LEADERSHIP Conversations with the Captains of Industry
Kindness, Curiosity, and Featherweight Sewing Machines
Bill Stankiewicz is also known as the Savannah Supply Chain Guy. He is the managing director of Savannah Supply Chain, the consulting firm he formed in 2015, after more than 20 years in executive roles with several logistics and supply chain companies. An adjunct professor with Savannah Technical College, Stankiewicz has held board positions with multiple civic and industry organizations. Stankiewicz’s busy schedule started early. While still in high school, he worked full-time on the second shift as a die-setter with a container company. When Stankiewicz was young, his dad died and his mom worked as a custodian. “We didn’t have much money, and I was saving for college,” he says. Stankiewicz continued working after high school, while he also enrolled in trade school. After several years, he saved enough to transfer to DePaul University in Chicago, where he majored in personnel management, now called human resources. His first job after graduating was as a warehouse supervisor. From there, he proceeded to roles with more responsibilities, remaining within the logistics and supply chain areas. IL: What characteristics are critical for effective leaders? Effective leadership requires clarity, resilience, and the ability to align people around shared goals. In today’s environment of rapid change, leaders must build adaptable systems, encourage cross-functional collaboration, and invest in talent that demonstrates curiosity and ownership. Sustainable success is not driven by reaction, but by disciplined planning and steady execution. When you stick up for your people, it goes a long way. At one company, I worked in a high-traffic area that was near several large racks of material. Instead of bollards or bumpers to separate the areas, there was only a small fence. A senior executive with the company delayed the purchase of safety guard rails. Sure enough, a forklift driver accidentally backed up into the racks, bringing down four rows. The executive wanted to fire the employee. I said ‘Nope. You will have to fire me first.’ The employee wasn’t fired, although he did receive more training on the forklift. Hate and being mean are powerful motivators. They’re quick and you get immediate results. But the other motivator is kindness. Being kind goes a long way.
Bill Stankiewicz, Managing Director, Savannah Supply Chain
Bill Stankiewicz, the veteran managing director of Savannah Supply Chain, shares the personal lessons that shaped his compassionate and disciplined leadership style–from saving for college to famously saving an employee’s job.
by Karen Kroll
10 Inbound Logistics • April 2026
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