Miami Dade College Night

On January 25, students from the Miami Dade College (MDC) PortMiami Propeller Club hosted Miami Dade College Night. The evening was an opportunity for MDC Supply Chain Management students to network with logistics executives and featured a knowledgeable panel of elite Miami professionals eager to provide information on Miamis growing logistics prowess and how students may become involved in the industry. The evening kicked off with comments from MDC Dean of Global Business, Trade & Transportation, Dr. Rana F. Shehadeh. Following Dr. Shehadeh came a presentation from WTDC Chairman Ralph L. Gazitua who serves as Chair of the Supply Chain Management Advisory Committee (SCMAC) for MDC. Mr. Gazitua highlighted each of the SCMAC committees that brought new initiatives in classroom content, technology, Internships, and access to corporate executives in the form of mentors and guest speakers. The Committee provides access to logistics professionals for the students, a point mentioned by a number of panel members who said they wish they could have had such mentorship opportunities while they were studying. Mr. Gazitua also highlighted the career trajectory of Executive VP of the Florida Customs Brokers & Forwarders (FCBF) Barbara Pimentel. 38 years ago, Ms. Pimentel started as a receptionist for Mr. Gazitus company Florida International Forwarders (FIF) and worked her way up to become the area’s only female Warehouse Manager and later to her leadership role with FCBF, the 2nd largest organization for Customs Brokers and Forwarders in the country. Ms. Pimentel spoke to those glass ceilings she helped to break and had encouraging words for all the young female logistics professionals. In addition to Ms. Pimentel, the panel of speakers included Dr. John Wensvee, MDC Vice Provost of Academic Schools, Richard DeVillers, Sr. Executive Assistant to the Director of Port Miami, Greg Chin, Communications Director of the Miami Dade Aviation Department, and Charly Berio, US Consumer Product Safety Commission. The panel addressed topics such as eCommerce, opportunities for growth and cooperation between the private and public sectors (as well inner dialog among divisions of the public sector), how students can become involved in the logistics industry, and Miamis growing importance as a Global Gateway, not just a Gateway to the Americas. Dr. Wensvee chronicled his success in aviation as an example for the limitless opportunities available to MDC students while Mr. Berio emphasized the role his organization plays to keep the American public safe while still trying to make logistics more efficient. Discussion on Amazon’s recent nod to Miami as a Top-20 finalist for a 2nd Amazon HQ presented Mr. Chin and Mr. DeVillers with an opportunity to highlight the record cargo traffic at the ports. This was lightheartedly followed by another encouraging reminder from Ms. Pimentel that it was the Customs Brokers and Forwarders who are working hard every day to build those numbers to where they are today. Congratulations again to the MDC students who put together this fantastic event. WTDC served as the Gold Sponsor for the event and we look forward to participating again next year. A special thank you to Propeller Club President Phil Everingham and to President of Farovi Shipping Mr. Jorge Rovirosa for introducing the Propeller Club to MDC. We must also thank Miami Dade College President Dr. Eduardo Padron, MDC Kendall and West Campus President Dr. Beverly Moore Garcia, MDC Vice Provost Dr. John Wensveen, and MDC Department of Business Sarah Tuskey MDC Assistant Professor-Supply Chain Richard Sarabia, for their continued support of the Supply Chain Management program at Miami Dade College.