** Voices of Breakbulk Americas, sponsored by Logiswift **

In this first episode of Voices of Breakbulk Americas, we head to Columbus, Ohio to sit down with Stephen “Spo” Spoljaric, recently named Bechtel Fellow for Supply Chain Logistics – the first person to hold this prestigious title in his field.

Fresh from relocating his family to Ohio for a major semiconductor project, Spo shares his remarkable journey from college intern at a trucking company to becoming one of the industry’s most respected logistics leaders.

What You’ll Learn:

• How a chance meeting with a Jesuit priest launched a logistics career

• The “Three Cs” that define successful logistics professionals: Capable, Commercial awareness, and Communication

• Why Ohio is becoming the “Silicon Heartland” and what it means for project cargo

• Insights into Bechtel’s “engineered logistics” approach and how they’re integrating with engineering from day one

• The evolving role of freight forwarders and LSPs in an AI-driven world

• How the SHIPS Act could transform American maritime logistics

• Why logistics is ultimately a support function – and why that matters

Key Highlights:

• Moving from corporate logistics manager during the pandemic to program management

• The importance of university partnerships and developing the next generation of logistics talent

• Balancing 24/7 connectivity with mental health in our always-on industry

• What to expect at the upcoming 35th anniversary of Breakbulk Americas

Spo also shares candid advice for early-career professionals, discusses the value of taking calculated risks, and explains why sometimes the best call during a disaster shipment isn’t to another logistics expert.

Whether you’re just starting out in project cargo or you’re a seasoned professional, this conversation offers valuable insights into where our industry is heading and how to build a meaningful career in logistics.

This episode is part of our special Voices of Breakbulk Americas series, celebrating 35 years of the industry’s premier event. Register now for Breakbulk Americas, September 30 – October 2 in Houston. https://americas.breakbulk.com/

About Logiswift

Logiswift makes your operations faster and simpler — managing the entire cargo lifecycle in one smart platform. With real end-to-end visibility, you can adapt quickly when things change. Built for project cargo, it’s now even more powerful with its new AI feature.

👉 Visit https://www.logiswift.com/