KC SmartPort Appoints New Chairwoman
and Executive Committee
January 26, 2010 - KANSAS CITY- Melody Warren, president and CEO of Transportation Logistics Systems, has been appointed as chairwoman for KC SmartPort as Mike Priest finishes his term.
In her first year as board chairwoman, Warren will work closely with Chris Gutierrez, president of KC SmartPort, to lead the organization. As a non-profit, KC SmartPort works to promote and elevate Kansas City as a top-tier transportation and logistics hub.
"As a native Kansas Citian with 30 years in the transportation industry, I have always known that our geographic location and high volume of rail capacity positions Kansas City as a strong transportation hub,” said Warren. “I am excited to be a part of KC SmartPort's efforts and will continue to help promote Kansas City’s transportation industry.”
Warren is the first woman to serve as chair of KC SmartPort. Warren will also hold a seat on KC SmartPort’s 2010 Executive Committee. Also appointed to the committee is Al Figuly, president of the Greater KC Foreign Trade Zone, Robert Marcusse, president and CEO of the Kansas City Area Development Council, Skip Kalb, director of strategic development of BNSF and Mike Priest, regional vice president of TranSystems Corporation.
“KC SmartPort is a huge asset to the Kansas City region,” said Warren. “We are fortunate to have an organization that encourages and provides partnership among industry leaders.”
In 2010, KC SmartPort will build on its success in 2009. The organization will continue to work with the Kansas City Area Development Council to attract new and expanding freight-based companies to the area. In 2009, KC SmartPort in cooperation with the Kansas City Area Development Council successfully attracted companies such as Home Depot, FedEx SmartPost, Smith Electric Vehicles and Ford Storage and Moving.
"The KC region experienced tremendous success in 2009," said Gutierrez. "We will all work hard to continue to put KC at the top of a company's list when it wants to expand or relocate."
Throughout 2010, KC SmartPort will also continue to focus on its Supply Chain Education initiative. KC SmartPort will bring members of the logistics industry together with area educational institutions to identify the training needs for the industry.
KC SmartPort will help roll out the Trade Data Exchange in the first quarter of 2010. The Trade Data Exchange, a technology-driven interface that increases freight visibility and creates a more efficient supply chain, will go live this month.
"Companies want the ability to know where their products are, when they will reach its destination and how long it will take for the freight to arrive. The TDE provides that," said Gutierrez.
Media Contact
Marketing Specialist
Kansas City SmartPort
(816) 374-5640
