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Chris Sower, CTL

Lifelong learning and obtaining credentials in the logistics and transportation industry is essential to being successful in today's global marketplace. The Transportation and Logistics program taught at the University of Houston provided me with an excellent opportunity by obtaining my Certification in Transportation and Logistics (CTL) from ASTL.

The instructors brought a wealth of real-world experience into the classroom and valuable insights into the industry. The knowledge I have gained has opened up new career and networking opportunities. The knowledge I have gained has opened up new career and networking opportunities. Networking with others in the industry is important to career advancement and this certification ensures employers that my knowledge and skills are recognized by a longstanding industry organization. I would recommend this program to anyone seeking to gain knowledge and career advancement.
 

Hari Doraisamy, PLS

I obtained my PLS from the Graduate Certificate Program in Supply Chain Management from Penn State. This was an amazing program and I learnt a lot, not only from the instructors, but also from my fellow students who were professionals across various industries.

I was able to apply my knowledge gained from the certification in supporting my customers with their supply chain management problems and also apply the concepts learned towards my job. I am now able to apply the concepts gained from the program/certification to better understand my customers' problems/challenges and provide better support for their challenges.

I recommend everyone getting your PLS certification from ASTL. ASTL is a very prestigious organization and the PLS is a very valuable credential to have in the industry.

Cesar Burgos, CTL

I obtained my Certification in Transportation and Logistics (CTL) from the University of North Florida Continuing Education cohort program. This has been one of the most thorough and professional classes I have attended in years. The instructors make the course very dynamic, easy to understand, challenging and engaging. Real-case situations were incorporated with our classmates' experiences as well. The program encourages participation throughout and students keep an open mind, allowing creative thinking and deep understanding of the logistics and transportation industry.

I was able to immediately apply my knowledge at work and directly support the transportation and logistics group analyzing freight lanes by assisting in the bidding process. Achieving the CTL has provided recognition among my peers and has let me expand my experience in a constantly evolving industry.

I strongly recommend getting your ASTL CTL Certification, whether you are currently in the industry or interested in venturing into the transportation and logistics world, the curriculum in this program helps "you to think different" and will open many current and future opportunities and developments within this industry.

Arauna Palm, CTL

I wholeheartedly recommend this program. CTL certification prepares managers for the new era of globalization which has suddenly enveloped us. Most college courses do not include Supply Chain Management in their financial, engineering, or MBA curricula. In my veiw, supply chain strategy will be the distinguishing factor of the successful future manager.

I further recommend the American Society of Transportation's CTL certification to people working in the logistics industry, because most logisitics managers specialize in only one component of the supply chain, such as transportation or warehousing. The well-rounded modern manager needs to understand and possess compentencies related to the entire supply chain. I thoroughly enjoyed the University of North Florida's Division of Continuing Education CTL Cohort program with its animated class discussions and steep learning curve.

I heard about ASTL's Global Logistics Associate Certification (GLA)at Polk State College from a friend. I thought that it would be a great way for me to enhance my training through obtaining a professional credential.

Certifications are looked upon very favorably in my current job, and I know that it is something employers look for in general as well.  Right away I was able to apply several things from the GLA courses. One of the resources that I immediately was able to use was how to implement and coordinate warehouse management systems to transportation management systems. This is new knowledge that helped me oversee the production plant to prepare daily workloads to ship out on time without any back orders.  I think continuing education is important, especially in the logistics field.

The supply chain industry is constantly changing, and it is important to look for opportunities to not only improve your resume, but to re-educate yourself on what is new and available in our field.  I've already recommended this program to several of my coworkers.  It has caused my employer to take a more serious look at what I have to offer the company, helped me to be better at what I do, and when I am ready to move forward with another employment opportunity it will allow those perspective employers to better see what I have to offer.  Thank you so much for this great certification.
 

Krystal Palmer, CTL

The pursuit of my graduate degree in conjunction with ASTL certifications, has provided me with the opportunity to advance my career. I am a Business Analyst in the IT-Logistics Department at Wakefern Food Corporation. The skills that I learned through my education gave me an in-depth understanding of supply chain core competencies that I am able to apply within the day-to-day responsibilities and challenges that I encounter.
 
I plan to attend the next ASTL board meeting of my local ASTL chapter. This will open the door for introductions to various industry professionals, of which I look forward to.
 
You've got to join and get certified! Being associated with ASTL will open doors and allows me to challenge myself with new levels of knowledge.

Joe Larsen, CTL

I learned about the ASTL certification programs through the University of North Florida and became a member of the association. In obtaining my CTL certification, I benefit from being recognized as a fellow professional who has a vested interest in working to improve the value and vision of logistics. I truly believe that life is about continual learning and improving. The people I’ve met around the world in the field of logistics consistently feel the same way and I’ve been fortunate to be led and mentored by them. Membership in ASTL and becoming involved in as many programs as you can is a terrific way to increase your knowledge, build your toolkit, and professional network.

One of the best things I learned while obtaining my CTL was the mapping of the supply chain and logistical processes within it. If you have a map you can find where you are, where you’ve been, and determine how to get where you’re going. It allows for isolating different segments to scrutinize costs, identify relationships, and evaluate value chain complexities. Mapping of the network lets you plan for contingencies so that your materials make it to their destination with as little interruption as possible. It’s an invaluable tool in our field. Being prior military we used a lot of maps to give leadership a good picture in a snapshot of the situation now and develop a plan for the future including backup plans. Leadership will not get “surprised” by changes and costs because of network difficulties.

