Cohort 24
Fall 2024
Welcome to Denver
Cohort 24 Student Profiles
Sarah Dean
Vincent Faure
Savannah Flament
Keith Klawitter
Annika Nault
Laura Nolan
Keith Nordin
Harris Ormesher
Marsel Oxhaku
Rishi Puran
Shannon Rigg
Carlos Roman
Megan Saunders
Phillip Schwartz
Clark Welmering
Lauren Yeagy
Cohort 24
Sarah Rose Dean
DCLI
AVP, Billing Operations
My personal brand is to do all things with integrity, and to live an honest, open and transparent Christian lifestyle.
Married, to a wonderful man who is in law enforcement. Between us we have four kids, two girls and two boys – 24, 19, 17 and 16, and four dogs. We live in Monroe, NC, a suburb just outside of Charlotte. I as born and raised in San Diego, CA, moved to Charlotte in 2010.
I have been with DCLI for 13 years, in a variety of roles which has allowed me to gain an amazing depth of knowledge of the company and industry.
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Vincent Faure
Trimac
Director of M&A Integration
Bilingual Sales and Operations Manager with over 25 years of experience in the Supply Chain and logistics industry. Vincent's work experience varies from sales at a Class 1 railroad to logistics at an ethanol plant. He is currently working at Trimac as Director of M&A Integration and has had various roles since he joined Trimac in 2016, including as an Area Manager of Quebec and Maritimes to hunting M&A in North America. A passionate leader, he loves to share my knowledge and learn new skills.
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Savannah Flament
Matson Logistics
Director of Rail Pricing
Savannah joined Matson Logistics in 2018 and quickly rose through various roles to her current position as Director of Rail Pricing. With experience in pricing, procurement, finance and equipment management, Savannah oversees domestic intermodal pricing for various equipment types, including Matson Logistics’ fleet of privately-owned 53’ units and Matson’s domestic repositioning program for ISO containers.
Aside from her regular duties, she frequently spends time looking for process improvement to help yield cost savings and add value to customers.
Savannah has a BS in Finance from Northern Illinois University and is currently pursuing her Masters in Transportation and Supply Chain Management at the University of Denver.
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Keith Klawitter
Hub Group
Assistant Vice President, Pricing
Keith Klawitter is the Assistant Vice President of Pricing at Hub Group, a transportation management company providing end to end supply chain solutions. Keith has been with Hub Group for nine years. He oversees the pricing team that develops and proposes all Intermodal solutions to help bring balance, growth, and profitability to the network.
During his time at Hub Group, he has worked with the Account Management, Operations and Commercial teams. As part of Keith’s role, he enjoys strategizing and collaborating with the different groups to provide the most optimal solution to the customer.
Keith attended the University of Missouri earning a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, with an emphasis in Finance. Prior to his tenure at Hub Group, Keith spent 7 years in the mortgage industry. In his spare time, Keith enjoys spending time with his 5and 3-year-old sons and outdoor activities.
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Annika Nault
OmniTRAX
Director of Capital Projects
Annika Nault serves as the Director of Capital Projects overseeing all lines of business managed by OmniTRAX, one of North America’s leading private railroad and transportation companies. In her role, she leads a team responsible for managing capital asset purchases and improvements across Rail Transportation, Real Estate & Industrial Development, and Transload Services. Her responsibilities span budgeting, grant management, expenditure approval, project tracking, funding reimbursements, financial reporting, and capital asset management.
Annika's journey with OmniTRAX began in 2014 as a Staff Accountant, where she managed the financial records for multiple railroad operations. Demonstrating exceptional skills and dedication, she progressed to roles of increasing responsibility. In 2017, as Senior Accountant and Special Projects Manager, Annika spearheaded the development of a comprehensive training program, implemented process enhancements, and led system upgrades to improve operational efficiency and financial transparency.
Recognized for her leadership and contributions, Annika was promoted to Accounting Manager in 2022, where she managed the accounting team in monthly responsibilities and oversaw the monthend close process. She was promoted to her current role in 2023.
Annika holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Metropolitan State University of Denver. She currently resides in Riverview, Florida, with her husband Tim.
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Laura Nolan
Laura Nolan has 20+ years of experience in International Logistics and Supply Chain Management with a love for international trade and global commerce. Laura has developed her talent to succeed in fluid and challenging environments by seeking out creative solutions for complex problems and has a knack to look outside the box to bring new ideas to the table while deploying proven industry standard solutions and fostering critical relationships throughout the community. Laura is on the Board of Directors for the Denver World Trade Center and is a Licensed Customs Broker who lives in Thornton CO with her 3 young children. Fun facts about Laura: She used to race sail boats competitively, loves Metallica, and is extremely color blind (apologies in advance for the creative color schemes in Excel!).
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Keith Nordin
Blue Water Rail Services
General Manager
Keith Nordin is a seasoned Transportation Executive with nearly three decades of experience in the railway industry. Since November 2022, he has been the General Manager at Blue Water Rail Services, where he oversees all aspects of the company's operations. Known for his innovative and transformative approach, Keith excels in fostering collaboration with customers to drive business growth and operational efficiency.
