Speaking Engagements
Bring the power of tugboat leadership to your next conference, corporate event, or leadership summit.
Signature Speaking Topics
The Tugboat Leadership Philosophy
Discover how humble yet powerful mentors guide us through complex challenges. Rich shares the tugboat metaphor and reveals how great leaders build lasting impact through mentorship, integrity, and team building.
- Identifying and cultivating tugboat mentors in your organization
- The difference between captains, tugboats, and crew members
- Building a culture of mentorship that scales
Leading Global Teams: Lessons from the Supply Chain
Drawing from 40+ years managing operations across Asia, Europe, and North America, Rich shares practical strategies for leading diverse, distributed teams in complex environments.
- Building trust across cultures and time zones
- Communication best practices for global operations
- Creating accountability without micromanagement
Integrity in Business: Your Word is Your Bond
In an era of complexity and rapid change, integrity remains the foundation of lasting business relationships. Rich explores why your word is your most valuable asset in global commerce.
- Identifying and cultivating tugboat mentors in your organization
- The difference between captains, tugboats, and crew members
- Building a culture of mentorship that scales
Navigating Complexity: Supply Chain Wisdom for Business Leaders
The global supply chain has never been more critical—or more complex. Rich shares insights from decades managing logistics operations and what business leaders need to understand about supply chain resilience.
- Lessons from COVID-era supply chain disruptions
- Building resilient, flexible supply chains
- The human element in logistics excellence
Signature Speaking Topics
TPM Conference
Trans-Pacific Maritime leadership summit
RILA Summit
Retail Industry Leaders Association annual event
CONECT
Container logistics and supply chain conference
Rich has also spoken at port authority conferences, corporate leadership summits, and university business programs.
What Audiences Say
“Rich’s tugboat metaphor transformed how I think about mentorship in our organization. His authenticity and real-world stories resonated deeply with our leadership team.”
— VP of Operations, Fortune 500 Retail
“Rarely do you find a speaker who combines deep technical expertise with such profound insights on leadership and integrity. Rich’s presentation was the highlight of our conference.”
— Conference Organizer, TPM
“Rich doesn’t just talk about leadership theory—he’s lived it for four decades. His practical advice on building teams and maintaining integrity is invaluable.”
— Supply Chain Director
What to Expect
Authentic Storytelling
Discover why tugboat mentors—humble, dedicated guides—are essential for navigating career complexity. Learn how to identify great mentors and become one yourself.
Actionable Insights
No ship reaches harbor alone. Explore proven strategies for recruiting, developing, and leading high-performing teams across cultures and continents.
Flexible Formats
Keynote addresses, breakout sessions, panel discussions, or workshops—Rich tailors content to fit your event needs.
Engaging Delivery
Rich’s warm, conversational style keeps audiences engaged while delivering profound insights on leadership and mentorship.
Book Rich for Your Next Event
Inspire your team with tugboat leadership wisdom from four decades in global logistics and team building.