Thursday, April 24, 2025
9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Gateway Hotel and Conference Center
Ames, Iowa
Voorhees Supply Chain Conference
Voorheees Conference moves to the spring!
Join us in Ames for the 32nd annual Voorhees Supply Chain Conference! Learn from industry leaders and network with other supply chain professionals as we talk about enhancing supply chain management through artificial intelligence.
This year’s conference features three engaging speakers:
- “What Supply Chain Leaders Need to Know About AI”
Michael Watson, co-founder of Opex Analytics and associate professor, Northwestern University - “Leveraging AI in Retail Returns Mitigation”
Chad Nelson, associate director of intake, damage, and returns reduction at Best Buy - “From Research to Reality: AI in Supply Chain Management”
Rajen Raval, director of supply chain industry solutions, Microsoft
After lunch, enjoy a series of quick research updates from Iowa State’s internationally recognized supply chain management faculty.
The Voorhees Conference is designed for professionals involved in planning, sourcing, manufacturing, and delivering products. Bring your team and take advantage of special group pricing for teams of three or more!
-
Chad Nelson
Chad Nelson is associate director of intake, damage, and returns reduction at Best Buy.
Chad started his career at IBM in Rochester, Minnesota, after graduating from Iowa State University with a bachelor of science in economics. He held many roles during his eight years at IBM, finding his path in project management focused on supply chain initiatives.
In 2015, Chad joined Best Buy as a business-focused project manager to implement and configure automated delivery routing software to create a more efficient delivery experience for both customers and drivers. He later took operations management leadership roles in both forward and reverse supply chain functions. On the reverse side, Chad was responsible for sales and operations planning for more than $900 million in customer-returned goods and fundamentally changed the way appliance returns were addressed internally.
In 2019, Chad transitioned into forward distribution operations, leading inbound, outbound, dotcom, and systems support operations for Best Buy’s national network of distribution centers. Holding this role throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, he was able to help shape Best Buy’s contingency and operational planning through all phases of the pandemic. In 2022, he returned to the reverse side of the business in a strategic cross-functional leadership role focusing on reducing appliance returns and TV damages.
Chad also holds a master of science in supply chain management from the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management.
-
Rajen Raval
Rajen Raval leads global supply chain strategies at Microsoft, working with partners and customers to implement cutting-edge solutions. Rajen spearheads digital transformations across industries like manufacturing and mobility, leveraging AI, machine learning, and generative AI technologies, including Microsoft 365 Copilot, to optimize supply chain functions. He leads customer and partner engagements to maximize the use of Microsoft products and services, drives thought leadership, and crafts go-to-market strategies for global regions.
Prior to joining Microsoft, Rajen had a rewarding 24-year career at The Coca-Cola Company, where he led several large-scale digital transformation initiatives. With a focus on quality, delivery, and team engagement, Rajen excelled in driving innovation and managing multi-million-dollar programs. His leadership in implementing world-class manufacturing and supply chain platforms for the iconic brand showcased his expertise and passion for digital transformations.
Rajen is also a recognized speaker and storyteller, engaging with CXOs to implement innovative solutions.
-
Michael Watson, PhD
Mike was the co-founder and CEO of Opex Analytics (now part of Coupa Software), working primarily on supply chain problems for Fortune 500 companies. He is now on the faculty at Northwestern University.
Mike talks about AI and supply chain to many universities, professional organizations, and executive leadership teams. He is the lead author of the book, Supply Chain Network Design, and blogs at https://MikeTalksAI.substack.com/.
-
Chad Nelson
Chad Nelson is associate director of intake, damage, and returns reduction at Best Buy.Chad started his career at IBM in Rochester, Minnesota, after graduating from Iowa State University with a bachelor of science in economics. He held many roles during his eight years at IBM, finding his path in project management focused on supply chain initiatives.
In 2015, Chad joined Best Buy as a business-focused project manager to implement and configure automated delivery routing software to create a more efficient delivery experience for both customers and drivers. He later took operations management leadership roles in both forward and reverse supply chain functions. On the reverse side, Chad was responsible for sales and operations planning for more than $900 million in customer-returned goods and fundamentally changed the way appliance returns were addressed internally.
In 2019, Chad transitioned into forward distribution operations, leading inbound, outbound, dotcom, and systems support operations for Best Buy’s national network of distribution centers. Holding this role throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, he was able to help shape Best Buy’s contingency and operational planning through all phases of the pandemic. In 2022, he returned to the reverse side of the business in a strategic cross-functional leadership role focusing on reducing appliance returns and TV damages.
Chad also holds a master of science in supply chain management from the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management.
-
Rajen Raval
Rajen Raval leads global supply chain strategies at Microsoft, working with partners and customers to implement cutting-edge solutions. Rajen spearheads digital transformations across industries like manufacturing and mobility, leveraging AI, machine learning, and generative AI technologies, including Microsoft 365 Copilot, to optimize supply chain functions. He leads customer and partner engagements to maximize the use of Microsoft products and services, drives thought leadership, and crafts go-to-market strategies for global regions.Prior to joining Microsoft, Rajen had a rewarding 24-year career at The Coca-Cola Company, where he led several large-scale digital transformation initiatives. With a focus on quality, delivery, and team engagement, Rajen excelled in driving innovation and managing multi-million-dollar programs. His leadership in implementing world-class manufacturing and supply chain platforms for the iconic brand showcased his expertise and passion for digital transformations.
Rajen is also a recognized speaker and storyteller, engaging with CXOs to implement innovative solutions.
-
Michael Watson, PhD
Mike was the co-founder and CEO of Opex Analytics (now part of Coupa Software), working primarily on supply chain problems for Fortune 500 companies. He is now on the faculty at Northwestern University.Mike talks about AI and supply chain to many universities, professional organizations, and executive leadership teams. He is the lead author of the book, Supply Chain Network Design, and blogs at https://MikeTalksAI.substack.com/.