Jose Manuel Velarde is an experienced supply chain professional with over twenty years of experience whose passion is to develop the next generation of supply chain leaders. Over the years Jose has held positions of increasing responsibility in procurement, category management, logistics, operations, strategic planning, project management, and business development in the chemical, mining, manufacturing, construction, and energy sectors. His professional experience comes from leading and supporting global supply chain projects, CAPEX projects, and organizational supply chain transformations in the US and other twenty-one countries with global companies like Huntsman Corporation, KBR, Centrica, FMC Corporation, and CEMEX. Jose is an active member in the local supply chain associations in Houston. Jose also routinely volunteers his time to serve as mentor to supply chain and business students in the Houston area. Jose is currently an adjunct professor of supply chain at the University of Houston and at North American University where he teaches courses in global supply chain, operations, distribution channels, procurement, capstone projects, and business. Jose has a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from The University of Texas at El Paso, a Master of Business Administration from Houston Baptist University, and has completed graduate courses leading towards the degree of Master of Science in Supply Chain Management from Michigan State University. Jose is also a third-year doctoral student at The University of Texas at Tyler where he is currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy degree in HRD with a concentration in Organizational Development and Change. Jose is a Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM), a Certified Professional in Supplier Diversity (CPSD), a Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), and is Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM).