News

Lara has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program as a mentor! She brings over 20 years of strategic finance and operations expertise, currently serving as Director of Revenue Growth Management with The Coca-Cola Company, where she supports bottling operations across the Northeast US. As a seasoned professional, Lara combines analytical rigor with strategic thinking to drive revenue optimization for one of the world's most recognized consumer brands. Her passion for data analytics and strategy makes her uniquely positioned to guide mentees in developing both technical skills and business acumen needed to excel in today's data-driven business environment.

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.

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.

John has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program as a mentor! He brings over 35 years of transformational supply chain leadership, with a proven track record of driving innovation and strategic partnerships across Healthcare and Consumer Packaged Goods. As a business-centric supply chain leader at Johnson & Johnson, Procter & Gamble, and General Electric, John specializes in Supply Chain Innovation, External Manufacturing, and Digital Transformation. In his recent roles at J&J MedTech, he drove groundbreaking initiatives including J&J SupplierHub® which revolutionized collaboration with 1,300 suppliers, and led award-winning projects that earned Gartner Power of the Profession finalist recognition. His eight-year tenure as Senior Director of Strategy & Innovation established him as a leading expert in Alliance Management, where he developed globally adopted strategic partnership playbooks and end-to-end orchestration solutions. With a B.S. in Electrical Engineering, an MBA, and certifications in Alliance Management, Design Thinking, Six Sigma, and LEAN, John combines technical expertise with strategic business acumen to mentor the next generation of supply chain innovators.

Maxwell has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program as a mentor! He brings six years of comprehensive experience across the data landscape, with expertise spanning automation, data visualization, software engineering, and data science that positions him to guide emerging professionals through the evolving world of data. As a versatile data professional, Maxwell's breadth of experience across multiple disciplines within the data space provides him with a unique perspective on how different data functions interconnect and drive business value. His hands-on experience in automation and software engineering, combined with his expertise in data visualization and data science, makes him exceptionally qualified to help mentees understand both the technical foundations and strategic applications of data work.

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.

Sumayah, a freshman at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee majoring in Marketing & Graphic Design, has joined the Sparks Mentorship Program! We're excited to support Sumayah 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.

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.