Electrical distributor Graybar recently launched a Supply Chain Management certificate program in partnership with Rutgers University. The 15-month program is in its third session, with the newest class set to graduate in February 2009.

Graybar developed the Rutgers-Graybar Supply Chain Management program to address the demographic shift occurring in today's workplace as baby boomers get ready to retire and employers are faced with grooming a new generation of talent.

To find out more about the program, INDUSTRIAL DISTRIBUTION spoke to Kathy Mazzarella, Graybar's senior vice president–human resources and strategic planning:

Industrial Distribution: Can you briefly describe the program—who is it aimed at? What is its purpose?

Kathy Mazzarella: Leadership development has always been important, especially in a company that promotes most of its leaders from within the organization. With the anticipated impact of demographic shifts on the workforce, investing in our leaders is more vital than ever. The Rutgers-Graybar program is designed to equip Graybar's current and future leaders to successfully take on roles of greater responsibility.

Additionally, business is becoming increasingly complex. We need leaders who have a solid and comprehensive understanding of our business and the changing business environment. Our program is designed to help our leaders think more critically and strategically about Graybar's business and our customers' increasingly complex supply chain needs.

ID: What is Graybar's role in the coursework and administration of the program?

Mazzarella: The program integrates rigorous academics with real business applications, which requires extensive involvement from Graybar on the overall development of the curriculum. The program is also very dynamic, and it continues to evolve as business issues change.

We work closely with Rutgers adjunct professor Tim Perlick to coordinate all aspects of the program, from identifying the appropriate students to adapting the course curriculum. Tim is also the program facilitator who works with the students and acts as faculty advisor.

Graybar's senior executives are also actively involved in the program. Some serve as coaches on team projects, lead discussions on topics in their area of expertise and are available for questions and mentoring.

In fact, the students' end-of-year project is based on a real issue facing Graybar. For example, last year's graduates developed a regression analysis program that the company now uses.

ID: Is this a distance-learning program?

Mazzarella: We've based this program around a flexible, online format that emphasizes teamwork and mentoring. Students meet online from Graybar locations across the country to work on team assignments, participate in discussions and Web conferences and collaborate through message boards and e-mail. We also bring the group together two or three times over the 15 months. At the last meeting, they present their final projects to the senior executives.

ID: How long is the program and what kinds of courses are offered?

Mazzarella: It's a rigorous program designed to give students deeper knowledge on a wide range of topics—accounting and finance, legal and human resources, sales and marketing, operations and continuous improvement as well as distribution and the supply chain.

At the end of the 15-month program, teams present their findings on a final capstone project. These 30-minute presentations typically address issues of importance to Graybar, such as sales forecasting, and are delivered to a panel of senior Graybar executives who participate by making comments and asking questions.

ID: Are there prerequisites for enrollment?

Mazzarella: Most students come into the program with an undergraduate degree, but it's not a requirement. The teams are made up of a diverse group of employees from around the company.

ID: Is there anything else about the program you think is important to mention?

Mazzarella: We're very excited about the Rutgers-Graybar educational program. Our students graduate with a deeper understanding of our business and are poised to take on greater leadership positions within the company.