News

Dave Cruz has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program as a mentor! He brings a unique blend of military precision and corporate supply chain leadership, with an impressive career spanning both public service and private industry. As Vice President of Business Development and Managed Transportation Solutions for Red Classic Transport, Dave leads teams that optimize supply chains for Coca-Cola Consolidated Incorporated and external customers. His experience includes roles at Otto Environmental Systems and SABIC Innovative Plastics, progressing through manufacturing, S&OP, and logistics positions. Dave's foundation was built during 25 years as a Supply Officer in the U.S. Navy, developing the disciplined approach that defines his leadership today. With an M.S. from the Naval Post Graduate School and a B.S. in Management Science from USC, he combines academic rigor with real-world expertise, making him exceptionally qualified to mentor the next generation of supply chain professionals.

Quinn, a sophomore at Stevens Institute of Technology majoring in Mechanical Engineering, has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program! We're excited to support Quinn as he explores his interests, strengthens his leadership skills, and prepares for his continued academic journey. With the guidance of a mentor, he'll have the opportunity to build meaningful connections and gain new perspectives to help shape his academic and professional growth.

James has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program as a mentor! He brings a unique blend of financial acumen and operational expertise, with a background in banking and accounting before transitioning into supply chain operations and planning. With over 25 years at Coca-Cola Consolidated, including 18 years dedicated to supply chain excellence, James has developed a comprehensive understanding of how financial strategy intersects with operational execution.

Sarah, an active CPA with diverse industry experience, has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program as a mentor! With extensive expertise in corporate accounting and finance, including previous roles in financial controlling at major public companies like Dell Technologies and Duke Energy Corporation as well as smaller European family-owned businesses, Sarah brings invaluable knowledge in financial management and cross-industry operations. Sarah holds a bachelor's degree in Organizational Psychology and a master's degree in Accountancy from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and is honored to share her wealth of practical knowledge and help guide the next generation of finance and accounting professionals.

Donte Blakey is a Senior Manager of Business Intelligence at Coca-Cola Consolidated with over a decade of experience in data analytics and SAP systems. He previously held roles at Amazon Web Services as a Global Technical Program Manager and spent seven years at Under Armour in logistics and BI positions. Donte holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Economics from Towson University and specializes in translating business requirements into technical solutions that drive data-driven decision making.

Charles has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program as a mentor! He brings a wealth of logistics expertise built over 25 years of dedicated service with Maersk, one of the world's leading logistics companies. Throughout his distinguished career, Charles has gained comprehensive experience across multiple critical areas including operations management, labor relations, contract compliance, and system implementation. His deep understanding of logistics operations from various perspectives, combined with his long-term commitment to excellence at a global logistics leader, positions him perfectly to guide mentees through the complexities of modern supply chain and logistics management.

We're excited to announce that Chris, Owner and President of C3 Media, Inc., has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program as a mentor! With over 30 years of experience in strategic marketing, business development, and customer engagement, Chris brings invaluable expertise to support aspiring marketing professionals. Chris has successfully led C3 Media, Inc.'s growth through innovative campaigns, operational efficiency, and lasting client partnerships. His background includes key roles with industry leaders like Clear Channel Radio and Ticketmaster Florida, where he consistently delivered results and drove revenue growth. He also serves as a member of the SetFire Advisory Board, further demonstrating his commitment to supporting business growth and innovation. Holding a BBA in Marketing from Iowa State University, Chris is known for his results-oriented mindset and commitment to excellence. Through this mentorship opportunity, participants will gain insights from a seasoned professional who has navigated the evolving marketing landscape and built successful campaigns throughout his distinguished career.

Jim Mentone has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program as a mentor! He brings more than 25 years of leadership experience in logistics, distribution, and manufacturing operations. Throughout his career, he has earned recognition for transforming operational processes, developing high-performance teams, and implementing data-driven strategies that optimize cost efficiency, service delivery, and regulatory compliance.

Gautam has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program as a mentor! He brings a powerful combination of analytical expertise and strategic thinking to supply chain operations, with a proven track record of driving enterprise-wide process improvements and performance optimization. With extensive experience leading innovative cost-saving initiatives and a strong foundation in business analysis and solution design, Gautam excels at transforming complex operational challenges into streamlined processes. His expertise spans process mapping, KPI development, reporting & analytics, and Six Sigma methodologies, making him uniquely positioned to guide mentees in developing both analytical rigor and strategic perspective in supply chain management.

Sophia, a sophomore at Vanderbilt University majoring in Chemical Engineering, has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program! We're excited to support Sophia as she explores her interests, strengthens her leadership skills, and prepares for her continued academic journey. With the guidance of a mentor, she'll have the opportunity to build meaningful connections and gain new perspectives to help shape her academic and professional growth.

Danika, a senior at the University of Michigan majoring in Business Administration, has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program! We're excited to support Danika as she explores her interests, strengthens her leadership skills, and prepares for life after college. With the guidance of a mentor, she'll have the opportunity to build meaningful connections and gain new perspectives to help shape her academic and professional growth.

Dami, a sophomore at the University of Cincinnati majoring in Mechanical Engineering with minors in Mathematics and Project Management, has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program! We're excited to connect Dami with a mentor who can help guide his academic journey and explore diverse career opportunities in engineering and project leadership. Through this mentorship, Dami will have the chance to build meaningful professional connections and receive valuable insights as he develops his technical expertise and management skills for his future career.