From the Bridge to the Boardroom: Leadership, Transformation, and the Future of AI in Supply Chain

Episode notes

In this episode of Kev Talks: Real World Global Logistics , Kevin Parkerson and Kevin Higgins sit down with industry veteran David Arsenault for a conversation that spans decades of real-world experience - from life at sea to leading at the highest levels of global logistics. David’s journey begins at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, where early lessons in discipline, followership, and leadership shaped his approach to navigating both ships and organizations. He shares unforgettable stories from his time at sea - including a dramatic encounter in Colombia that earned him the nickname “50 Bucks” - offering a raw and personal look at how those early experiences built resilience and perspective. The conversation shifts to his leadership tenure at Hyundai Merchant Marine America, where David stepped into the CEO role during one of the most turbulent periods in ocean shipping. He reflects on guiding the organization through financial uncertainty, emphasizing the power of transparency, communication, and trust in maintaining both customer confidence and team alignment under pressure.

• WISE in Action: Building the Future of Supply Chain Leadership47 / 100
• Chasing Storms and Supply Chains: Process, Discipline, and Scaling
• From Gigafactories to Warehouses: The High-Stakes Future of Industrial Logistics
• From Port Operator to CEO: Supply Chain Volatility, AI, and Winning Market Share
• Flexible Storage, Real-World Leadership, and Solving Supply Chain Chaos