Presidents Corner

On behalf of our membership and the Board of Directors, I’d like to welcome you to the leading source for supply management information in the Lehigh Valley.

Our vision is to be the Lehigh Valley leader in educational and networking opportunities for Supply Chain Management professionals and their employers. In order to accomplish this vision, we have to be focused, intentional, visible, credible, and committed to nine key goals. Resources are tighter than ever and employers expect dollars to be invested, not just spent, on educational opportunities that will benefit their organizations and create a real impact on the bottom line and long term health of the organization. As a result, the Board has to be focused and intentional about educational programming and the quality and format of networking opportunities.

The economy has placed a strain on all organizations, but this is particularly true of associations and other professional development organizations. In this environment, the visibility of the NAPM-LV is of paramount importance. Our efforts to build credibility as a leader on supply management topics and the visibility we create through a new relationship with the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce and a renewed focus on marketing through our web site and social media will have an immediate impact.

Further, we have to be committed, specifically, to the following goals:

  • Increasing member awareness regarding Supply Chain Certification opportunities
  • Providing ample opportunities for members to obtain CEU’s
  • Providing current relevant topics of professional and organizational interest
  • Providing opportunities for networking with other Supply Chain Management professionals
  • Identifying opportunities to become engaged with Lehigh Valley businesses
  • Making NAPM-LV more visible to the Lehigh Valley business community
  • Reinforcing the use of ISM resources
  • Increasing NAPM-LV membership by 10% each year
  • Developing leadership sustainability at the Board and committee level

This is certainly ambitious, but not new to a profession known for setting ambitious supply chain goals and objectives. The impact you have on your organization is significant and vitally important. We hope to the same impact collectively, on your professional development and education.

If there is anything we can do for you, please let us know. We are ready to serve.

Best Regards,

Mark R. Ironside