Register Now for the ISM Houston Monthly Professional Development Meeting October 13, 2025 – Silent Costs in Supply Chain

This Event Reminder is Sponsored by:

Institute for Supply Management
We advance the strategy and practice of integrated, end-to-end supply chain management through leading edge data-driven resources, community, and education to empower individuals, create organizational value and drive competitive advantage.

Neil Z. Platt

Neil Z. Platt is a change-management and process-excellence leader, with 30+ years’ experience
in global work processes and procurement. He has led international activities in over two dozen
countries. His diverse background includes both corporate and field office assignments covering
facilities maintenance and construction, as well as both procurement management and strategic
sourcing (category management), leading international activities in over two dozen countries.

As Global Process Excellence Lead for Shell Oil Company, he recently delivered Shell’s first
multi-year global maintenance strategy, covering $8B annually. His previous roles include Global
Work Process Lead, where he was charged with optimizing multi-billion dollar spend on maintenance
and reliability through integration with procurement and logistics, as well as Global Procurement
Category Manager responsible for a $3.5B portfolio. Currently, Neil serves as Strategic Advisor
to PEMEX Deer Park Supply Chain department.

Neil’s stories “from the field” will be taken from a rich supply chain career, exploring his
real-world experience of the “silent costs” that impact the Oil & Gas industry. A graduate
of Texas A&M University and an Eagle Scout, Neil is a member of the Texas A&M Industry
Advisory Council. He previously was a member of the Construction Industry Institute Research
Team 242, and a presenter at the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM).

Linda McAlpin

Linda McAlpin is a global supply chain and compliance leader with over 23 years of experience
driving operational excellence and transformation across the energy, maritime, and technology
sectors. Originally from the UK, she brings a truly international perspective, having led
strategic programs and high-performing teams across Europe, the Middle East, and North America.

In her current role at Air Products, Linda leads compliance initiatives under the U.S. Inflation
Reduction Act, bridging regulatory requirements with practical execution on multi-billion-dollar
projects. Her expertise spans strategic contract management, risk mitigation, and embedding
Continuous Improvement and Change Management practices to unlock sustainable value.

Drawing on her global experience, Linda will share insights on the “silent costs” that impact
supply chain performance—illuminating hidden compliance challenges and revealing opportunities
for resilience and long-term value creation. She holds an MBA from the University of Liverpool,
a Business Management credential from the University of Cambridge, and is a Certified Lean
Practitioner.

Daniel Berg

Senior Vice President of Corporate Strategy, CPRS

Dan Berg is the Senior Vice President of Corporate Strategy at CPRS, which solves payment-accuracy
problems for the world’s largest corporations. Known for his forward-thinking mindset and
collaborative leadership, Dan brings a tenacious, solutions-oriented approach to helping clients
optimize performance and uncover measurable value. His leadership has been central in positioning
CPRS as the trusted partner for organizations seeking to safeguard payments, strengthen supplier
relationships, and achieve sustainable cost recovery.

Dan has led numerous departments during his nearly 20-year tenure at CPRS, working directly with
the company’s top 5 clients who have all been with CPRS for more than a decade.