Lowe's CEO to keynote RILA Logistics Conference

The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) announced that Robert Niblock, Chairman & CEO, Lowe’s Companies will be the keynote speaker at the 2009 RILA Logistics Conference. The conference will be held February 8-11 at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Dallas Texas. “As one of the most respected retail executives today, Robert Niblock will bring valuable insight and experience to conference goers giving them an important look into the challenges and opportunities he sees for retail in the coming year,” said RILA President Sandy Kennedy. With 15 years of experience leading global retail businesses Niblock will share his perspective on the crucial role of the supply chain in retail operations at a time when customers, employees, investors and suppliers are coping with the uncertainty of a strained economy and the challenges of a legislative and regulatory overhaul by the new administration. Niblock has been the chairman and chief executive officer of Lowe's Companies, Inc., since January 2005. He also served as Lowe’s president from 2003 to 2006; and joined the board of directors when he was named chairman and CEO-elect in 2004. Niblock joined Lowe’s in 1993, and during his career with the company, has served as vice president and treasurer, senior vice president, and executive vice president and CFO. Before joining Lowe’s, Niblock had a nine-year career with accounting firm Ernst & Young. Niblock was elected chairman of the Retail Industry Leaders Association in January 2008. He has been a member of the organization since 2003 and served as its vice chairman in 2006 and 2007. He co-chairs the North Carolina State University Business Committee on Energy, a group of business leaders examining the challenges and opportunities in the state’s new energy economy. Niblock is a graduate of the University of North Carolina-Charlotte. Supply chains are becoming increasingly complex, yet more and more critical to retail success. Keeping pace with changes in consumer demand, capacity, and trade and transportation realities is a growing challenge for retail executives. The RILA 2009 Logistics Conference is designed give retail and product suppliers the knowledge, resources and network to increase productivity, streamline operations, maximize efficiency & lower costs. • Driving Supply Chain Performance: Leveraging Fact-Based Decision Making for Continuous Improvement • The State of Retail: Wall Street Analysts Speak Out • Labor Management the Lowe's Way • Leadership &Team Building: Insights by Chris "Boomer" Berman • EPA Smartway: Version 2.0 for Shippers and Carriers • Walgreens' Diverse Distribution Center Workforce • Supply Chain Technology: Research Analyst Panel Shares Trends • New Innovations in WMS: Features & Functionality • Tomorrow's Panama Canal: CEO Albert Aleman Zubieta • Supply Chain Legislative Forecast • Women's Leadership & Networking in the Supply Chain Field • Emerging Sourcing Markets • Global Economic Outlook 2009 For more information or to register, contact Holly Weinhold at holly.weinhold@rila.org or (703) 600-2044. The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) promotes consumer choice and economic freedom through public policy and industry operational excellence. Its members include retailers, product manufacturers, and service suppliers--which together provide millions of jobs and operate more than 100,000 stores, manufacturing facilities and distribution centers domestically and abroad.