Contact: Madeleine Miller-Holodnicki, ABC, Manager of Communications

+1 630.645.3487

For Immediate Release

Arthur Mesher Honored with CSCMP’s 2008 Distinguished Service Award

Lombard, Illinois USA (July 28, 2008)—Arthur Mesher, CEO of the The Descartes
Systems Group Inc., will receive the Council of Supply Chain Management Professional’s
(CSCMP) 2008 Distinguished Service Award (DSA).
CSCMP presents the award annually to an individual who has made significant contribu-
tions to the art and science of supply chain and logistics management. The award is the highest
honor that can be bestowed upon an individual for achievement in these two professions.
Mesher will be honored during the Keynote Session on October 6, 2008 at CSCMP’s
rd
Annual Global Conference in Denver, Colorado. He is the 43 person to receive the award since
it was inaugurated in 1965 as a tribute to John Drury Sheahan, a pioneer logistics consultant and
partner in the consulting firm that bore his name.
“In his 25-year career, Art Mesher has emerged as one of the foremost pioneers, busi-
ness developers, and thought leaders in supply chain and logistics,” said Rick Blasgen, president
and CEO of CSCMP. “He is considered by many to be one of the founders of the on-demand
logistics networks utilized by many companies today. He has a natural ability to identify supply
chain and logistics trends; is focused on promoting the use of innovative technology to address
these trends; and is passionate about educating stakeholders on the importance of embracing
these trends.”
In the early 1980s, Mesher pioneered one of the industry’s first PC-based simulation
package for warehouse design for MTS and Northern Telecom, which enabled a just-in-time
(JIT) manufacturing strategy with a network of suppliers and carriers. In the mid 1980s, he was
involved in the start up of VOCAM Systems, a company which launched the first PC-based multi-
carrier manifest system, as well as the first data network that tied shippers and carriers together
to exchange computer-to-computer electronic logistics data.
As CEO of Descartes, he transformed a business on the brink of foreclosure into a
successful, profitable company. In 2006, the company was awarded the “Best Business Turn-
around” in The International Business Awards given to companies that showed a significant
operational and financial improvement during 2006 over 2005 and was recognized as The
Best Canadian Company by Canadian Business magazine.
 Mesher is a frequent keynote speaker at industry events and at academic institutions
such as MIT, Penn State, and Northwestern, and has published numerous articles.
Founded in 1963, the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals is the pre-
eminent association for individuals involved in supply chain management. CSCMP provides
global educational, career development, and networking opportunities to over 9,000 members.

For more information, please contact:

Madeleine Miller-Holodnicki, ABC

Manager of Communications
Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP)
333 East Butterfield Road, Suite 140
Lombard, Illinois 60148-5617 USA
mholodnicki@cscmp.org