October 12, 2021

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND AND UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS TEAMS SHARE INTERMODAL CASE STUDY WIN

CALVERTON, MD (October 12, 2021) – For the first time since its inception, IANA’s annual student case competition resulted in a tie. Undergraduate teams from the University of Maryland and the University of North Texas shared a win in this year’s IANA Academic Challenge that was held in conjunction with the University of North Florida. The competition was again held virtually as it was last year. Judges for the competition were members of IANA’s Board of Directors: Shelli Austin, InTek Freight & Logistics; Rob Cannizzaro, Virginia International Terminals; Doug Hoehn, Milestone Equipment Holdings; Maryclare Kenney, CSX Transportation; and Kevin Lhotak, Reliable Transportation Specialists.

Participating from the University of Maryland were Dawson Jones, Devin Streight and Steven Ioannidis. The University of North Texas team members were Seth Williams, Rayann Nasser and Cassandra Keenan. This year’s case study focused on creating a supply chain strategy for a fictitious, family-owned footwear company, while considering growth potential, distribution options, and strong branding ties to the owners.

The other competing IANA scholarship schools were California State University Maritime Academy, College of Charleston, Georgia Southern University, SUNY Maritime Academy, and the Universities of North Florida and Wisconsin at Superior. The competition supports each institution’s curriculum designed to educate students on intermodal transportation and encourage them to join the industry following graduation.

Suman Niranjan, Ph.D., assistant professor of Logistics at UNT shared, “Students participating in this competition have undoubtedly gained valuable skills, such as, critical thinking, problem solving, public speaking, developing solutions under time constrained situations and team skills. It was an invaluable experience for UNT students.”

University of Maryland Professor Thomas Corsi added, “The overall experience of the case competition is highly rewarding and has created an enthusiasm among my students to pursue careers in intermodal transportation.”

“Once again this year, the participating teams raised the bar with their presentations,” said Joni Casey, president and CEO of IANA. “We congratulate all of the schools that competed and hope that the students will one day take their places as future leaders of the intermodal industry.”

Since the Scholarship Program's inception in 2007, IANA has awarded more than $3 million to support students in university programs focused on freight and intermodal transportation. These funds support tuition, student research projects on intermodal issues, and course curriculum development.

University of Maryland Team

Students – Dawson Jones, Devin Streight, Steven Ioannidis

Advisor – Dr. Thomas Corsi

University of North Texas Team

Students – Seth Williams, Rayann Nasser, Cassandra Keenan

About IANA:
IANA’s roster of more than 1,000 corporate members includes railroads, ocean carriers, ports, intermodal truckers and over-the-road highway carriers, intermodal marketing and logistic companies, and suppliers to the industry. This roster gives IANA a unique position within the intermodal community, one which is authoritative, holistic and able to affect change that benefits everyone. IANA consistently supports the shared needs, interests, and goals of its diverse members – regardless of mode or function – with business solutions, education, and networking opportunities.