Today, the MBA Supply Chain Management Association organized a roundtable discussion over lunch with Ron Schnur from Coors. Ron is a distinguished member of the Smeal College of Business MBA Alumni Advisory Board, and in town to meet with current MBA students.

The conversation was very interesting, covering topics ranging from the Coors supply chain to the malt beverage industry to Penn State football. Most interesting was his discussion of the importance of relationships within the supply chain (and business in general). He shared many examples of good relationships being the deciding factor in many supply chain (and life) decisions. It was great to interact with an executive of Ron’s level on an informal basis and lean many formal and informal lessons from him.

Finally, he shared an article that he wrote for the September, 2007 edition of “Inside Supply Management” magazine regarding supplier collaboration. I look forward to attending additional opportunities like todays…

–Tim Gross
2nd year MBA student, VP Finance, MBA Supply Chain Management Association