Not everyone takes the time to consider how the products we depend on come into our lives. Rageh Aden didn’t really have a choice. Nearly every member of his extended family in the United States and in his home country of Tanzania works on some aspect of the supply chain, such as driving trucks, managing procurement, handling finances, and overseeing technology upgrades. Aden eagerly absorbed their knowledge about shipping, freightage, and delivery schedules and learned that supply chains and logistics connect every business sector.
“Freight never sleeps,” he said.
Aden’s early professional experience involved an internship at his aunt’s nongovernmental organization, Ghana Hope Foundation, which brings medical supplies from the U.S. to Ghana and other countries in Africa.
When the time came to enroll in college, Aden decided to strike out on his own and relocated to Atlanta. He earned a B.B.A. in management with a concentration in supply chain and operations management from Georgia State’s Robinson College of Business in 2021. He loved the campus culture and thrived downtown, but like many others, his experience was shaken by the pandemic. Upon graduation, Aden was hired as an account coordinator at Nolan Transportation Group, a third-party logistics company that provides shipping and warehousing services to companies across North America.
As an entry-level employee, Aden had many questions about the company’s operations. However, because many employees worked remotely, he did not have regular in-person contact to spur his acclimation.
“I had to get out of my comfort zone and bother as many people as possible so I could learn on the job,” he said.
He also came to trust that, as Murphy’s Law states, “anything that can go wrong will go wrong,” and that to be a professional in an industry with many moving parts, he has to know every aspect of the process to ensure all the small tasks get done correctly.
Aden has a knack for seeing the bigger picture and understanding how to get from point A to point B and beyond. But that’s not limited to his supply chain knowledge. He has a long-term vision for his career, driven by the hunger to learn and grow. He describes himself as “a panther through and through” and knew that earning a Master of International Business from Robinson would propel his development.
“I had a lot to learn,” Aden said. “I was told the best way to do that was to go back to school and expand my knowledge.”
The program elevated Aden’s global perspective and made him think of the supply chain on a macro level. He also learned that a company providing a needed service can work hard to find or create a market.
Aden wrapped up his master’s in summer 2023. The following spring, he landed an account executive position with Carpool Logistics, an Atlanta-based startup that activates advanced technologies to ship vehicles to auto dealers, manufacturers, auctions, and individuals.
Aden’s role merges his lifelong connection to supply chain and logistics with the skills he gained at Robinson. He contributes to all aspects of the company’s operations, constantly remembering the larger picture and making sure customers are satisfied every step of the way.
“I feel pride in knowing I have a role in getting a car safely to its owner,” he said. “The clients, whether individuals, auctions, or dealerships, send us thank you notes for our work. Receiving gratitude for our service is the most fulfilling part of what I do.”