DC Velocity - July 2017

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From his job description, you might reasonably assume that Hobey Strawn is a lifelong logistics guy, but he actually started out in engineering—a background he says has served him well when it comes to carrying out his current responsibilities. Strawn is vice president of operations for the Americas at TTI Inc., a Fort Worth, Texas-based distributor of electronic components with over 100 locations worldwide and 13 major distribution centers globally. In his present position, he is responsible for the company’s distribution operations and logistics functions, including all activities related to receiving, inventory management, order fulfillment, shipping, transportation/freight, and trade compliance.

A proven leader with a long track record of accom-
plishments in logistics, manufacturing, and engi-
neering, Strawn has overseen a number of complex
capital-intensive projects, including construction of
a new distribution center and the introduction of
new semiconductor manufacturing processes. He is
also proficient at change management, having imple-
mented large-scale programs like Lean manufacturing
and numerous Six Sigma improvement
projects.

Strawn holds a Master of Business
Administration degree from the
University of Texas at Arlington, a
Bachelor of Science degree in electrical
engineering from the University of Texas
at Austin, and a Bachelor of Arts degree
in physical science from Southwestern
University in Georgetown, Texas. He
currently serves on the advisory board for the Texas
Christian University (TCU) business school’s Center
for Supply Chain Innovation.
Q Lots of kids want to be firefighters or pilots when they grow up, but no one starts out wanting to
be a logistician. How did you wind up in the logistics
profession?
A That’s a great question, because you are right about that. My educational background was ini-
tially in electrical engineering. I was an electrical engi-
neer—I worked in products, quality, and ultimately
process engineering because that was where my inter-
ests lay. I got an M.B.A. to learn more of the business
Hobey Strawn
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