BrownCafe

More than one year into the global pandemic, supply chains have achieved in a matter of months what would have taken years to accomplish. For United Parcel Service (UPS), one of the world’s largest logistics companies, that included re-engineering their processes to deliver more than 27 million pounds of personal protective equipment (PPE) and more than 150 million COVID-19 test kits and biological samples globally.

The company is on track to deliver 3 billion vaccines by year’s end despite many issues supply chains are facing—from port congestion to commodity shortages and even, severe weather. At the same time, companies are preparing for rapid growth as economies reopen.

These were some of the insights shared by UPS at a recent meeting of the Dallas Regional Chamber’s International Task Force. The company discussed their COVID-19 response, learnings in supply chain management, and trends in the e-commerce industry.

The UPS Foundation pledged $1 million in emergency funding and aid to India on Wednesday, joining several private companies and nonprofits that are donating millions of dollars and medical supplies to India as the country is ravaged by a Covid-19 surge.

“We know that UPS’s assistance will be part of a number of efforts that, collectively, will make the difference between life and death. The global community has a duty to act, and act fast. We are horrified by what is happening in India,” UPS Foundation President of Social Impact Nikki Clifton said in a statement to Forbes.

Deisha Barnett, the senior branding executive with the Metro Atlanta Chamber for nearly five years, will be leaving May 21 to join UPS as its vice president of strategic communications.

Katie Kirkpatrick, president of the Metro Atlanta Chamber, sent out an email Monday to her team making the announcement. Barnett also has been serving as the Chamber’s head of diversity, inclusion and equity.

“Deisha has been a valuable member of our senior leadership team who has shown true dedication and commitment to MAC’s mission,” Kirkpatrick wrote in the announcement. “We have relied on her strategic counsel, business-savvy and deep love for Atlanta – and her impact extends far beyond any one initiative.”

Kirkpatrick said Barnett has transformed the Chamber’s approach to promoting the region.

UPS driver James Joseph’s philosophy sounds a lot like a slogan his company once had: What can “Big Brown” do for you?

In the case of the philanthropy Joseph created, the answer seems to be “whatever it takes.”

When he’s not delivering packages, Joseph has helped deliver air conditioners and fans to people during sweltering weather, water and supplies to hurricane-stricken areas and, most recently, masks and hand sanitizer to schools across Louisiana.

Called Big Brown Reaching Back, Joseph’s organization has provided food on weekends in 10 Louisiana cities for impoverished children whose only regular hot meals come at school.