John Kent, a clinical assistant professor and assistant department chair in the Department of Supply Chain Management, has been named director of the Supply Chain Management Research Center at the Sam M. Walton College of Business.

The announcement was made by Terry Esper, associate professor of supply chain management and executive director of the Supply Chain Management Research Center. "Dr. Kent brings many years of experience in an academic setting as well as the industry perspective so critical to this role," Esper said. 

Kent joined the Walton College in August 2014 as clinical assistant professor and assistant chair for the supply chain management department. He earned a doctorate in logistics and transportation from the University of Tennessee, an M.B.A. in international management from the University of Dallas and a bachelor of science in management and computer science from Henderson State University.

Kent has taught several undergraduate and graduate supply chain classes, including Logistics Provider and Carrier Management, Supply Chain Strategy, Retail Supply Chain Analysis and a special topics course. Much of Kent's research involves studying the best personality and leadership traits of successful fleet managers. His work has been published in Journal of Business Logistics, Transportation Journal and International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, among other journals.

The Supply Chain Management Research Center was formed in 1996 by Walton College faculty who recognized the importance of linking the college to leading logistics, transportation and supply chain industry practitioners. The primary focus areas of the center are connecting member companies with students, faculty research, thought leadership and executive education. Today the outreach center is aligned with the Department of Supply Chain Management, which was created in 2011.