Chris Brooks, who is Vice President of the Containerization and Intermodal Institute, spends his day job as Executive Director of The JOC/The Journal of Commerce. “Like many who joined the supply chain industry in the 1980s and 1990s, I basically fell into it,” he says.

“Having graduated with a Journalism degree from Lock Haven (PA) University, I was looking for anything that would help me break in and eventually lead to a writing or editing career with Sports Illustrated or major metropolitan daily newspaper. That break happened to be The Journal of Commerce with its editing headquarters and printing facility at that time in Phillipsburg, NJ, near my hometown in the Lehigh Valley.”

That journalism career, which commenced 35 years ago, has remained at The Journal of Commerce starting as a Copy Editor and then Copy Chief, Shipping and Transportation Editor, Managing Editor of The Journal of Commerce and JOC.com, then Executive Editor and most recently Executive Editor of JOC Events prior to his newest title and responsibilities.

“As I tell new recruits, nothing can replace the education you get when working in logistics, supply chain and transportation,” he says. “It is a microcosm of life, and I literally learn something new every day. To me, that’s exciting – knowing I’m going to start the day or week and will hear, read, write or edit something I’ve never experienced. Beyond that, I’ve had a career that has allowed me to see the world: China, Europe, Latin America, and of course, a wide swath of North America. Precious few jobs in the world allow for that.”

Chris earned a bachelor’s in journalism with a minor in societal studies. “I knew by the time I was a teen that I wanted a career in journalism, either print or broadcast. Lock Haven was the perfect fit for me: a small school with personalized education and exposure to the elements I needed.”

It is Chris’ style to analyze educational opportunities that drew him to CII. “Many of the original JOC people involved with CII were retiring and there was an opportunity for me to perform volunteer work that embraced our industry, as well as the future leaders of our industry,” he notes. In addition, he has been able to bring to CII the expertise he developed in event management at The Journal of Commerce. His experience has been used to assist in planning events such as the scholarship and Connie Award galas.

“CII has a huge impact on the industry, and I welcomed the opportunity to make an even bigger one, especially given the unprecedented competition for jobs this industry faces,” he says. “It’s imperative that students at an ever-younger age understand the benefits a career in supply chain can offer. About five years ago, I helped lead a workshop on just that with about 100 high school students in Memphis. Their engagement was palpable, and I’m sure that many left that day with a much greater appreciation for our industry. My hope,” Chris says, “is that some are now ready to graduate into the professional world – in supply chain! We all have an obligation to pass the torch to the next generation of supply chain professionals, and CII provides a huge pathway to do that.”

No two days have ever been the same for Chris Brooks — a typical wish for a journalist. “Today, it’s very much overseeing the overall JOC and Shipping Intelligence business, which also includes a Rail product within the Maritime & Trade Division, all under parent company IHS Markit. It also involves a partnership with the International Association of Ports and Harbors, for which Chris and a cross-functional team produces a six-times-a-year magazine and co-produce the IAPH’s Annual World Ports Conference, he says. “The typical day involves collaborating across the various JOC departments: Editorial, Sales, Audience Development, and Events, ensuring we’re staying on track, meeting targets and deadlines, sticking to our goals and budget, and discussing next steps.”

What would he tell students looking at supply chain, logistics and transportation as a career path? “Do it! The combination of an ever-evolving world that impacts the way goods move and the ability to see the world as part of your job means no two days are ever the same. That’s an opportunity few industries can touch.”

Any other tips/words of advice for the next generation of transportation professionals? He laughs: “Strap on your seatbelt. It’s going to be a hell of a ride!”