Home Depot Co-Founder and Manufacturing Executive to Keynote CSCMP's Annual Conference in Atlanta

LOMBARD, Ill., July 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Arthur Blank, co-founder of The Home Depot and owner and chairman of the National Football League's (NFL) Atlanta Falcons, along with Shahid Khan, owner of Flex-N-Gate Corporation and the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars, will be the opening general session speakers at the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals' (CSCMP) 2012 Annual Global Conference, September 30-October 3, in Atlanta, Georgia. The session will be presented in an interview-style format with Michael A. Regan, president, TranzAct Technologies, Inc. serving as host.

In the keynote titled Building Your Dream, One Brick at a Time—The Power of Leadership, Perseverance, and Determination, Blank and Khan will share their insights into how they built their companies from humble beginnings into market leaders in their respective industries; the values and management philosophies they initiated; and, how they set their organizations apart from the competition.

Arthur Blank and his partner, Bernie Marcus, founded The Home Depot in 1978. Today, it is the world's largest home-improvement retailer, with $68 billion in sales and 2,200 stores. The company's business model not only sparked a retail revolution, it proved to be transferable to other industries.

Shahid Khan emigrated from Pakistan to the US at the age of 16. He put himself through college working at Flex-N-Gate, an automobile manufacturing company. He later purchased the company with a small loan and some personal savings. Last year, Flex-N-Gate employed more than 12,000 people and took in $3 billion in revenue. In January 2012, Khan purchased the Jacksonville Jaguars.

"We are thrilled to have Arthur Blank and Shahid Khan as our keynote speakers this year," said Rick Blasgen, CSCMP president and chief executive officer. "These pioneers have genuine rags-to-riches stories to share, with unique perspectives on how to turn dreams and ideas into realistic career and business goals. Their presentation will inspire everyone."

CSCMP's Annual Global Conference is the largest of its kind for the supply chain management profession. The event will host more than 3,000 practitioners, educators, and thought leaders from around the world. More than 100 educational sessions are planned.

Founded in 1963, the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals is the leading worldwide professional association dedicated to education, research, and the advancement of the supply chain management profession.

SOURCE Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals