Sheffi named director of Engineering Systems Division

September 26, 2007

Professor Yossi Sheffi has been appointed director of the Engineering Systems Division, effective Nov. 15, Dean of Engineering Subra Suresh announced this week.

Sheffi received his B.Sc. from Technion in Israel in 1975, his S.M. from MIT in 1977, and his Ph.D. from M.I.T. in 1978; he holds faculty appointments in the Engineering Systems Division and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. An expert in systems optimization, risk analysis and supply chain management, Sheffi serves as director of the MIT Center for Transportation and Logistics, a position he will continue to hold as ESD Director. Under his leadership, the center has experienced substantial growth, launching many educational, research, and industry/government outreach programs.

Sheffi is the author of numerous research articles and two books, including the bestseller “The Resilient Enterprise: Overcoming Vulnerability for Competitive Advantage” published by the MIT Press in 2005. It received rave reviews from the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and The Economist, as well as dozens of trade publications; The Financial Times chose it as one of the best business books of 2005; and it was awarded the “2005 Book of the Year” in the category of Business and Economics by Forward Magazine.

Since 1998, Sheffi has served as the director of MIT's Master of Engineering in Logistics degree, a program he founded. The program grew from 17 applications at its inception to hundreds of applications today, and has inspired the creation of dozens of similar programs worldwide.

In 2003, Sheffi founded and has since led the MIT-Zaragoza International Logistics Program, an international collaboration among academia, industry and government. This program has led to substantial economic growth in Aragon, and in 2006, he received the Aragon’s presidential award for “the most substantial contribution to the regional economy.”

Outside the university, Sheffi has consulted with numerous governments and leading manufacturing, retail and transportation enterprises around the world. He is also an active entrepreneur, having founded five successful companies, and is a sought-after speaker for corporate and professional events.

Sheffi has been recognized with numerous awards and honors in academic and industry forums and was on the cover of Purchasing Magazine and Transportation and Distribution Magazine. In 1997 he won the Distinguished Service Award, the highest honor given by the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. He is also a life fellow of Cambridge University’s Clare Hall College.

Dean Suresh also thanked Institute Professor Joel Moses, who has graciously served as the Interim Director of ESD since January 2006. He added that he is looking forward to working with Sheffi and colleagues in ESD.