Shelves sit empty at a Walmart in Anchorage, Alaska, on Jan. 8, 2022. Shortages at U.S. grocery stores have grown in recent weeks as new problems — like the fast-spreading omicron variant and severe weather — have piled on to the supply chain struggles and labor shortages that have plagued retailers since the coronavirus pandemic began. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
JEFFERSON CITY — Nearly two months after creating a task force to tackle international supply chain issues, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson has picked all the members of the panel.
Parson, who called the supply chain delays a “crisis” in November, named five people to the committee, which will hold its first meeting on Jan. 20 with an eye on submitting a final report in June.
Although two months have passed, retailers and manufacturers continue to face challenges in getting products to customers, resulting in higher costs for consumers.
A shortage of computer chips, for example, has been linked to a surge in the price of cars and trucks, while the omicron variant is keeping warehouse and port workers at home, leading to shortages of other products.
Parson’s picks include Chris Gutierrez, president, Kansas City SmartPort Inc.; Mary Lamie, executive vice president of Multi Modal Enterprises at Bi-State Development; Caitlin Murphy, founder and CEO of Global Gateway Logistics; Dustin Quesenberry, vice president of operations, Contract Freighters Inc.; and Todd Spencer, president of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association.
