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Reverse Logistics Management
Laura Meade, Professor University of Dallas
8:30 -9:30

Abstract: The selection of third-party logistics providers is an intriguing practical and research question. Reverse logistics is increasingly becoming an area of organizational competitive advantage, making the pursuit of this function a strategic decision (Schwartz, 2000). With the development and advancement of reverse logistics concepts and practice, the selection of partners for the specific function of reverse logistics support becomes more important. This paper is one of the first to address this issue. The factors that play an important role in selecting a third-party reverse logistics provider; such as a focus on end-of-life product organizational roles (e.g. recycling, reuse, etc.), differ from some traditional factors for supplier selection. How these new factors can be included for the selection of a partner is modeled within a decision-making framework. The proposed approach uses a decision making tool, based on the analytical network process model to aid in this selection process.

Biography: Laura M. Meade graduated with a BSME from Valparaiso University. She later attended University of Texas at Arlington where she received a MBA and a PhD in Industrial Engineering. Her work experience includes General Dynamics and the Automation and Robotics Research Institute. At present she is an Assistant Professor at the University of Dallas, Graduate School of Management. She has published several articles in the area of enterprise modeling, performance management, supply chain management and logistics. She is a member of the American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS), Council of Logistics (CLM) and Institute of Industrial Engineers (IEE). Her current research interests include reverse logistics, and supply chain management.

Hiring Within: Maintaining Hireability
Helen Harkness, Career Design Associates Inc.
9:45 -10:45

Abstract: Success in our uncertain and chaotic era requires that we take control and self-direct our career. Striving to solve current career problems and achieve career success with solutions from an outdated workplace paradigm is passé and self-defeating. This presentation will focus on 1) understanding change in the workplace 2) re-thinking former patterns and rules, and 3) developing a practical creative action plan that will renew and move your career forward in your current organization.

Biography: Helen Harkness, Ph.D., a pioneer in career management programs, founded Career Design Associates, Inc. in 1978 after a career as a college teacher, academic dean, and director of continuing education. She has provided career consulting to over 8,000 individual clients and numerous organizations. She is a futurist, consultant, researcher and speaker. She is author of two books, The Career Chase: Taking Creative Control in a Chaotic Age, Don't Stop the Career Clock: Rejecting the Myths of Aging for a New Way to Work in the 21st Century and is currently working on her third book, Capitalizing on Career Chaos stressing how individuals and organizations can thrive in our radically changing world. The major theme in all her career work is, "Freedom in Knowing Your Options", a real challenge in our rapidly changing workplace. www.career-design.com

Risk Management: No Fluffing
Nikki Choyce, President InfoTech Management Inc.
11 :00 -12:00

Abstract: TBA

Biography: Nikki Choyce, PMP is President of Infotech Management, Inc., a project management services and training organization based in Fort Worth, Texas. She has been working as a project management consultant and trainer in a variety of industries and organizations. In addition, she is currently serving as president of the Fort Worth PMI chapter and teaches project management courses for the University of Texas at Arlington. Her company provides both consulting and professional development services such as organizational assessments and development, skill assessments, training as well as project implementation services.

A Software Person's Guide to Earned Value Metrics
Dennis Frailey, Principle Fellow at Raytheon Company and Adjunct Professor SMU
1:30-3:00

Abstract: Do your projects suffer from the "90% done" syndrome? How do you know how far you really are? Is your project in trouble? How much trouble? How early in your project can you know? Can you predict the likely outcome? Earned Value metrics enable practitioners and managers to answer these questions based on facts. Unfortunately, earned value systems are usually defined and explained by financial experts whose approach is full of jargon and arcane terminology that leaves software people wishing they could just get back to their workstation and start coding.

This presentation explains earned value in straightforward terms that make sense to software developers and managers. The talk illustrates how to use earned value to manage actual software development tasks.

Biography: Dennis J Frailey is a Principal Fellow at Raytheon Company in Plano, Texas and an Adjunct Professor of Computer Science at SMU. He also teaches non-credit courses for UCLA and the University of Texas Software Quality Institute. At Raytheon, Dennis is a leader in software engineering, currently focusing on software management principles, metrics and cycle time reduction. Prior assignments include computer architect, software project manager, head of the software engineering process group, real-time operating system developer, compiler designer, and speechwriter for company executives. Dennis is an accreditation visitor in Computer Engineering, Computer Science and Software Engineering for ABET, an editorial board member for the journal "Software Process Improvement and Practice," and former vice president of the national ACM. He has over 100 technical publications including articles in three encyclopedias.

Dr. Frailey is a member of the industrial advisory committee of the Texas Board of Professional Engineers. He holds an MS and PhD in computer science (Purdue) and a BS in mathematics (Notre Dame). He was chairman of the Dallas Fort Worth Association for Software Engineering Excellence in 1991-92.

Fired Up: 7 Essential Steps for Making Ethical Choices
Anita Vanetti, Better Character, Better Business
3:15 -4:45

Abstract: Fired Up! is a highly energized, thought provoking and inspirational program that motivates audiences to stay Fired Up! even during difficult times. It is ideal for enhancing creativity and productivity among professional staffs. It provides a one-of-a-kind values-driven presentation perfect for development coaching. utafw.uta.edu/spring_2003/fired_up.php

Biography: Anita was born in 1960 on Mather Air Force Base in Sacramento, California. As a member of a military family, Anita traveled extensively living in West Germany, Turkey and Washington D.C. where her family settled down at Andrews Air Force Base. Eventually, Anita's father became a pilot for a commercial airline and the family moved to Kansas City, Missouri.

Anita attended the University of Missouri in Columbia. She earned a degree in Broadcast Journalism. In a television news career spanning nearly 20 years, Anita has experience as an anchor, producer, assignments manager and reporter. She has worked in the newsrooms of eight radio and television stations in Missouri, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Texas. She most recently served as the primary reporter for the early morning news program called Daybreak at WFAA TV in Dallas. Anita's reports and lives shots have appeared on CNN, ABC's Good Morning America and ABC's NewsOne affiliate services. Her stories have aired on newscasts nationwide. Anita's experiences as a newscaster have made her an outstanding sought-after speaker and media consultant. www.anitavanetti.com