzel – VP, Global Supply Chain
Detzel leads cross-border initiatives for a leading industrial conglomerate. With a strong background in ERP integration and risk mitigation, he has built a reputation for delivering agility during trade shifts and material shortages, particularly during post-pandemic global volatility.
3. Cesar Pina – Director of Operations
Focused on urban logistics and last-mile delivery, Pina has driven real-time route optimization initiatives that cut delivery times and carbon emissions. His teams have embraced AI-driven scheduling tools that are being replicated by competitors nationwide.
4. Ken Stacherski – SVP, Supply Chain Transformation
Stacherski is known for spearheading digital twin implementation in distribution networks. His strategic oversight has led to double-digit cost savings and elevated service levels for clients in the consumer goods space.
5. Tamara Froese – Head of Logistics and Compliance
Froese has played a pivotal role in regulatory alignment and customs modernization. Her leadership helped a Fortune 500 company streamline cross-border flows between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico while ensuring full compliance with evolving trade policies.
6. Rick Camacho – VP, Distribution & Network Strategy
Camacho is leading efforts to redesign legacy distribution models using a hub-and-spoke structure. His supply chain footprint rationalization has reduced delivery lead times by 20% and bolstered customer satisfaction in B2B sectors.
7. Tasha Reynolds – Director of Procurement & Strategic Sourcing
Reynolds is known for her supplier diversification programs, especially her focus on building relationships with minority- and women-owned businesses. She also led one of the region’s earliest moves into sustainable sourcing.
8. Carlos Mendoza – VP of Supply Chain Systems
With a background in systems engineering, Mendoza has been instrumental in developing proprietary control tower platforms. His initiatives have given companies greater end-to-end visibility and enhanced inventory balancing capabilities.
9. Allison McRae – Director of Cold Chain Logistics
McRae oversees end-to-end logistics for temperature-sensitive goods, particularly within pharma and fresh produce. Her expertise has ensured uninterrupted product integrity during surging demand and tight regulatory scrutiny.
10. Eric Langston – Chief Operations Officer
Langston’s leadership spans warehousing automation and robotics integration. He’s known for building “dark warehouses” using autonomous mobile robots and has helped scale ecommerce operations for clients across the U.S.
Why Chicago Continues to Lead
Chicago’s central location, access to rail hubs, intermodal terminals, O’Hare International Airport, and Lake Michigan ports makes it a natural logistics epicenter. But geography alone doesn’t make it successful—it’s the people leading the strategy behind the scenes who elevate the region to national prominence.
These ten leaders not only exemplify supply chain excellence—they shape the future of logistics across the U.S. and beyond.
