Spring 2025 Scholarship Winners Demonstrate Impacts of Coupled Power Sources, Regenerative Supply Chains, and AI Integration on the Future of Logistics
EL SEGUNDO, Calif.
Extensiv (formerly 3PL Central) — delivering omnichannel software solutions for warehouse, inventory, and order management — today announced the winners of its Spring 2025 Supply Chain Scholarship as well as its continued investment in growing industry talent with the opening of the Fall 2025 scholarship submission window. Extensiv designs its scholarship program to foster interest in the future of logistics for students in undergraduate and graduate supply chain management, logistics, and operations management programs.
"When fifty-seven percent (57%) of third-party logistics (3PLs) providers report plans to increase staffing in 2025, it underscores the necessity for investing in the development of skills within the logistics workforce, particularly its future leaders," stated Aaron Stead, CEO at Extensiv. "Extensiv created this scholarship to encourage creative thinking and nurture new viewpoints while also developing the skills the supply chain will need to evolve. Cade, Andrew, and Leith showed a keen understanding of the possibilities of changing conventional logistics processes with new technologies. We are proud to help them on their supply chain journey."
Since 2020, Extensiv has given over $25,000 to scholarship winners and finalists who have demonstrated innovation and creativity around advancements in warehousing or inventory management. Previous winners have advanced thinking around the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and sensors and quantum route optimization in the supply chain.
Scholarship Winners
This year's winner of the $2,500 Spring 2025 Supply Chain Scholarship is Cade Weatherbie, a student at Cal Maritime, whose thoughtful essay on the future of supply chain management through the use of alternate coupled power sources in maritime operations illustrates more "green" and sustainable options for global supply chain efficiency which relies heavily on ocean freight.
With ocean cargo accounting for 17% of the world's greenhouse gases, Cade suggests a better fuel source will lead to a more sustainable supply chain. "When the words green and sustainable are heard, we think of the new and upcoming electric engines. From pressure washers to semi-trucks, electric-powered engines are changing the game. They "solve" the fossil fuel crisis. The benefits are endless when looked at from a smaller output engine standpoint, but when considered in maritime vessels, it just hasn't found the same reputation."
Cade concludes that while fully electric ships are not suitable for maintaining efficient maritime operations, “We may find that the source we've been trying to acquire isn't as sustainable as we think. The idea of coupled power sources might be the answer we have all been looking for.”
Joining Cade in recognition are runners-up Andrew Schultz from the University of Tennessee Knoxville and Leith Elzie from Great Lakes Maritime Academy. Their nominations focused on the roles regenerative circular supply chains and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) can play in the supply chain, respectively.
About Extensiv
Extensiv, formerly 3PL Central, is a visionary technology leader focused on creating the future of omnichannel fulfillment. We partner with warehouse professionals and entrepreneurial brands to transform their fulfillment operations in the radically changing world of commerce and consumer expectations. Through our unrivaled network of more than 1,500 connected 3PLs and a suite of integrated, cloud-native warehouse management (WMS), order management (OMS), inventory management (IMS), and integration management software, we enable modern merchants and brands to fulfill demand anywhere with superior flexibility and scale without painful platform migrations as they grow. More than 25,000 logistics professionals and thousands of brands trust Extensiv every day to drive commerce at the pace that modern consumers expect. Learn more at www.extensiv.com.