Before his current role, Keith served as the Director of Operations for Southern Railway of British Columbia (SRY Rail Link) and Southern Railway Vancouver Island (SVI). His extensive portfolio included Transportation, Mechanical, Engineering, and Track Maintenance. With notable contributions to health and safety, Keith served as the Chair of the Rail Association of Canada’s Safety Culture Guidance Committee. Beginning his career with Canadian Pacific Railway in 1995, Keith has held various positions, including Superintendent of Operations at Westshore Terminals, consistently demonstrating exceptional leadership and strategic planning skills throughout his career.
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Harris Ormesher
FYX Fleet Roadside Assistance
Senior Financial Analyst
Harris Ormesher holds the position of Senior Financial Analyst at FYX Fleet Roadside Assistance. In his role, Harris is responsible for performing key financial planning and analysis activities.
Originally from Round Rock, Texas, Harris completed his undergraduate education at the University of Mississippi, where he distinguished himself by graduating from the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College. Professionally his experience spans a range of industries including international energy rentals, banking, and consulting. This varied experience has brought a distinct perspective he applies to his current role.
Now living in Florida, Harris spends his free time listening to live music and exploring downtown
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Marsel Oxhaku
ConGlobal
VP, Enterprise Accounts
Marsel was born in Durres, Albania. Growing up in the largest port city of Albania piqued his interest in logistics and international shipping. Marsel moved to the US during his high school years and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Dominican University. Marsel is a member of the Math honor society KME and can speak fluently Albanian and Italian.
Marsel has worked in supply chain and logistics industry for 17 years. His experiences include Ocean Shipping lines with Hanjin shipping and MOL, Intermodal Equipment Providers with DCLI, and Depot operations with ConGlobal. He has concentrated in the areas of financial planning & analysis, and operations in various roles during his career.
Marsel has been awarded the “Service & Solutions Employee of the Year” in 2021 and “Big Win Employee of the year’ in 2023 with ConGlobal.
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Rishi Puran
Air Canada
Senior Director of Cargo Operations
Rishi Puran is a seasoned aviation and logistics professional with over two decades of experience driving operational excellence in the cargo and eCommerce sectors. Currently serving as the Senior Director of Cargo Operations at Air Canada, he oversees the strategic direction and management of the company’s cargo operations for Canada, handling a substantial operational budget exceeding $100 million and leading a team of 80 managers and 1,300 unionized employees. Rishi also spearheads critical initiatives such as the Cargo Hub Improvement Project and implements transformative measures to enhance operational efficiency.
Beginning his career at Air Canada in 2000, Rishi advanced through various roles, showcasing a consistent track record of leadership and innovation. As a Cargo Service Manager, he managed freighter operations across key international routes and oversaw Canada’s largest airport cargo facility. He progressed through positions including Station Manager, Cargo Sales and Service, Manager of Cargo Customer Service and Call Centers, and Manager of Hub Operations where he leveraged his skills in budget management, customer service, with a key focus on operational oversight.
In 2015, Rishi transitioned to a leadership role in Resource Development, playing a pivotal part in workforce planning and labor negotiations. His expertise in operational excellence was further solidified as Manager of Operational Excellence – Cargo in 2018, where he led productivity improvement projects and introduced methodologies such as Lean to enhance cargo operations.
From 2021 to 2023, Rishi served as Director of Global eCommerce, driving a digital transformation of Air Canada’s eCommerce product line and building a new product and revenue stream for the company. He holds a Travel and Tourism Diploma from Seneca College and has pursued additional certifications, including Operations Excellence from the Schulich Executive Education Centre. Rishi is also actively involved in community service, contributing to relief efforts for global crises such as the Thailand tsunami and the Haiti earthquake.
With a proven ability to build and mentor high-performance teams, manage complex operations, and deliver transformational projects, Rishi Puran continues to drive success and innovation in the aviation and logistics industry.
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Shannon Rigg
Trimac
Vice President of Operations for the Northwest and Trimac Energy
Shannon Rigg, the Vice President of Operations for the Northwest and Trimac Energy, began her journey with Trimac in Richmond, British Columbia, back in 2002. She started as a branch clerk and gradually moved into management roles, driven by her hard work and curiosity about the business. After managing the company’s dry bulk business in Edmonton, Alberta, she was promoted in November 2020 to Vice President of Truckline Operations for Western Canada.
Throughout her time at Trimac, Shannon has embraced new challenges and change in an ever-evolving environment. As a people leader, she enjoys building strong teams and fostering an environment where everyone can thrive. Her experience in various roles, from CSR to Area Manager, has given her a well-rounded understanding of the business, helping her focus on safer work practices, cost savings, and team development.
On the personal side, Shannon is married and has a 15-year-old daughter who keeps her and her husband busy with volleyball. They also have two Schnoodle dogs that bring extra fun and energy to their home.
