November 13, 2007
General Manager of Norfolk Southern's Modalgistics receives the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce Logistics Professional of the
Year award
Chamber Honors Top Logistics Performers as Metro Atlanta Ranks
As Third Most Logistics-Friendly Metro in the U.S.
ATLANTA, GA. – Metro Atlanta ranked third this year behind Kansas City and St. Louis as the most
logistics-friendly metro in the United States, according to Expansion Management magazine.
Expansion Management is a business magazine for executives of companies actively looking to
expand or relocate their facilities. Its recently released 2007 "Logistics Quotient" rankings
identify the most logistics-friendly metros in the United States.
"Site selection is really a competition between cities," said Bill King, editor of Expansion
Management. "Metro areas that offer a broad range of logistics-supporting infrastructure —
ground, air, water/sea and rail — have a major advantage over their rivals when it comes to
attracting and retaining manufacturing and distribution facilities."
Metro Atlanta has the fifth-largest concentration of logistics companies and employment in the
country, with more than 103,000 jobs. In fact, more than 90 percent of the top 25 third-party
logistics service providers have operations in Atlanta.
"The logistics industry drives metro Atlanta's economy," said Sam A. Williams, president of the
Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. "With its superior rail, road and air infrastructure, Atlanta
continues to serve as a major gateway to U.S. markets. The logistics network is a primary
competitive advantage."
Metro Atlanta continues to be a source for logistics talent and innovation that helps attract and
grow companies. The Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce recently awarded the first-ever
Logistics Professional and Logistics Company of the Year awards to Michael Miller of
Norfolk Southern and 3PD, Inc. during a luncheon at the Annual Logistics Forum.
"It is great to be able to recognize outstanding companies and individuals within Atlanta’s large
and active logistics community," said Mark Holifield, senior vice president of supply chain at The
Home Depot and vice chair of the Atlanta Logistics Innovation Council.
This is the first year for the awards, which were created to recognize outstanding individuals and
companies in metro Atlanta whose actions have advanced the state of the logistics industry and
promoted its continued growth.
Williams added: "I think both winners -- 3PD and Michael Miller of Norfolk Southern -- truly
demonstrate the dynamic growth and world-class logistics professionals we have in Atlanta."
Logistics Company of the Year, 3PD, was founded in 2001 and is one of the country's largest
and only national providers of last-mile delivery and logistics services. The last-mile delivery is
the final leg of delivering connectivity from a provider to a customer. The company makes nearly
5 million home, business and job site deliveries per year via a national network that includes 500
locations and 1,500 delivery teams. Atlanta-based private equity firm Arcapita Inc. is one of the
principal owners and investors in this fast-growing company. Finalists for Logistics Company of
the Year included Forward Air and UTI.
Logistics Professional of the Year, Michael O. Miller, is general manager for Norfolk
Southern's Modalgistics supply chain organization. Formed six years ago, Modalgistics designs,
implements and manages supply chain services that enhance and extend Norfolk Southern's core
transportation offering.
Previously, Miller held both managerial and line-level positions within the industrial engineering
group at Norfolk Southern. Prior to Norfolk Southern, Miller worked for Georgia-Pacific
Corporation as manager of process improvement logistics for the building products division, and
prior to Georgia-Pacific he worked for Roadway Express as a field engineer and division
engineering coordinator.
Miller is very involved in Atlanta's logistics community. He is a member of the Council for
Supply Chain Management Professionals, a participant in the Atlanta Logistics Roundtable, an
advisory board member of the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce's Logistics Innovation Council, a
member of the Strategic Supply Chain Management Forum, a corporate participant on the Atlanta
Regional Commission and a steering committee member of the ARC's Freight Advisory Task
Force.
Finalists for Logistics Professional of the Year included Lee Hardeman, president and founder of
Lee Hardeman Customs Broker; and Chris Norek, senior partner of Chain Connectors.
The Annual Logistics Forum is hosted jointly by the Atlanta Logistics Innovation Council and the
Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals Atlanta Roundtable.
The Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce – with our 4,000 member companies that collectively
employ more than 700,000 workers – is a catalyst for a vibrant metro region. Over the last 140
years, the Chamber has been bringing the region’s leaders together to tackle the issues that
matter most to the business community: quality jobs and quality of life.
Atlanta Logistics Innovation Council – www.logisticsatlanta.com
