Dr. James Kirby Easterling worked in progressive supply chain leadership and executive roles with multinational companies for over 20 years, including long-term international assignments in both Japan and Singapore with Corning Incorporated, before transitioning into academia in 2014, where he led the establishment of the Global Supply Chain Management program at Eastern Kentucky University. Easterling holds Bachelor of Business Administration degrees in both Economics and Accounting as well as an MBA from Eastern Kentucky University, a Master of Supply Chain Management degree from Pennsylvania State University, and a Doctor of Business Administration degree in Information Systems and Operations Management from the University of Florida. Easterling is an Associate Professor of Global Supply Chain Management at Eastern Kentucky University, where he has received the Beta Gamma Sigma Professor of the Year Award (2022), the Jack L. Dyer Excellence in Teaching Award (2024) for the College of Business, and the faculty Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Award (2025) for the entire university. Dr. Easterling’s work consistently reflects a commitment to academic innovation, student success, and advancing the practice and understanding of global supply chain management.