Ryder Leaders Dominate Supply & Demand Chain Executive’s 2025 Pros to Know Awards
Ryder System, Inc. (NYSE: R) proudly celebrates its supply chain leaders who have been recognized among the distinguished winners of the 2025 Pros to Know Awards by Supply & Demand Chain Executive. This prestigious recognition highlights professionals making a significant impact in supply chain management by driving innovation, operational excellence, and transformative strategies.
For 2025, executives have swept accolades across three key categories in the Pros to Know list. The awards honor innovators, forward-thinking leaders, and rising stars whose contributions serve as a blueprint for others striving to leverage the supply chain as a competitive advantage. This year’s distinguished honorees include Cherie Brinkerhoff, Kevin Askew, and Sandy Hodes, each recognized for their leadership, vision, and contributions to advancing supply chain excellence and innovation.
Recognizing Pioneers in Supply Chain Leadership
Today’s supply chain professionals are not just leaders within their respective fields; they are catalysts of change, paving the way for more resilient, efficient, and technology-driven supply chain ecosystems. The professionals recognized in the 2025 Pros to Know Awards have demonstrated their ability to innovate, transform, and execute strategies that redefine industry standards.
Marina Mayer, editor-in-chief of Food Logistics and Supply & Demand Chain Executive and co-founder of the Women in Supply Chain Forum, underscored the significance of this year’s winners, stating,
“Many of today’s supply chain pros are more than just leaders within their space; they’re true pioneers of change. This year’s list of winners really pushed the boundaries in all facets: creating, implementing, transforming, innovating, reinventing, and collaborating. They executed on all fronts, over-delivering and over-performing. They are true professionals to know in the supply chain space.”
This recognition reinforces s commitment to fostering a culture of leadership and continuous improvement, ensuring that its supply chain solutions remain at the forefront of the industry.
Ryder’s Distinguished Honorees in the 2025 Pros to Know Awards
Cherie Brinkerhoff: Leaders in Excellence Award
Position: Senior Vice President of Supply Chain Operations
Cherie Brinkerhoff is recognized in the Leaders in Excellence category for her strategic leadership in s retail, technology, and healthcare verticals. A proven industry leader, Cherie has played a critical role in overseeing and optimizing ’s extensive warehousing and transportation operations. Her expertise in supply chain transformation has led to groundbreaking initiatives that have significantly enhanced efficiency and visibility for customers.
Most recently, Cherie and her team spearheaded the transformation of a major hospital network’s supply chain to a self-distribution model. This initiative provided the healthcare organization with:
- 100% inventory control
- Real-time end-to-end visibility
- Improved fill rates and on-time delivery
- Maximized efficiency in operations
Beyond her operational impact, Cherie is also a passionate advocate for workforce development. She plays a key role in the Ryder Women’s Leadership Forum and supports the company’s internal internship program designed to mentor future supply chain engineers. Her dedication to empowering the next generation of supply chain professionals continues to have a lasting impact on the industry.
Kevin Askew: Top Transportation Innovator
Position: Vice President of Transportation Execution and Strategy
Kevin Askew has been recognized as a Top Transportation Innovator for his contributions to operational excellence and the transformation of Ryder’s dedicated transportation solutions (DTS) business. With a keen focus on optimizing efficiency and streamlining operations, Kevin has played an integral role in implementing the Flex operating model—an initiative designed to:
- Enhance driver and asset sharing capabilities
- Reduce idle capacity
- Increase overall productivity
Kevin’s leadership extends beyond transportation strategy; he also oversees enterprise-wide continuous improvement initiatives. As Chair of Ryder’s DTS Functional Excellence Board and an active member of the company’s AI Center of Excellence, he collaborates with multiple departments, including fleet management solutions, business intelligence, brokerage, and transportation management. His efforts in piloting new automation technologies have been instrumental in enhancing Ryder’s transportation capabilities, making operations more efficient and customer-centric.
Sandy Hodes: Top Procurement Pro
Position: Chief Procurement and Corporate Development Officer
Sandy Hodes has been honored as a Top Procurement Pro for his outstanding leadership in procurement and supply chain management. With over 20 years at Ryder, Sandy has been pivotal in managing an annual procurement budget of approximately $8 billion. His strategic approach to supplier relationship management, cost optimization, and compliance has solidified Ryder’s reputation as a leader in procurement efficiency and innovation.
A key initiative led by Sandy includes the restructuring of Ryder’s procurement operations to incorporate automated processes. This transformation has resulted in:
- Enhanced reporting and analytics
- A dedicated team focused on supplier performance management
- Greater transparency and agility in procurement functions
His ability to drive cost-effective procurement solutions while ensuring high industry standards has directly contributed to Ryder’s overall success and the value delivered to its customers.
Driving Innovation and Excellence in Supply Chain Management
The achievements of Cherie Brinkerhoff, Kevin Askew, and Sandy Hodes highlight Ryder’s ongoing commitment to supply chain innovation and excellence. Their leadership and strategic initiatives continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in transportation, logistics, and procurement, reinforcing Ryder’s position as an industry leader.
Steve Sensing, President of Supply Chain Solutions at Ryder, praised the honorees for their dedication and impact, stating:
“From Cherie’s work optimizing a 14-hospital network to Kevin’s operational efficiency initiatives and Sandy’s procurement innovations, their achievements not only improve Ryder’s operational performance but also enhance the value we deliver to our customers every day. Ryder’s people are determined, trustworthy, and demonstrate integrity in everything they do.”
The Future of Supply Chain Leadership at Ryder
As the supply chain industry continues to evolve, the role of dynamic leadership and forward-thinking professionals becomes increasingly crucial. The 2025 Pros to Know Awards serve as a testament to the individuals who are making a meaningful impact and setting new benchmarks for success in supply chain management.
Ryder remains committed to fostering a culture of innovation, operational excellence, and leadership development. Through continuous investment in cutting-edge technology, strategic partnerships, and talent development programs, Ryder ensures that its customers benefit from best-in-class solutions designed to meet the evolving demands of the industry.
With visionary leaders like Cherie Brinkerhoff, Kevin Askew, and Sandy Hodes, Ryder is well-positioned to navigate the future of supply chain management, delivering unparalleled value and efficiency for its customers worldwide.
