University of Wisconsin-Superior’s Transportation and Logistics and Supply Chain Management program students recently competed in the annual Logistics & Supply Chain Management Case Competition, sponsored by the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA) and hosted at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Florida, April 4 and 5.

The team of Lucas Fehrenbacher, Rille Kupka and Sean McCoshen, and coached by Mei Cao, professor of transportation and supply chain management and Director of the Transportation and Logistics Research Center, the team competed against eight other universities renowned for their undergraduate education in transportation, logistics and supply chain management.

Given a case on-site on the afternoon of April 4, the UW-Superior team had five hours to analyze and prepare solutions, which they presented to a panel of five industry professional judges the following morning.

While California State University Maritime Academy emerged as the competition winner, the UW-Superior team was commended for their poise, industry knowledge and innovative solutions by the judges. As one of 12 IANA scholarship universities, UW-Superior has participated in the competition since 2015, securing first place in 2023.

During their time in Florida, the UW-Superior students visited the Talleyrand Marine Terminal of the Jacksonville Port Authority, hosted by Crowley Logistics, and gained insights from Joe Hinrichs, president and CEO of CSX, who shared his expertise from over 30 years in the transportation and supply chain sectors. The students also enjoyed networking with fellow teams and faculty advisors.

“I am immensely proud of our students’ performance,” said Cao. “Their grasp of knowledge, problem-solving skills and teamwork were exceptional, reflecting their dedication and preparation. The competition offers invaluable learning experiences, shaping our students’ future careers in transportation and supply chain management.”

The students extended their gratitude to IANA, UNF, the UW-Superior Foundation, and Dr. Cao for the invaluable learning experience provided.

“Participating in the case competition was an immensely rewarding experience that not only honed on my critical thinking, analytical, and many other skills but also cultivated a spirit of collaboration and creativity within our team,” said Fehrenbacher. “Whether it was dissecting the case study, brainstorming innovative solutions, or giving an oral presentation, every step of the process was infused with a sense of excitement, dedication, and certainly learning.”

“I am grateful I was able to participate,” said McCoshen. “The connections and friendships I made while there are valuable assets to my career, as well as the information that I absorbed. I would recommend this to future students, and hope that they have the same experience I had.”

 “Throughout the competition, I had the chance to meet a diverse group of individuals, each bringing their unique perspectives and skill sets to the table, which not only expanded my network but also challenged me to think critically and creatively in solving complex supply chain problems,” said Kupka. “The competition was a rewarding experience that reinforced my passion for the field and instilled in me a greater appreciation for the intricacies of logistics and supply chain management, and I look forward to applying the insights gained from this experience in my future endeavors.”