Transportation Institute Appoints New Executive Director

The Transportation Institute at the University of Denver (DTI) is pleased to announce David Fisher has been selected as the Executive Director of DTI. A recognized leader in supply chain and logistics with more than 30 years of experience, Fisher is deeply embedded within industry, with previous roles at Johns-Manville, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, Danzas Corporation (now known as DHL), and others.

"The Transportation Institute represents the bond between industry and higher education," said Fisher. "For more than 20 years, DTI has manifested leadership that ensures the growth, efficiency, and effectiveness of logistics and its critical role in global stability. Having an opportunity to build on the legacy of DTI is the privilege of a lifetime."

Following his education at Metropolitan State University of Denver in the 1980s, Fisher began his career with Danzas International. He rose through the company ultimately becoming a Regional Vice President. Following Danzas, Fisher led a transition team to tackle global logistics/supply chain procurement and global shipping compliance within the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company in Akron, Ohio.

 After his experience at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, Fisher returned to Denver as the Global Transportation and Logistics Director for Johns Manville, where he focused on solutions that improved efficiency and global standardization. While working for Johns Manville, Fisher founded the Berkshire Hathaway Logistics Council. The council focused on collaboration, networking, and common cause projects in procurement, best practice sharing, and logistics optimization.

Fisher’s work has been recognized in publications such as American Shipper magazine and Inbound Logistics magazine, and he has been a regular speaker for industry conferences and universities, including as a guest lecturer at the University of Denver. Fisher is certified in Transportation and Logistics by the American Society of Transportation and Logistics, and is also a certified Six-Sigma Black Belt. He has served on the industry boards of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) – Rocky Mountain Chapter, the National Industrial Transportation League, and others. Fisher also serves as an advising director to several enterprise boards focusing on digital freight management and optimization, publication and data mining, and manufacturers seeking to optimize their supply chain.

"We sought a leader with a strong business acumen, industry insight, and collaborative spirit, someone who can further the DTI mission of developing the future leaders of transportation, logistics, and supply chain," said Michael McGuire, dean of DU’s University College where DTI is housed. "We’re confident that David will help build on the program’s strengths and industry partnerships to deliver an exceptional student experience."

Helping shape that student experience is the DTI Board of Directors, a group of industry leaders who will collaborate regularly with the new executive director. "David’s perspectives and experiences will be incredibly valuable as we further the mission of the Transportation Institute," said Steve Rhode, current DTI Board chair and general manager of SFI Trucks and Financing. "As we look to educate and support the future leaders of this industry, having David at the helm of DTI will surely strengthen the solid reputation of the institute."

Fisher will officially join the University of Denver in November, and aims to collaborate with the students, dean, and DTI Board of Directors to continue the success of DTI by providing relevant education to a changing industry.

"The Transportation Institute delivers extraordinary value to society as a thought center for transportation advancement," he said. "The pedigree of the University of Denver matched with the professionalism of the Institute seeks to forever raise the bar and assure the advancement of the transportation industry. We grow and become better as we work together as a team, we succeed and reap the rewards as we send our graduates into the field as fully realized experts."