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Nick Little is Managing Director of the Railway Management Program at the Eli Broad College of Business at Michigan State University. Nick has extensive industry and international experience in Railways, Supply Management and Supply Chain Management.
After completion of British Rail's prestigious Supplies Management Training Scheme, he worked within the UK Railway industry and its subsidiaries in Derby and London. He then moved to the UK Post Office where he established a regional and business unit supply management organization and led a complete review of both internal and external Post Office supply chains reducing annual operating costs by 25% in two years and achieving a recurrent annual saving over £10 million ($16 million). Nick also was involved in internal education and development.
Nick has a Bachelor of Arts in Business Studies from Ealing CHE in England and, professionally, is qualified MCIPS (UK Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply) and CPSM from ISM (US)
Since joining MSU in 1995, Nick has led work on a number of benchmarking/research projects, including Supply Chain Performance, Procurement Strategy Development/Implementation, and Indirect Purchases. In addition Nick compiled a Strategy Focus Report on Services Purchasing.
Nick chaired the Supply-Chain Council's North America Leadership Team, Supply Chain World - North America Conference & Exposition (Baltimore, MD, May 2011) and tracks at several of their annual conferences. Nick was an elected member of the APICS Education & Research Board, serving as Treasurer and Company Secretary.
Nick is passionate about people development and their role in delivering competitive advantage for their employers. A founding member of the global Supply Chain Talent Academic Initiative, he has working globally with industry, academia and professional bodies to close the gap in supply chain talent supply and demand in terms of quantity and quality.
Throughout his career, Nick has designed, developed and delivered training at managerial and executive levels for purchasing and other operational and administrative staff groups. Nick brought that valuable industry-based expertise to complement the academic strengths of Michigan State University faculty as a key member of its Executive Development Programs group, specializing in customized programs and client relationships covering supply chain management globally.
Nick has assumed leadership of the Railway Management Certificate Program and new programs, workshops and seminars as part of the Railway Research and Education team. In this role, he brings his extensive knowledge of railways and their management into play.
Rail Safety Act: Misguided Focus on HBDs May 17, 2023 Outlet: Railway Age Nick Little, director of railway education at the Center for Railway Research and Education, authored an article in Railway Age on the Rail Safety Act of 2023.
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Management incentives at CSX, NS, and UP shift toward service and growth April 24, 2023 Outlet: Trains.com Nick Little, director of railway education at the Center for Railway Research and Education, spoke to Trains.com on changes in management incentives at CSX Transportation, Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific.
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Skip to Article Set weather cleveland’s Logo Subscribe Sign in News March 13, 2023 Outlet: Cleveland.com Little also spoke to Cleveland.com on overheated bearings, now being investigated as a likely cause of the Norfolk Southern derailment, and how train crews detected hot bearings before trackside sensors came into widespread use.
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Norfolk Southern’s accident rate spiked over the last decade March 8, 2023 Outlet: Politico Nick Little, director of railway education at the Center for Railway Research and Education, spoke to Politico on rail safety compared to road safety in the wake of Norfolk Southern derailments. The article was also published at seven other outlets.
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Weeks after Ohio derailment, feds mull merger set to bring more freight trains to the Chicago area February 24, 2023 Outlet: Chicago Tribune Nick Little, director of railway education at the Center for Railway Research and Education, spoke to the Chicago Tribune on the safety of the U.S. rail freight system in light of a proposed rail merger that would bring more freight trains through parts of the Chicago area.
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25 Under 40 February 13, 2023 Outlet: Railway Age Nick Little, director of railway education at the Center for Railway Research and Education, judged Railway Age’s 2023 list of 25 under 40.
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The ESG Pathway to Rail Modernization January 4, 2023 Outlet: National Electrical Manufacturers Association Nick Little, director of railway education at the Center for Railway Research and Education, authored an article titled “The ESG Pathway to Rail Modernization” that was published at the National Electrical Manufacturers Association.
Rail industry must overcome strained labor relations in order to survive December 12, 2022 Outlet: FreightWaves Nick Little, director of railway education at the Center for Railway Research and Education, spoke to FreightWaves on quality of life issues for rail crews and the railway industry.
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Rail industry must overcome strained labor relations in order to survive December 12, 2022 Outlet: FreightWaves Nick Little, director of railway education at the Center for Railway Research and Education, spoke to FreightWaves on quality of life issues for rail crews and the railway industry.
Economic concerns over railroad workers’ strike put on hold September 17, 2022 Outlet: The Ticker Nick Little, director of railway education at the Center for Railway Research and Education, spoke to The Ticker on the importance of railroads to the nation’s economy and security.
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Potential rail strike threatens to kneecap US economy ahead of midterms September 7, 2022 Outlet: The Hill Nick Little, director of railway education at the Center for Railway Research and Education, spoke to the Hill about a possible nationwide freight rail strike and its effect on the upcoming midterm elections. The article was also published at MSN News and five other outlets.
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Cross with caution: Lack of oversight creates safety risks at private railroad crossings July 8, 2022 Outlet: Farmers' Advance Nick Little, director of railway education at the Center for Railway Research and Education, spoke to USA Today on enforcing safety features at private railway crossings. The article was also published at three other outlets.
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Major Japan railway now powered only by renewable energy April 27, 2022 Outlet: Associated Press Nick Little, director of railway education at the Center for Railway Research and Education, spoke to the Associated Press about Tokyo Railways’ trains and stations having fully converted to renewable energy sources. The article was also published at ABC News and 250 other outlets
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Ag industry steamed about rail service April 20, 2022 Outlet: ArgiPulse Nick Little, director of railway education at the Center for Railway Research and Education, was quoted in an AgriPulse article about ongoing disputes between the agriculture industry and the freight rail industry.
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25 Under 40 February 11, 2022 Outlet: Railway Age The article was also published in 1 other outlet.