Jeff Barland

With over 30 years of leadership experience spanning retail, distribution, and manufacturing sectors, Jeff has built a deep well of expertise across end-to-end supply chains. Before joining UTK’s Haslam College, Jeff taught operations management, supply chain, project management, and business analytics online for the University of Washington and Arkansas Tech University. A passionate advocate for corporate social responsibility and supply chain knowledge sharing, Jeff is actively engaged in mentoring professionals and fostering connections between industry and academia. 

DeAnna Harner

With over 25 years of experience leading transformation in industry, DeAnna Harner brings her unique dual lens to today’s challenges, having led from the inside and now advising from the outside. Her career spans leadership roles at global brands including Sysco, Comcast, Continental Airlines, automotive distributor and manufacturers, and Avanade (an Accenture company).

DeAnna currently serves as US executive supply chain and AI strategist across manufacturing, CPG, and retail industries. She specializes in partnering with organizations to modernize operations, unlock performance, and accelerate business impact through AI, automation, and lean practices.
As a former board member of ASCM Houston and adjunct professor focused on supply chain and AI, DeAnna has been featured in a podcast and publication discussing Tariff Navigator, a groundbreaking approach enabling companies to avoid revenue erosion due trade and economic disruptions.