It turns out that Georgia Tech didn't have to look very far. Bartholdi has been an ISyE professor since 1980. He earned a B.S. in mathematics from the University of Florida in 1968, and served two tours of duty in Southeast Asia as a paratrooper before returning to Florida to complete a Ph.D. in operations research in 1977. He has also taught at the University of Michigan and the East China Technological Institute in the People's Republic of China.

Dr. Bartholdi's current interests involve problems of warehousing and distribution. He pursues wider interests in mechanics, voting, and biology.

"Dr. Bartholdi has built a significant reputation in the application of methodology to important logistics problems," says ISyE Chair John Jarvis. "This appointment recognizes these accomplishments and his service to the School in enhancing its reputation and capabilities in the area of supply chain management. We expect that the resources of the Chair will accelerate his and the School's growth in the field."

The chair is funded through a $1.8 million gift from Manhattan Associates Chairman and ISyE Board Member, Alan Dabbiere.