President's Report

Thanks for taking time to read the latest news from the DC Metro ASCM Chapter!

Greetings!

Welcome to Our Fall Newsletter

As we move into the fall season, we want to take a moment to recognize the challenges many of us are facing in our professional lives. The current landscape brings uncertainty to many industries we serve, and we know that changes in policy and regulations are creating new obstacles for supply chain professionals across our region. During times like these, the strength of our community becomes more important than ever. We are here to remind you that you are not alone in navigating these changes.

Our chapter remains committed to being a source of support and connection for every member. In the coming months, we are planning several initiatives designed to help our community thrive, including trying to connect talented professionals with new opportunities and networking events to strengthen the bonds within our field. We believe that by coming together, sharing knowledge, and supporting one another, we can weather any storm and emerge stronger on the other side.

We encourage you to stay engaged with our chapter, attend our events, and reach out if you need assistance or have ideas for how we can better serve you. Your experience, resilience, and expertise are valuable assets to our community. Together, we will continue to find ways to grow, adapt, and support the critical work we do in keeping supply chains moving across Maryland, Virginia, DC, and southern Pennsylvania. Thank you for being part of this community.

Warm Regards,

Gerry

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Upcoming Courses and Events

Don't Forget! You get maintenance points for your ASCM certifications when you attend our events, what a great way to add value to your career!

Did you know?!

We offer on-site training! Choose from ASCM certification courses including CPIM, CSCP, CLTD or we can offer one of the 4 Foundations of Supply Chain Management Courses (Inventory Management, Distribution and Logistics, Operations Planning, or Manufacturing Management). Our instructors will work with you to find a time and format (half-day; full day) that works best for your team. Contact Jessica Flory for more information.

Our Upcoming Events

AI For Everyday Solutions

Approaching Fast! November 11th 2025 - 5:30-8:00 PM - Morgan's American Grill

in New Market, MD

Join Rob Fulcher, Founder of iWAT, for a dinner session exploring how artificial intelligence is transforming the way businesses operate—today and every day. Rob will break down practical use cases, share real-world examples, and offer actionable tips on how to get the most out of tools like ChatGPT, Copilot and other AI platforms.

Rob will cover:
· Business Efficiency with AI
· Real Examples of AI in Action
· Best Practices for Prompting AI

Robert Fulcher is a seasoned technology executive and founder of iWAT, LLC, a consulting firm he has successfully led for over a decade. With more than 25 years of experience in software development, systems integration, and IT leadership, Robert brings a wealth of knowledge and strategic insight to every project. His expertise spans enterprise application architecture, custom software development, and digital transformation initiatives across industries ranging from healthcare and manufacturing to financial services.

Throughout his career, Robert has remained dedicated to aligning technology with business strategy. His work consistently emphasizes usability, process improvement, and scalability, and he maintains a commitment to continuous improvement through emerging technologies and agile practices.
Robert holds a Master of Science in Information Systems and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Information Systems from Shippensburg University’s John L. Grove College of Business. He is passionate about mentoring emerging technologists and sharing his insights at industry events, where his blend of technical depth and business acumen resonates with diverse audiences.

Giving back to the community is very important to us, and we truly value the impact it has on the lives we touch together. This Give-back December, we’re proud to donate supplies for care packages and help assemble them for distribution through our local food bank.

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Chapter News

What have we been up to?

In September, We hosted John Martin for a PDM on Automation, AI, and Strategic Design in a Post-Pandemic World

In October, we hosted Tim Peifley for a PDM on The Anatomy of a Turnaround in Logistics

We would love to see you at a PDM and tell all your friends - Check our linked in page and your email for all of our upcoming meetings!

We Are Looking For Trustees To Join Our Board - Can you Help? - Lonsdale Swimming Pool

We are currently looking for some new board members for our CUVA chapter - We meet monthly around the Greencastle PA area. Some of the perks of being a board member are Dinners, Points toward recertifications, and networking opportunities. If you would be interested, please reach out to [email protected].

In addition, we are always looking for board members in our Baltimore and DC areas as we have members spread all over. Please reach out to [email protected] if you have interest in joining our board.

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APICS WORD OF THE DAY

Advanced Shipping Notice (ASN)

A notification sent by the shipper to the purchasing organization prior to the shipment leaving the facility, which provides the receiver sufficient time to prepare for delivery of the shipment. The ASN is often sent via electronic data interchange (EDI) and includes all relevant shipment details such as item descriptions, quantities, and tracking information.