Supply Chain Risk – How Covid-19 is Disrupting Washington’s Supply Chains

Covid-19 has severely impacted global supply chains since its outbreak in January 2020. The virus initially created a supply shock, as China’s manufacturing plants were unable to operate and shipments were severely delayed. This was then followed by a severe reduction in consumer and business demand, as economies around the world became paralyzed by the virus and fell into recession. Both manufacturers and shippers have struggled to keep their operations running efficiently as they face difficulties in sourcing components.

Washington State is uniquely vulnerable to those disruptions, owing to our strong reliance on international trade and extensive port system. In this webinar, we’ll discuss the importance of global supply chains to our local economy, and how the pandemic has impacted these systems. We’ll hear from supply chain practitioners and experts and port officials on recent trends and implications for the future.

Attendance is free. Registration is required. REGISTER HERE.

Panelists

Tong Zhu is the Chief Commercial and Strategy Officer at Northwest Seaport Alliance. Tong oversees the organization’s commercial team, including the alliance’s cargo and real estate businesses, marketing and research. Prior to the formation of the alliance, Tong served as the chief commercial officer at the Port of Tacoma since 2010. As chief commercial officer, she managed the activities of the Port’s diversified business portfolio, including container, non‐container (breakbulk and RoRo), intermodal and real estate. She also oversaw the marketing, research and customer outreach activities of the port’s business development teams.

Tong serves on the executive committee of the Washington State China Relations Council, and the boards of directors of the Japan America Society of the State of Washington and the Evergreen Building Products Association.

Sam Kaplan is the Director of the Center of Excellence for Global Trade and Supply Chain Management at Highline College, which connects industry and education in Washington around workforce development issues. The Center maintains data on the industry, organizes overseas exchange programs, and provides state-wide global trade and logistics curriculum.

In 20 years at the Trade Development Alliance of Greater Seattle, the last five as president, Sam was engaged in promoting, connecting and educating the Greater Seattle region internationally for trade and business. Previously Sam worked as a legislative assistant handling foreign affairs and trade issues for now retired U.S. Representative John Miller.

Sam has been published in the World Bank’s Urban Age magazine, as well as in many other publications. Sam also publishes the weekly newsletter, International Need to Know and has recently written a book about China and America. He wrote and co-produced the short film about customer service, Please Hold, and is author of the novel, Munsrat Lives.

Jeff Keenan spent 20+ years scaling and managing the packaged product Global Supply Chain for Aldus Corporation and Adobe Systems, with responsibility for many of Adobe’s key Global Operational Excellence and Continuous Improvement strategic initiatives in the US, Czech Republic, Russia, and Germany. His tenure also included setting up Adobe’s Asia-Pacific supply chain operations and regional headquarters office in Singapore.

For the past 10+ years, Jeff has independently consulted for early stage organizations and performs strategic business model assessment, cross-functional operations management optimization, and supply chain efficiency improvements. Jeff is co-author of the book Our Day to End Poverty: 24 Ways You Can Make a Difference, and previously served on the Board of APICS Puget Sound, the local chapter of the world’s largest supply chain professional’s organization.

Moderators

J. Norwell Coquillard is the Executive Director of the Washington State China Relations Council. Nor has 35 years of experience conducting businesses in Asia, including serving as the country CEO for Cargill in Korea, Japan and China (1988 to 2009), the Chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai (2008 & 2009), as well as the leader of executive groups and a major non-profit in China. He currently serves as a member of the International Advisory Board of the global communications firm APCO Worldwide.

Johan Karsoho is a 20-year supply chain veteran with a successful track record of initiating and implementing process improvements, including as a Director of North Asia Production & Planning at Adidas, and a Senior Manager of Supply Planning at REI. Johan is now a volunteer at Restart Partners, where he is co-leading the Community of Leaders and managing the trusted supplier program.