Robert J. Trent, Ph.D., is the supply chain management program director and the Eugene Mercy associate professor of management at Lehigh University, where he teaches at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Dr. Trent gained his practical experience in operations management, purchasing, distribution planning, production scheduling, and package engineering at the Chrysler Corporation. He holds a B.S. degree in materials logistics management from Michigan State University, an M.B.A. degree from Wayne State University, and a Ph.D. in purchasing/operations management from Michigan State University. He has been published extensively in numerous magazines and journals such as Supply Chain Management Review, Inside Supply Management, Journal of Supply Chain Management, International Journal of Purchasing and Materials Management, Sloan Management Review, International Journal of Physical Distribution and Logistics Management, Total Quality Management, Academy of Management Executive, Business Horizons, Team Performance Management, NAPM Insights, Supply Chain Forum and Managing Information Strategies and his research is often published by the Center for Advanced Purchasing Studies (CAPS). Dr. Trent is also co-author of a best-selling textbook entitled Purchasing and Supply Chain Management, now in its third edition. He is a sought-after speaker for seminars and professional conferences. Bob is an active member of Institute of Supply Management (ISM), serving for many years as the Professional Development Director of the NAPM, Lehigh Valley Chapter, and, at the national level, as a member of the ISM Educational Resources Committee.