Dr. John Mentzer dies; was renowned supply chain educator, author

Dr. John T. (Tom) Mentzer, one of the nation's most prominent supply chain educators and authors, died Friday after a long illness.

Dr. Mentzer was the Harry J. and Vivienne R. Bruce Chair of Excellence in Business in the Department of Marketing and Logistics at the University of Tennessee. He wrote eight books as well as more than 190 papers and articles. Dr. Mentzer was recognized in 1996 as one of the five most prolific authors in the Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, and in 1999 as the most prolific author in the Journal of Business Logistics. He was awarded the Academy of Marketing Science Outstanding Marketing Teacher Award in 2001.

Dr. Mentzer's research focused on the contribution of marketing and logistics to customer satisfaction and strategic advantage in supply chains; the application of computer decision models to marketing, logistics, and forecasting; and the management of the sales forecasting function.

Dr. Mentzer served on the editorial review boards of numerous journals and served as editor of the Systems Section of the Journal of Business Logistics. He was president of the Council of Logistics Management (now known as the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals) as well as president of the board of directors of the Sheth Foundation. He also served on the board of directors of the American Marketing Association Foundation, and as president and chair of the board of governors of the Academy of Marketing Science. He was a Distinguished Fellow of the Academy of Marketing Science—a distinction granted to fewer than 40 scholars worldwide.

Dr. Mentzer was the 2004 recipient of the Council of Logistics Management Distinguished Service Award. He was named one of DC Velocity's annual "Rainmakers" in 2005, reflecting his distinguished work in furthering the supply chain the profession.

Dr. Mentzer conducted numerous programs and workshops for various segments of the business and government communities. He served as a consultant for over 100 corporations and government agencies, as well as on the boards of directors of several corporations.