Steve Elkins Joins Penn State Smeal Center for Supply Chain Research

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State Smeal Center for Supply Chain Research (CSCR) is pleased to welcome Steve Elkins as the center’s newest education program specialist. Elkins will support key initiatives of the center as it continues to evolve its programs.

“We are pleased to have Steve join our team at CSCR,” said Donna Palumbo, CSCR executive director. “His depth of experience in military logistics, combined with his program management skills will help to continue to expand our impact. Steve is going to be a great asset to our supply chain community.”

The center’s unique position bridging academia and industry initially attracted Elkins to the role.

“I love the idea of linking the next generation of supply chain leadership with real-world practitioners and being a part of the thought leadership to develop leading-edge supply chain initiatives,” said Elkins.

Elkins brings more than 38 years of experience as an Army logistician, serving both in uniform and as a senior logistics manager. His career took him to numerous countries and locations across the United States, including key positions in Afghanistan, Kuwait, Korea, Germany and Greece. He served with historic Army units such as the 82nd Airborne Division, 2nd Infantry Division and 4th Infantry Division.

“It was such an honor to serve with and support soldiers with varying backgrounds from across our nation,” he said.

The transition from military logistics to academic supply chain research represents an exciting opportunity for Elkins.

“As a lifelong supply chain practitioner, I am excited to work at the point where the theoretical thought leaders bring depth and opportunity to our corporate sponsorship and the business world,” he said.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Elkins is a jumpmaster and master parachutist, an open-water SCUBA diver and a volunteer high school running coach. He holds two master’s degrees, one in logistics management and the other in strategic studies from the Army War College; and in his spare time, Elkins enjoys exploring historical sites, both great and small, with his wife. Elkins is a father of four and has four grandchildren.