Debbie McDowell, CTL

As a senior manager with over 25 years of experience for a Port-driven Supply Chain Management company, I am frequently asked to speak to students in colleges and universities about the field of transportation and logistics. Last year the University of North Florida (UNF) asked me to speak about the value of certification from the American Society of Transportation and Logistics (ASTL) CTL program and networking through an industry association. At a reception that followed afterwards, I found myself truly inspired by the students and their excitement in gaining career prospects in Supply Chain Management and Logistics careers. This sparked an interest to investigate the ASTL CTL UNF Cohort program.

In my own career I have continued education and gained tremendous knowledge with hands-on experience. Talking with the students in the ASTL's CTL programs, I realized that the topics of their discussions were different from my past education in transportation and logistics. I decided to put into practice my speech to the students about the value of life-long learning and enrolled in ASTL's CTL UNF Cohort program.

I am proud to say that I graduated from the CTL program last year and can truly say it was a fantastic experience. I learned a tremendous amount of valuable information from the instructors and other participants in the program. Their perspectives on the relevant issues in today's market challenged my own, and being able to discuss these issues in class was a great educational experience for me. As Director of Business Development and Customer Service for my company, a reminder of how the industry is viewed today and what motivates and drives industry professionals in the current economic market was worth every minute spent in the program. The information taught within the CTL program is invaluable and I highly recommend the program to anyone who desires to be successful within the transportation and logistics field within our ever-changing global economy.

Kathryn Peebles, CTL

Going through the process of earning and gaining my certification through ASTL has proven itself to be a great benefit to my career. We all say that we love the field, we are great learners, and we are committed to expanding our education, but can we prove it? Employers find my certification irresistible because it shows my enthusiasm and participation in the industry.
 
Pursuing my certification in Transportation and Logistics taught me how to manage many aspects of the field from International Process Management to People Management. Within a month of starting my career, I was asked to reduce bottlenecks, and increase overall efficiencies that would result in cost savings. I immediately pulled out past notes and started thinking. I learned that in order to find cost savings in this industry, sometimes you need to start by penny pinching. I implemented a project that involved reducing labor costs and errors. This led me to evaluating not only the operational process, but also the employees. I evaluated each employee's strengths and weaknesses and manipulated the process so each employee was able to specialize in their strength area. For example, "Jack" was very good at routing internationally, but not the best at keeping up with compliance deadlines, like on-time invoicing. On the other hand, "Katie's" forte was following all corporate compliance deadlines and standards. She had received special recognition for her 100% on time tracking and billing. In order to reduce labor costs and errors, I designed a new process that made sure all employees, like Jack and Katie, were working together in their specialties. The completion of this project led to a well rounded staff, a cost savings of about $50/day, and a happier team.
 
The certification program was recommended to me from the University of North Texas and by many logistics professionals. If you have an interest in becoming successful in Transportation and Logistics, you should take advantage of the opportunity to receive your CTL certification. It provides a strong educational foundation and an impressive way to stick out in a crowded job market. We all say that we love the field, we are great learners, and we are committed to expanding our education, but can we prove it? Joining and staying committed to ASTL proves it.

Stefano Rieppi, MS, CTL

Rail freight is an increasingly important component of supply chains across virtually all industrial sectors. As the importance of rail as a sustainable and efficient mode of transportation grows nationally and globally, rail freight managers are thereby tasked with the challenge of delivering truly superior customer service levels. To achieve such service levels, it is essential that all relevant managers fully understand each customer's supply chain structure and requirements. Based on my direct experience, obtaining a CTL can enable rail freight managers at all levels to understand supply chain structures and priorities across all industrial sectors. The knowledge obtained from the CTL program helps develop logistical solutions that reflect customer requirements, not only from the standpoint of rail operations, but also the overall value chain. Stop here
 
In my recent role as operations manager for NS Chicago Hub terminals, my CTL allowed me to enhance my understanding of intermodal operations and the role of each stakeholder in national and international intermodal value chains. Conversely, I was able to work more efficiently with intermodal service managers and subcontractors and contribute more effectively to the swift movement of intermodal units, especially during the well-known Peak Season that precedes winter holidays. In my new role as Industrial Engineer, I plan on using my CTL-related knowledge to develop capacity planning and management strategies that can effectively reflect the structure and priorities of the supply chains of customers currently using or planning to use rail.
 
I strongly recommend pursuing a CTL to anybody that currently works within a specific transportation mode and wishes to develop a balanced, multimodal logistical background. Furthermore, given the growing international recognition of CTL, this qualification is also extremely relevant to those with non-US credentials that wish to obtain a qualification that is recognized both in the US and in key non-US logistical markets.
 

Todd Simpson, CTL

Renee Lambing, CTL

I have broad experience in Supply Chain Management and Transportation and Logistics, but I learned more and refocused my thinking by taking the Certification in Transportation and Logistics (CTL) at the University of North Florida.  My intention was to learn more about Global Logistics and the complexities involved in cross-bounder trade and logistics.  I gained, not only valuable knowledge in this area, but a more comprehensive understanding of global supply chain models.  

Mike Sumnick, CTL