Institute for Supply Management® Honors Craig Reed with 2025 J. Shipman Gold Medal Award

Reed was honored during the 2025 Awards Gala at ISM World 2025, ISM's annual international supply management conference, held June 1 - 3 in Orlando. The award, created in 1931, is ISM's most esteemed honor and is presented annually to an individual who contributes to the advancement of procurement and supply management while providing guidance to other professionals.

"I am deeply honored and humbled to receive the J. Shipman Gold Medal Award. This recognition is a testament to the collective efforts and dedication of my colleagues, mentors, and the entire procurement community who have supported and inspired me throughout my career. I am grateful to the Institute for Supply Management® for this prestigious award and for their unwavering commitment to advancing the supply management profession.

This accolade reflects not only my work but also the achievements of the talented teams I have had the privilege to lead and the innovative organizations I have been a part of. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this journey. Together, we will continue to drive excellence and innovation in supply management," said Reed.

Craig Reed has over 30 years of experience in procurement and supply chain management, spanning diverse industries including industrial, electrical, airline, automotive, commercial, consumer goods and life sciences. In his current role at Thermo Fisher Scientific, Craig leads a global procurement team of over 800 employees, managing spend critical to the company's operations, which generated more than $42M in revenue in 2024. His strategic initiatives have driven, cost productivity, margin expansion, supply assurance, risk management, quality improvement, supplier performance and organizational capability, development and effectiveness, making a significant impact on the company's global operations.

Prior to joining Thermo Fisher Scientific, Craig served as the Chief Procurement Officer and Head of Corporate Real Estate and Facility Services at Corteva Agriscience, where he oversaw a global procurement team responsible for more than $9 billion in global spend. He has also held key procurement roles at DuPont, Eaton PLC, MeadWestvaco, Delta Air Lines, Deere & Company, BMW Manufacturing, and Honda of America Manufacturing.

"It's nearly impossible to capture the full scope of Craig Reed's impact on the supply management profession. Craig's leadership at Thermo Fisher Scientific, one of the most complex procurement environments in the world, sets a benchmark for strategic excellence, operational rigor, and purpose-driven innovation. His unwavering commitment to sustainability, talent development, and inclusive leadership has reshaped what it means to be a supply chain executive today," said ISM CEO Thomas W. Derry. "As a leader and a tireless advocate for equity and representation, Craig has helped shape the future of our profession and has established a profound legacy."

Reed's contributions to the profession extend beyond his corporate roles. He has been an active member of ISM, serving on the National Board of Directors and as Chair of the Board. He is also a founding member of the Black Executive Supply Summit and has been involved in numerous community and professional development activities, including mentoring students and supporting supplier development and diversity initiatives.

Reed has been a consistent advocate for broadening representation in the profession across all dimensions: in his teams, in engaging diverse suppliers to promote a healthier supply ecosystem, and in developing the leadership structure of the profession itself. As a member of the board of ISM, and later its Chair, Craig held ISM accountable to serve as an organization that identified and developed professionals of all backgrounds. His focus on this need led to him serving as a member of the Board of Directors of the National Minority Supplier Development Council and being elected to the Board of Trustees of Florida A&M University, the number one ranked public Historically Black College/University (HBCU) in the United States.

A passionate educator and leader, Reed has served as a guest lecturer and instructor at institutions including the Department of Defense, Michigan State University, North Carolina State University, Howard University, and Clark Atlanta University, where he also co-founded and chaired the Supply Chain Management Executive Advisory Board, helping establish a robust supply chain management curriculum. His influence spans globally—from teaching procurement in Dubai to speaking at premier conferences such as ISM and NMSDC. As a founding member of the Procurement Roundtable of Business Equity for Indy (BEI), Reed has championed supplier diversity and equitable access for MBEs. A published author and frequent panelist, his insights on topics like supplier performance, global sourcing, and boardroom metrics have shaped the future of procurement. Reed's legacy is one of innovation, mentorship, and unwavering commitment to advancing the field of supply management.

Reed holds a Master of Business Administration in Supply Chain Management from the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University and a bachelor's degree in economics from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University.

About the J. Shipman Gold Medal Award 
Johnson Shipman was a pioneer member of the New York affiliate of the National Association of Purchasing Agents, now Institute for Supply Management^®, well-known for giving liberally of his time and counsel. The J. Shipman Gold Medal Award was created in 1931, and is presented to those individuals whose modest, unselfish, sincere, and persistent efforts have aided the advancement of the procurement and supply chain management field. Those chosen for the award have also assisted and guided members of the profession in their endeavors.

About Institute for Supply Management^®
Institute for Supply Management® (ISM®) is the first and leading not-for-profit professional supply management organization worldwide. Its community of more than 50,000 in more than 100 countries around the world manage about US$1 trillion in corporate and government supply chain procurement annually. Founded in 1915 by practitioners, ISM is committed to advancing the strategy and practice of integrated, end-to-end supply chain management through leading edge data-driven resources, community, and education to empower individuals, create organizational value and to drive competitive advantage. ISM's vision is to foster a prosperous, sustainable world. ISM empowers and leads the profession through the ISM® Report On Business®, its highly-regarded certification and training programs, corporate services, events and assessments. The ISM® Report On Business®, Manufacturing, Services, and Hospital are three of the most reliable economic indicators available, providing guidance to supply management professionals, economists, analysts, and government and business leaders. For more information, please visit: www.ismworld.org.

Contact: Jessica Boyd, 480.752.6276, ext. 3085
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SOURCE Institute for Supply Management