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Carlos Roman
UPS
Director of Marketing, Central US SMB Market
Carlos is a driven and passionate Sales and Marketing professional. He began his career at Enterprise Holdings, where he held various roles in operations management and sales over seven years. Carlos began his UPS career in 2011 as a Sales professional in Austin, TX. Over the next five years, he held various sales positions of increasing responsibility. In 2016, Carlos moved into Marketing as a Field Industry Segment Manager supporting High Tech and Healthcare industries. Over the next eight years, Carlos held various Marketing positions, including roles in Revenue Strategy, Marketing Strategy and Operations, and Product Management/ New Product Development. Today, Carlos is the Director of Marketing and supports driving profitable volume growth in the U.S. SMB segment.
Carlos has served on various BRG’s, and he has led and supported several committees on a range of topics including Startups, Technology, Diversity, Data, Revenue and Compliance. He has a Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in Marketing from Texas State University. Carlos has been married to his wife, Krystalle, for eight years, and they have two beautiful girls, Josephine (6) and Penelope (4). He enjoys playing golf, being on the water, and spending time with friends and family.
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Megan Saunders
CMA-CGM
Vice President of Intermodal Operations
Megan Saunders is an operations leader in the logistics and supply chain industry whose 14 years of experience is marked by organizational transformation, process improvement and digitization as well as business growth and expert functional execution. She drives developing and deploying strategic approaches, collaborating amongst internal and external stakeholders and advancing staff development and proficiencies for a holistic approach to ensure success within her team and company.
Mrs. Saunders is the Vice President of Intermodal Operations for CMA CGM America LLC, an agency of the French shipping and logistics company CMA CGM. She partners with leaders across the agency providing the service and teams to meet current demand and grow the rail and truck business offerings by CMA CGM in both the United States and Canada. Through her innovative strategies and leadership qualities, Mrs. Saunders is progressively optimizing the CMA CGM North American intermodal network, saving millions of dollars costs while ensuring the direct customer is still receiving the most expeditious delivery of their freight.
Prior to leading Intermodal Operations for CMA CGM, Mrs. Saunders held responsibility for Railroad, Motor Carrier and Equipment Depot procurement for CMA CGM. In 2022, she renegotiated and concluded contracts with all six Class 1 railroads in North America bringing CMA CGM significantly improved terms and conditions with all suppliers. In addition, she developed and delivered internal platforms and tools to digitize the pricing process for both internal and external customers, streamlining for efficiency, accuracy and consistency.
Mrs. Saunders attended Old Dominion University for undergrad where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with concentration in Professional Writing and Business Development.
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Phillip Schwartz
UPS
Colorado/New Mexico/Wyoming Transportation Operations Manager
Phillip started his career in 2005 in Jacksonville Florida as a Package Handler. In 2011, he was promoted to Full-Time Operations Supervisor in the Jacksonville facility on the Night Sort. In 2017, Phillip was promoted to Hub Manager in Jacksonville and spent time on the Day, Twilight, and Night Sorts. In 2021, he was promoted to Hub Division Manager in Denver.
He also holds a bachelor’s degree in Sports Management from the University of North Florida.
He is married to his wife Morgan and has one child, Walker (Three Year Old).
Most of his time outside of UPS is exercising, spending time with his son and watching sports as an avid Jacksonville Jaguars Fan.
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Clark Welmering
Gateway Terminals, LLC
Site Manager
Clark Welmering is the Site Manager for Gateway Terminals, LLC in Savannah, Georgia. Gateway Terminals is responsible for the stevedoring and terminal operating services for the Georgia Ports Authority.
After studying Management and Economics at Georgia College & State University, Clark worked as a Professional Mariner in the super yacht industry. He worked with international crews traveling the world gaining priceless experiences. Clark earned several USCG captain's and engineering licenses. After five years at sea, he began looking for land-based maritime opportunities. In 2012 he started with Ports America in Savannah (locally becoming Gateway in 2022 as part of a JV).
At Gateway, Clark combines his operations background and leadership skillset—including diversified cargo operations and labor management—to help the Georgia Ports Authority continue moving cargo through the largest container terminal in North America. He works with vessel operators, ILA members, and cargo owners to continue driving excellence in the Port of Savannah. Through a robust team, he is responsible for over 3 million container lifts annually and manages an operating budget of over $400 Million.
Outside of his time at the port, Clark enjoys traveling, attending music festivals, being on the water, and gathering with friends and family.
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Lauren Yeagy
Wabash
Marketing and Supply Chain Analyst
Lauren Yeagy is an early career supply chain professional. Her professional experience includes multiple roles at Dayton Freight including outbound and inbound route management as well as customer service. She is currently working with Wabash within the strategic marketing group, specifically in the area of digital platform development.
Lauren Yeagy is a graduate of the Gatton College of Business at the University of Kentucky with Bachelor’s Degrees in Strategic Management and Marketing with a concentration in sales. She is originally from Lafayette, Indiana but is currently residing in Lexington, KY. Outside of work she trains and competes in the sport of equestrian eventing.