From Conflict to Customer: Navigating Global Business Uncertainty amid Tariffs, Critical Minerals Sourcing Shocks & Geopolitical Instability
November 13-14, 2025 | AT&T Conference Center
Supply chains are facing challenges from tariff pressures, global disruptions, and policy uncertainties. These factors are impacting costs, pricing, sourcing, and lead times, while also increasing risks to operations.
Join us as we discuss cross-functional strategies to navigate these challenges to protect revenue and trust.
Our two-day program will feature expert insights from the front lines. Get involved in the discussion and take advantage of ample Q&A and networking opportunities.
Conference Schedule
Activity schedule for Operations Conference
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2025
5:30 pm – 6 pm
Conference Check-In
5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Networking Reception
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Networking Dinner
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2025
7:30 am – 8:30 am
Conference Check-In
8:45 am – 8:50 am
Welcome Remarks
8:50 am – 9:50 am
Keynote #1: Rick Tewell, President & Chief Operating Officer, Infinitum
9:50 am – 10:15 am
Networking Break
10:15 am – 11:15 am
Keynote Speaker #2
11:15 am – 12:00 pm
Panel Discussion:
- David Jabour, Co-Owner & President, Twin Liquors
- Edward Anderson, McCombs Professor
Conference Location
AT&T Hotel & Conference Center
1900 University Avenue, Austin, TX 78705
Speakers
SPEAKERS
CHACKO VERGHESE
SVP, IT – FEDEX
With nearly three decades of experience in the IT sector, Chacko is a Fortune 50 senior IT executive known for his deep technical expertise, strong business acumen, and a proven ability to lead transformation, build scalable IT platforms and lead large, global teams. His remarkable capability to seamlessly connect business workflows with IT solutions has consistently driven transformative business outcomes. Having worked across multiple industries, Chacko has earned a reputation as a forward-thinking leader who effectively blends technology with business strategy.
RICK TEWELL
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, INFINITUM
Rick has more than 30 years of engineering and operations experience, including two decades in automotive electronics. Rick comes to us from AEye, a public lidar sensor manufacturer where he served as their Chief Operating Officer. Before that, he was the Chief Operating Officer at Velodyne Lidar, a provider of lidar sensors, from 2018 through 2021. Between 2017 to 2018, he was responsible for advanced manufacturing and automation at Velodyne. From 2005 through 2017, Mr. Tewell has held progressively senior roles in both the hardware and embedded software space across a variety of technology companies, including VeriSilicon, NXP/Freescale, Nvidia, and Fujitsu Semiconductor. Rick loves to read and has an extensive library consisting of books about business, electronics, aviation, trains, cars, and his avid love – space. He and his wife of 32 years enjoy traveling and tasting and collecting wine. Other hobbies include writing, astronomy and working on various electronics projects when time allows, which is not that often.
DAVID JABOUR
PRESIDENT & CO-OWNER, TWIN LIQUORS
David Jabour has been involved in the beverage alcohol industry all his life. His father Theodore established a liquor store in downtown Austin shortly after the repeal of Prohibition.
Following college graduation, after 15 exciting and rewarding years as a banker, David devoted his attention to Twin Liquors. As President of Twin Liquors, David and his sister Margaret, have grown Twin Liquors from one location to 100 plus locations across Texas. Twin Liquors has been recognized as a leader in the industry, receiving the industry’s most coveted award as Shanken Communications’ Market Watch United States Retailer of the Year, and as Beverage Dynamics Retailer of the Year. Market Watch has subsequently honored Twin Liquors with alumni awards for Best Marketing, and for Outstanding Community Service.
David holds his BBA from the University of Texas McCombs School of Business. He resides in Austin with his wife Sylvia. David and Sylvia have three young adults with budding business careers.
ED ANDERSON
MCCOMBS FACULTY
Edward G. Anderson is the Mortimer Centennial Professor at the University of Texas at Austin’s McCombs School of Business. His research focuses on supply chain innovation, the economics of platform system design, and distributed product development. His current projects focus on the structure of business-to-business platforms as well as the role of government policy in supply chain resilience. He has researched industries such as smartphones, automotives, electronics, health care, and construction as well as the Internet of Things (IoT) and Industry 4.0.
Join Us in November
Whether you are an MBA student interested in enhancing your passion for operations, or an industry professional looking for new talent and peer perspective, make plans to join us. Sponsors and invited guests will join an exceptional group of MBA students and faculty, and help us deliver an event filled with real-world experience and insight. We invite companies to support the Conference through one of our corporate partnership options.
