DSC Logistics, an integrated logistics and supply chain management company headquartered in Des Plaines, Ill., has recently presented its 2011 “Thinkers & Movers” Award to a family representing two generations of outstanding supply chain leaders.

The 2011 honoree was Dr. Donald Bowersox, a longtime professor of logistics and supply chain management at Michigan State University (MSU), as well as a well-known author, speaker, and industry leader. Included in the award, honoring Dr. Bowersox’s leadership, were his two sons – Ed Bowersox, Senior Global Director, Logistics & Supply Chain, Kimberly-Clark Professional, and John Bowersox, Manager, PA Distribution, 3PL Relationships for Kohler Co.

The award, created in 2009 to recognize individuals and companies whose innovative leadership has resulted in ground-breaking supply chain understanding and practices, was presented at an event on Oct. 3, 2011, in conjunction with the annual conference of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) in Philadelphia.

The two Bowersox brothers accepted the award for their father, who passed away on July 4, after a career that spanned more than four decades and left a legacy of transformative supply chain thinking. Both Ed and John Bowersox joined the profession after graduating from MSU.

“With their continued efforts toward increasing the strategic potential and the collaborative nature of supply chain management, the Bowersox family is a true ‘Supply Chain Driven Family,’” said Ann Drake, CEO, DSC.

When Dr. Bowersox first joined the faculty at MSU, the field in which he would become a recognized leader was known as “physical distribution.” He authored the first book on the subject, “Physical Distribution Management: Logistics Problems of the Firm” in 1968. He was also honored with the school’s first lifetime alumni achievement award in 2002.

In addition to his academic career, Dr. Bowersox continued to expand understanding of the field by authoring 17 books, including the popular textbook, “Supply Chain Management,” and more than 250 articles on marketing, transportation, and logistics.

In 2008, he co-authored (with Nicholas LaHowchic) what is considered a visionary book entitled “Start Pulling Your Chain! - Leading Responsive Supply Chain Transformation.” Dr. Bowersox was also a founder of the National Council of Physical Distribution Management (NCPDM), which was renamed the Council of Logistics Management and is today known as CSCMP (Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals). He served as the organization’s second president and received its Distinguished Service Award in 1966.

Ed Bowersox graduated from MSU in 1981 and has been with Kimberly-Clark for more than 30 years in a variety of logistics and operations leadership roles in both the consumer and B2B businesses. In his current position, he is responsible for coordinating logistics/supply chain lean transformation initiatives focused on reducing waste, improving efficiency, and effectively supporting customer requirements. He has been a speaker at past annual CSCMP and WERC conferences.

John Bowersox graduated from MSU in 2006 with a degree in political science- pre law. John’s supply chain vision was sharpened under his father’s tutelage at MSU, while working as a student research assistant in the Supply Chain Management department. John is currently responsible for the management of Kohler’s contract logistics operations and has had previously roles in procurement and customer service. He is an active member of CSCMP and a charter member of the CSCMP-Young Professionals Committee.

Previous recipients of the “Thinkers & Movers” Award include:

2009 – Ralph Drayer, former chief logistics officer of Procter & Gamble, and Dr. Nancy Nix, executive director of the EMBA program and associate professor, supply chain practice in the Neeley School of Business at Texas Christian University.

2010 – Daan Delen, president and CEO of Reynolds American, Inc, and Nicholas LaHowchic, author and former logistics executive for Limited Brands and Becton Dickinson.