Dr. Derek Westfall is a globally recognized supply chain thought leader, educator, and strategist, bringing over 36 years of experience in end-to-end supply chain management, innovation, and leadership. As Chairman of the Education and Research Executive Board at VCARE Academy, Dr. Westfall plays a key role in shaping global supply chain education and advancing applied research to solve today’s most complex supply chain challenges.

Dr. Westfall concluded a distinguished 15-year tenure at The Boeing Company, where he served as a Senior Supply Chain Project Manager and was acknowledged across the enterprise as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in supply chain transformation, third-party logistics (3PL), and the SCOR framework. He contributed to the development of SCOR-DS (Supply Chain Operations Reference – Digital Standard), integrating cutting-edge technologies such as blockchain, robotics, and IoT into next-generation frameworks.

His career spans multiple industries and roles, including high-impact positions at PECO, Blount, Intel Corporation, and Boeing, where he consistently demonstrated mastery in S&OP, demand planning, logistics, inventory optimization, and supplier collaboration. Notably, at Blount, he led global demand chain operations for a $600M business with forecast accuracy exceeding 90%, managing $35M in inventory across 13 warehouses worldwide.

A passionate educator, Dr. Westfall has been shaping future supply chain leaders since 2017 as an adjunct professor at Portland State University, and currently serves as a full-time instructor at Oregon State University, where he teaches courses on operations, strategic sourcing, and project management.

Dr. Westfall holds a Doctor of Education in Organizational Change and Leadership from the University of Southern California, a Master’s degree in Supply Chain Management from Penn State University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Management and Operations from Eastern Oregon University. His academic insight is matched by his practical acumen, making him a rare blend of academic rigor and real-world impact.

Dr. Westfall is also the author of the widely acclaimed book, “How to Create a Winning 3PL Partnership”, a practical guide to building high-performance logistics alliances that last. His work has helped countless professionals and organizations navigate the complexities of 3PL selection, SOW development, and long-term vendor success. Dr. Westfall has also spoken at numerous supply chain conferences, as well as being a featured guest on multiple podcasts and webinars around the globe.

Area of Expertise

1. End-to-End Supply Chain Strategy & Optimization

2. Third-Party Logistics (3PL) & Contract Management

3. SCOR & SCOR-DE Framework Implementation

4. Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP)

5. Transformational & Authentic Leadership

6. Demand Planning & Inventory Management

7. Advanced Warehouse & Logistics Design

8. Project Management & Change Leadership

9. RFID and Technology Integration

10. Supplier Relationship Management

11. Academic Curriculum Development & Mentorship