Category: Podcast

OM Podcast #49: An Interview with the CEO of the Florida Semiconductor Engine About Reshoring

In this episode of the Heizer Render Munson OM Podcast, Barry Render talks with Dr. Ron Piccolo, CEO of the Florida Semiconductor Engine, about why semiconductors have become such a critical issue for the U.S. economy. From phones and cars to medical devices and defense systems, semiconductors power everyday life—but much of the manufacturing and packaging happens overseas, creating supply‑chain and security risks.

A key focus of the conversation is advanced packaging, which refers to newer ways of assembling semiconductor chips to improve performance, reduce heat, and increase reliability. Piccolo explains that while high‑volume manufacturing will likely remain global, the U.S. has a strong opportunity to bring specialized, high‑reliability packaging back home—especially for industries like space, healthcare, and defense.
The episode also explores how universities, government, and industry can work together to build regional innovation ecosystems. Supported by a National Science Foundation grant, the Florida Semiconductor Engine aims to create a one‑stop shop for design, prototyping, and testing—strengthening U.S. competitiveness while supporting high‑skill jobs and regional growth.

 

TRANSCRIPT LINK
A Word document of this podcast will download by clicking the word Transcript above.

Prof. Barry Render
Prof. Ron Piccolo

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Instructors: assignable auto‑graded exercises using this podcast are available in MyLab OM. To learn more, view our earlier blog post featuring Chuck Munson or contact your Pearson representative: Find your rep

OM Podcast #48: Cold Storage, AI, and the Future of Industrial Facilities

In this episode of the Podcast, Professors Barry Render and Misty Blessley sit down with David Aschenbrand, Executive Managing Director at Newmark, to explore how cold storage and temperature‑controlled facilities are evolving in today’s operations and supply chain environment. Drawing on his background across logistics, transportation, warehousing, and industrial real estate, David explains how cold storage facilities support food, pharmaceutical, and other temperature‑sensitive supply chains, and what clients look for when developing or operating these specialized buildings.

The conversation highlights how facility design decisions—such as location, building footprint, dock configuration, and proximity to ports—can directly affect labor availability, transportation efficiency, and long‑term operational performance. David shares insights on the growing role of automation and AI in industrial facilities, while emphasizing the continued importance of skilled trades and hands‑on roles that support these operations.
The episode concludes with a discussion of what rising labor costs mean for cold storage operators. Together, the hosts and guest offer a practical look at how operations management, facility design, workforce trends, and technology intersect in modern cold chain and warehouse environments.

 

TRANSCRIPT LINK
A Word document of this podcast will download by clicking the word Transcript above.

Prof. Barry Render
Prof. Misty Blessley
Dave Aschenbrand

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Instructors: assignable auto‑graded exercises using this podcast are available in MyLab OM. To learn more, view our earlier blog post featuring Chuck Munson or contact your Pearson representative: Find your rep

OM Podcast #47: Leadership and Continuous Improvement

In our latest podcast, Barry Render interviews John Dyer, a well‑known speaker, consultant, and expert in continuous improvement, and the author of The Façade of Excellence: Defining a New Normal of Leadership. With over 40 years of experience—including roles at GE, Ingersoll Rand, and years of consulting across manufacturing, government, and nonprofit sectors—John brings a depth of practical insight that leaders at every level can learn from.

In this episode, Barry and John discuss:

  • What operational excellence really means beneath the surface
  • Why so many continuous improvement initiatives fail after 12–18 months
  • The psychology behind middle‑management resistance
  • The shift from “manager” to “coach” as the core leadership evolution
  • How empowerment really works
  • How AI will reshape teamwork, decision‑making, and PDCA cycles
  • Real‑world examples of fully empowered, high‑performance teams

This is an outstanding conversation for instructors, operations leaders, and students who want an honest, experience‑grounded perspective on building sustainable cultures of excellence.

 

TRANSCRIPT LINK
A Word document of this podcast will download by clicking the word Transcript above.

John Dyer
Prof. Barry Render

Have you subscribed to this podcast on Apple Podcasts?
Just open your Apple Podcasts app, search “Heizer Render Munson OM Podcast,” and subscribe to get our newest episodes as soon as they’re released!

Instructors: assignable auto‑graded exercises using this podcast are available in MyLab OM. To learn more, view our earlier blog post featuring Chuck Munson or contact your Pearson representative: Find your rep

 

OM Podcast #46: Logistics, Circularity & Vertical Integration at East Penn Manufacturing

In our latest podcast episode Barry Render and Misty Blessley speak with Harry Ziff, VP of Corporate Logistics at East Penn Manufacturing, one of the world’s largest lead‑battery producers. Harry shares highlights from his 37‑year supply chain career and explains how East Penn’s unique structure allows it to excel in reliability, sustainability, and customer service.

Harry discusses East Penn’s deep vertical integration, including in‑house lead refining, plastic molding, and battery case manufacturing. He also describes the company’s closed‑loop recycling system, where nearly 100% of batteries are collected, processed, and reused.  The episode also dives into East Penn’s large private fleet, which enables direct‑store delivery, consistent service, and strong customer relationships.

TRANSCRIPT LINK
A Word document of this podcast will download by clicking the transcript link above.
Prof. Misty Blessley
Prof. Barry Render
Harry Ziff

 

 

 

 

 

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OM Podcast #45: Inside Purchasing at Temple University

In our newest podcast episode, Barry Render and Misty Blessley sit down with Donna Schweibenz, former Senior Director of Purchasing at Temple University, for a fascinating look inside one of higher education’s most complex operational functions.

Donna brings 26 years of experience leading a centralized purchasing department responsible for everything from office supplies to cadavers for medical training—yes, cadavers! She shares how universities must navigate wide‑ranging procurement categories, strict compliance requirements, and unexpected challenges that arise even from seemingly simple purchases.

In this episode, Barry, Misty, and Donna discuss:

  • The sheer variety of goods and services a major university must procure, and the challenges the centralized purchasing team faces.
  • The creation of a three‑university purchasing alliance between Temple, Penn State, and Pitt, and how collaboration led to better pricing and efficiencies.
  • What people often misunderstand about purchasing, including bid thresholds, contracts, warranties, lead times, vendor vetting, and how essential communication is to prevent operational issues.

 

TRANSCRIPT LINK

Donna Schweibenz

A Word document of this podcast will download by clicking the word Transcript above.

Prof . Misty Blessley
Prof. Barry Render

 

 

 

 

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OM Podcast #44: Inside the Cold Storage Industry with Dr. Anna Johnson

Happy New Year!  In our first episode of 2026, Professors Barry Render and Misty Blessley sit down with Dr. Anna Johnson, Vice President of Marketing and Commercial Strategy at U.S. Cold Storage, to explore the fascinating world of temperature-controlled logistics.

Dr. Johnson explains how third-party logistics providers keep America’s food supply safe and efficient, why 98% of U.S. food storage is outsourced, and how sustainability initiatives like anaerobic digestion are reducing food waste.

Prof . Misty Blessley
Prof. Barry Render

The conversation also dives into industry trends—from the surge in capacity during COVID to the current state of the market—and highlights how AI, robotics, and digital twins are transforming operations, and creating new roles for skilled workers in this evolving sector.

Dr. Anna Johnson

 

Read the full transcript

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Our Top Five OM Podcasts of 2025

Our podcasts are gaining a wider and wider audience  and we are creating new ones every few weeks. In case you missed them, here are the top five of those that went live in 2025.

  1. OM Podcast #37:Global Supply Chain Vulnerabilities Professor Darrell Edwards at the U. of Tennessee shares his decades of industry experience.

  2. OM Podcast #34: An Inside Look at Tariffs  Bob O’Donnell, VP of Business Development of Life Sciences at East Coast Warehouse, who previously spent 13 years with Maersk, discusses tariffs and their potential impacts.

  3. OM Podcast #38: Editorial Leadership and the Future of  Operations Management Texas Christian University Prof. Tyson Browning  discuss Tyson’s six-year tenure as journal editor of the Journal of Operations Management, the evolving role of AI in research, and the future direction of the operations management field.

4. OM Podcast #32: Supply Chain Risk Management George Zsidisin, the Barringer Professor of Supply Chain Management at the University of Missouri – Saint Louis is author of several books on Supply Chain Risk.

5. OM Podcast #31: The Impact of AI on Jobs and the Environment  Charlie Render is President of Render Analytics, which helps businesses of all kinds implement AI.  He is also the creator of the popular job-search engine, Apply Genie (ApplyGenie.ai)

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OM Podcast #43: An Interview with Mike Rich, VP of Supply Chain at American Water

In our latest podcast episode Barry and co-host Misty Blessly welcome Mike Rich, Vice President of Supply Chain at American Water, the largest regulated water and wastewater utility in the United States.

Mike Rich

Mike shares his fascinating career journey—from managing thousands of SKUs at Home Depot to driving strategic sourcing initiatives at Arizona Public Service—and how those experiences shaped his leadership approach today. The discussion dives into:

  • Building a customer-service mindset in supply chain
  • Challenges in talent acquisition and team growth
  • Negotiation strategies and risk mitigation in procurement
  • The role of AI and Agentic AI in transforming category strategy and operations

 

Read the full transcript

Have you subscribed to this podcast on Apple Podcasts? Just open your Apple Podcasts app, search “Heizer Render Munson OM Podcast,” and subscribe to get all our episodes delivered straight to your device!

Prof. Misty Blessley
Prof. Barry Render

 

OM Podcast #42: An Interview with the Founders of Canada’s Simpla Foods

We’re back with another inspiring episode of the Heizer/ Render/ Munson OM Podcast.  In this episode, Barry Render sits down with Canadian entrepreneurs Katie Wookey and Ari Davis, co-founders of Simpla Foods, a plant-based yogurt company that’s redefining sustainability and supply chain innovation in the food industry.

Ari Davis and Katie Wookey
Barry Render

Barry explores how Katie and Ari turned a personal health journey into a thriving business now sold in over 300 stores across Canada. The couple shares their experience with co-packing and contract manufacturing, explaining how outsourcing production has allowed them to scale efficiently while staying focused on product development and sustainability.

 

Transcript

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OM Podcast #41: Healthcare Supply Chains

In our latest podcast Barry Render is joined by Misty Blessley, professor of supply chain at Temple University, to co-host a conversation with Jennifer Taylor, Director of Contracts at Universal Health Services (UHS).

Jennifer shares her journey to leading procurement and sourcing at one of the nation’s largest healthcare providers. The discussion covers the challenges of transitioning industries, managing purchasing across hundreds of facilities, and navigating the complexities of tariffs and product allocations in healthcare supply chains.

Jennifer Taylor

You’ll also hear about UHS’s innovative internship

Misty Blessley

program designed to build a pipeline of young talent in supply chain management—and how it’s already producing full-time hires.

 

Barry Render

 

TRANSCRIPT
A Word document of this podcast will download by clicking the word Transcript above.

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OM Podcast #40: AI in the MBA Classroom and Beyond

 

We’re excited to share another Heizer/Render/Munson OM Podcast episode! Today, Barry Render sits down with David Rosenthal, a recent MBA graduate from the University of Texas at Austin, to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming business education and early career experiences.

David shares insights into AI in the classroom, AI as a central part of his internship, and his entrepreneurial journey using AI to build his app, Fantasy Fusion Sports.

 

TRANSCRIPT
A Word document of this podcast will download by clicking the word Transcript above.

David Rosenthal
Prof. Barry Render

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OM Podcast #39: AI, Sustainability, Cybersecurity, & Blockchain in Operations

We’re back with another exciting episode of the Heizer Render Munson OM Podcast! Today, Barry Render sits down with Dr. Subodha Kumar, Paul Anderson Distinguished Chair Professor at Temple University and Founding Director of the Center for Business Analytics and Disruptive Technologies.

Barry and Subodha dive into the transformative role of artificial intelligence in operations management, exploring how AI is reshaping sustainability practices, enhancing cybersecurity, and driving innovation in blockchain applications. Subodha shares real-world examples from industries like retail, dairy, and luxury goods, and discusses how AI is helping companies tackle greenwashing and improve supply chain visibility.

They also discuss the evolving threat landscape in cybersecurity, especially in logistics and supply chains, and how AI and IoT are both part of the problem—and the solution. Subodha also shares some powerful advice for students preparing for a future where AI will be central to every workplace.

 

Transcript
A Word document of this podcast will download by clicking the word Transcript above.

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Prof. Subodha Kumar
Prof. Barry Render

OM Podcast #38: Editorial Leadership and the Future of Operations Management

Welcome back to the fall semester!

In our latest podcast, Barry Render hosts Dr. Tyson Browning, Professor of Operations at Texas Christian University and former co-editor-in-chief of the Journal of Operations Management.  Barry and Tyson discuss Tyson’s six-year tenure as journal editor of the Journal of Operations Management, the evolving role of AI in research, and the future direction of the operations management field.

 

Transcript

A Word document of this podcast will download by clicking the word

Prof. Barry Render
Dr. Tyson Browning

Transcript above.

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OM Podcast #37: Global Supply Chain Vulnerabilities

We hope you’re enjoying summer!  In our July podcast, Barry Render interviews Darrell Edwards, professor of supply chain at University of Tennessee Knoxville. Prof. Edwards has decades of industry experience, including at La-Z-Boy, a leading provider of home furniture, where he was Chief Operating Officer.  In this podcast Barry and Darrell discuss vulnerabilities in global supply chains.

Transcript

A Word document of this podcast will download by clicking the word Transcript above.

Dr. Darrell Edwards
Prof. Barry Render

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OM Podcast #36: Life Sciences Supply Chains

We’ve slowed down our podcast production a bit in the summer while many are taking a break from classes.   We hope you are enjoying the summer so far.

But we are excited about our June podcast, wherein Barry Render interviews Bob O’Donnell, Vice President of Business Development of Life Sciences at East Coast Warehouse, who has extensive experience with life sciences supply chains.  Bob previously spent 13 years with Maersk Logistics and Shipping.  Barry and Bob discuss Bob’s experience and how life sciences supply chains operate.

 

Transcript

A Word document of this podcast will download by clicking the word Transcript above.

Have you subscribed to this podcast on Apple podcasts? Just go to your Apple podcasts app, search “Heizer Render Munson OM Podcast,” and subscribe to get all our podcasts on your mobile device as soon as they come out!

Bob O’Donnell
Prof. Barry Render
Prof. Barry Render