Logistics Expert Tom Mentzer Passes Away

Tom Mentzer

John T. (Tom) Mentzer passed away in Knoxville, Tennessee, on February 26, 2010, after three years of battling cancer. Dr. Mentzer was the Harry J. and Vivienne R. Bruce Chair of Excellence Professor in Business in the Department of Marketing and Logistics at the University of Tennessee. 

Dr. Mentzer wrote more than 190 papers and articles, and eight books. He was recognized in 1999 as the most prolific author in the Journal of Business Logistics.  His research focused on the contribution of marketing and logistics to customer satisfaction and strategic advantage in supply chains; the application of computer decision models to marketing, logistics, and forecasting; and the management of the sales forecasting function.

He served on the editorial review boards of numerous journals and previously served as editor of the Systems Section of the Journal of Business Logistics. He was president of the Council of Logistics Management (2000 - 2001), as well as president and chair of the board of governors of the Academy of Marketing Science. In 2004 he was the recipient of the Council of Logistics Management Distinguished Service Award.

Dr. Mentzer frequently conducted numerous programs and workshops for various segments of the business and government communities. He served as a consultant for over 100 corporations and government agencies, and on the boards of directors of several corporations.

He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Brenda, and two daughters.