What would Malcolm McLean do? Call for Pragmatic Intrepid Investigators to Focus on Solutions in Logistics

Mac Sullivan, Head of Technology and Digital Promotion at NNR Global Logistics USA, is a dynamic logistics leader and digital transformation advocate committed to reshaping the industry through innovation, education, and strategic technology integration. With a global perspective and a passion for mentoring future leaders, he drives NNR’s digital roadmap—overseeing critical systems like ERP, TMS, CRM, customer portals, and connectivity infrastructure. Backed by a rich background in communications, teaching, and cross-cultural experience, Mac brings both creativity and pragmatism to solving complex logistics challenges. He is all set to share his insights on What Would Malcolm McLean Do?—a call for pragmatic, bold thinkers to focus on real-world solutions in today’s evolving logistics landscape.

He is all set to share his candid and thought-provoking views on how fragmentation, media noise, short-term greed, and a lack of experienced interdisciplinary talent are causing the logistics and transportation industry to squander a once-in-a-generation opportunity. Drawing from academic insights, historical context, and personal experiences, Mac Sullivan will present tangible actions that companies, professionals, and students can take to drive meaningful progress and innovation in the logistics sector. While his research centers on freight forwarding, Mac encourages participation from across the industry as he leads a call to action—before the momentum and funding sparked by COVID-19 and the digitalization surge dissipate.

1. Fragmentation, media frenzy, greed, attention deficiency and simply not enough "smart" and experienced interdisciplinary individual(s) causing logistics and transportation opportunity of a generation to be wasted.
 

2. in this presentation, Mac Sullivan will cover a mix of academic, historical, and personal takeaways on potential tangible actions that companies, professionals and students could take to move the needle towards a better future of the logistics industry.
 

3. Mac's research and focus is primarily on freight forwarding, so he will be referencing mostly cases from this discipline however welcomes all to participate, discuss and summarize a call to action before the last of the Covid-19 / Digitalization dollars and interest fades away.