Pair recognized for advancing end-to-end supply chain innovation
Chattanooga, TN — April 16, 2026 — Supply & Demand Chain Executive today named Kenco’s Amy Kohout, Director of Transportation Client Solutions and Growth, Nija Owens, Industrial Engineer II, as recipients of the 2026 Pros to Know award.
Kohout earned recognition in Supply & Demand Chain Executive’s Top Transportation Innovators category. With 30+ years of proven logistics management, Kohout has led 17 transportation management system (TMS) implementations and converted her success into an integrated playbook to streamline, support and execute Kenco’s service offerings. Kohout has also chaired Kenco Women Igniting Change (KWIC), one of the company’s employee community networks, and was selected to Kenco’s inaugural Leaders Engaged in Advanced Development (LEAD) class in 2021.
“Being recognized as a Top Transportation Innovator is deeply meaningful after more than three decades in the industry. I’m grateful for the recognition and for the teams and relationships that have shaped my career. I’ve always believed leadership is about impact—showing up with intention and creating value through every interaction. At Kenco, that mindset drives how we turn experience into repeatable, scalable solutions that deliver meaningful results for our clients. I’m proud of the impact our team continues to make.” said Kohout.
Owens earned recognition in the Rising Star category. As a key member of the Supply Chain Solutions group, Owens bridged her engineering and program management expertise to scale digital transformation initiatives, implement complex systems and develop frameworks to accelerate enterprise alignment. She manages solutions tools for all verticals, and, in 2025, created digital signage in warehouses that increased productivity by 20%. Owens is involved in multiple organizations outside of Kenco, including the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers, the Project Management Institute, and Girls Inc.
“Receiving this award reinforces my passion for building solutions that make a measurable difference. Whether it’s scaling digital initiatives or improving operational efficiency, I’m excited to keep pushing innovation forward and contributing to the future of supply chain excellence.” said Owens.
“Kenco is truly an end-to-end supply chain partner, so we’re thrilled Supply & Demand Chain Executive highlighted our professionals across next-gen technology, transportation and supply chain engineering,” said David Caines, Chief Operations Officer at Kenco. “Amy and Nija are great examples of dedication at work, transforming not only our business but their communities as well.”
To view a full list of winners, visit https://digital.acbusinessmedia.com/SDC/MISC/59704_Pros2KnowChart.pdf
About Kenco
Kenco is a leading North American 3PL delivering custom, integrated logistics solutions that maximize supply chain efficiency. For more than 75 years, they have partnered with customers to provide distribution, transportation, material handling and automation solutions. Kenco’s people set the organization apart—experienced, committed associates who bring agility and expertise to even the most complex supply chain challenges. Guided by its mission and vision, Kenco innovates relentlessly to deliver solutions on a national scale with the care of a local provider, building trusted partnerships that keep goods moving and businesses growing.