David Ecklund’s career path led from his childhood in small-town Iowa to the Middle East, Europe, and Asia with Caterpillar, Inc. and finally to Big Orange country, where he bridged the gap for UT students between classroom and industry. That Ecklund spent the second chapter of his professional life at UT is an unexpected blessing felt by countless students.
For his exceptional service as a faculty member and founding director of the Executive MBA Program in Global Supply Chain Management, as well as multiple volunteer roles and extensive financial support, Ecklund was honored with UT’s Spirit of a Volunteer Award at the 2024 Haslam College of Business (HCB) awards event. The Spirit of a Volunteer Award recognizes nonalumni friends of the university who have devoted significant time and resources to advance the people and mission of UT.
“David enjoyed a successful 31-year career with Caterpillar where he served in several positions including product development, marketing, and distribution functions,” said Paul Clark, senior director of development, when presenting the award. “In addition, he participated in developing two new businesses for Caterpillar: Caterpillar Remanufactured Products and Caterpillar Logistics Services.
“We are grateful his career brought him to UT,” added Clark. “David exhibits a passion for preparing students to excel as working professionals in a global economy, and his life serves as a beacon for what it means to be a servant leader. In every way, David is a Volunteer.”
Building an Internationally Respected Program
At Caterpillar, Ecklund led the development of Cat Logistics’ business in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. In the early 1990s, the Cat Logistics leadership team turned to UT, which was and is exceptional in the supply chain management field, for assistance with developing the company’s first corporate strategy.
“Caterpillar became a founding member of UT’s Supply Chain Forum, which has fostered a long-term industry partnership and strategic relationship that still exists today,” says Ecklund. “Following completion of the corporate strategy, Cat Logistics continued to collaborate with UT. UT professors and students gained increased international experience through engagement with Cat Logistics on supply chain projects in Europe, and UT graduates joined the Caterpillar and Cat Logistics organizations.”
When Ecklund and his wife, Kathy, chose to make East Tennessee their home, UT lost no time engaging him to teach global procurement. The university saw the need to better equip students in supply chain management for a globalized business world, so his one-class appointment grew into the leadership of the new Executive MBA in Global Supply Chain Management (EMBA-GSC).
As founding director, in collaboration with faculty and industry executives, Ecklund led a team to create a truly international education for mid- and upper-level professionals from top global companies, something that didn’t exist in the supply chain field at the time.
“The program structure combined a global scope and global student profile with international residency periods, and relevant projects and engagements provided an exceptional learning and development opportunity,” says Ecklund. “UT’s exceptional reputation in the supply chain field and our team of nationally and internationally recognized faculty also made strategic partnerships possible with international universities, further differentiating the program and quality of education.”
The program officially launched in 2013 with university partners in Western Europe, Central and Eastern Europe, and Asia. It drew professionals working for top companies from around the world, including Boeing, Caterpillar, IBM, Johnson & Johnson, Mondelez International, Pilot Travel Centers and many others. Devotion from gifted and accomplished people—including faculty, staff, alumni, and industry executives—continues to ensure UT’s supply chain education remains best-in-class The EMBA-GSC program provides an internationally respected degree to graduates that pays off, with approximately 70 percent of graduates earning a promotion at their companies within two years of graduating.
EMBA in Global Supply Chain Management Highlights
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of program graduates receive promotions at their companies within two years of graduation
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HCB is #1 in graduate programs for supply chain management in North America (Gartner, 2022 and 2024)
#1
Executive MBA voted #1 most relevant degree program worldwide by students (Economist, 2018)
Meeting the Challenge to Light the Way
“When I stepped into a faculty role, UT’s consistent commitment to student success really impressed me,” says Ecklund. “It’s been a fantastic experience to teach and continue to mentor and serve as a faculty advisor. One of my favorite sayings at UT is, ‘it takes courage to light the way.’ I will be forever appreciative and grateful for the opportunity that UT and the Haslam College of Business have made possible for me.”
Though Ecklund retired from the faculty in 2014, he agreed to continue advising the college’s international students on a volunteer basis as a partner of the Office of Career Management for Graduate and Executive Education. Many continue to seek his advice years after they have graduated.
“David is a beacon of hope for students,” says Abhinav Kaura (’17). “He goes above and beyond, helping his mentees blossom into confident and successful individuals. David contributed to my success by helping me prepare for job interviews, spending hours with me practicing, giving me feedback, and helping me tailor my application to each job I applied for. His passionate dedication makes a real difference in student lives.”
Ecklund’s students share this sentiment. In 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018, he was voted by HCB international students to receive the college’s International Students Appreciation Award. He has taught and mentored students who have secured roles at top global companies, including Apple, Dell, HP, Microsoft, Proctor & Gamble, Amazon, Caterpillar, Cummins, Deloitte, Ernst & Young, Eastman Chemical, FedEx, Target, Walmart, and more. He was also recognized for his impact with a Dean’s Award for Excellence in Executive Education from the college during his faculty career.
Ecklund also remains involved at HCB through his service as chair of the MBA Advisory Council and is highly engaged with students in the newly launched International Business major, demonstrating his continuing passion for mentoring globally minded students.
David is a beacon of hope for students. He goes above and beyond, helping his mentees blossom into confident and successful individuals.
Abhinav Kaura (’17)
Invested in Student Success
Ecklund’s impact on student lives extends to several scholarships and graduate awards he and Kathy established.
“Our financial support isn’t about recognition or legacy—it’s about being responsible people,” says Ecklund. “Being a volunteer, being civic-minded, was important to my family. My parents served in various roles in our Iowa community and encouraged education as a means to opportunity. My wife and I are responsible for providing resources students may not have otherwise.”
“The educational experiences I had and the people who invested in me were transformational for my future, and I was lucky to earn scholarships to attend college,” adds Ecklund. “This drove me to give back as a faculty member, advisor, and donor, to have that same foundational impact for students today.”
Ecklund, Kathy, and his siblings have scholarships at UT, Iowa State University, and the University of Arkansas. Ecklund earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees from the latter institutions.
“To show students, through scholarships or personal effort, that somebody is willing to invest in them can be a game-changer,” says Ecklund. “At UT, I have had the opportunity to contribute to some great outcomes for students, utilizing my experience to benefit others and better position them to step into their futures. What more could I have asked for in my second career or as a donor?”
Many Volunteers have benefited from Ecklund’s generosity of spirit and his deep industry insight. He continues to guide students and alumni forward in their careers, supporting access to a UT education, expanding opportunities for international and study abroad experiences, and sending highly equipped graduates into the workforce with his same service-minded leadership. UT is honored to recognize him as part of the Volunteer family with this award.
