Many FSA members ask about the namesake of the association’s scholarship program, John J. Murphy. For 14 years, he was Executive Director of the association and the visionary of FSA, according to FSA Chair of the Board David Domencic, Senior Director Transportation Procurement with Armada.

“John saw the need to combine the rail/3PL and motor carrier conferences with the shipper community, and he also doubled membership participation during his tenure and look where we are today,” says Domencic. “He clearly left a strong legacy for the food shippers community.”

History of the Scholarship: FSA Giving Back

John Murphy was one of the longstanding members of FSA both as a food manufacturer and FSA staff member. He spent more than 40 years in transportation, of which the last half was at The Borden Food Co. Most importantly, he understood and progressed the values of FSA to be an educational and networking resource that could be influential in driving change in the industry.

For years, FSA has sponsored a scholarship program in Murphy’s name. Eligible applicants are children or dependents (including spouses) of a supply chain or logistics employee who is a member of the association.

Announcing 2026 Scholarship Recipients

This year, FSA awarded scholarships to six applicants. FSA averages $24,000 of awards every year, which is funded by member company dues.

1st Place ($7,500): Andrew Nepstad, studying Supply Chain and Finance, Iowa State University (Parent: Matt Nepstad, Senior Manager, North American Warehousing, General Mills).

2nd Place ($5,000): Celeste Urdal, studying Business and Supply Chain, University of South Carolina (Parent: Tom Urdal, Bush Brothers & Company).

3rd Place, $4,000 Scholarship: Aubrey Pixler, studying Aerospace Engineering at University of Notre Dame, (Holly Pixler, Senior Director Transportation with Arden Mills).

4th Place ($3,000 Scholarship): Sophie Hutchison, studying Psychology, Boise State University (Parent: Glenn Hutchison, J.R. Simplot Company).

5th Place ($2,000 Scholarship): Emma Bausch, studying Business and Marketing, Fairfield University (Parent: Jeff Bausch, Bozzutos).

6th Place ($1,000 Scholarship): Nicholas Ferrel, studying Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics at The University of Alabama (Parent: Hector Ferrel, McLane Food Service/Vantix).

“My interest in supply chain career began at home with my father spending his career at General Mills,” says Andrew Nepstad, as he reflects on how he decided to get involved in the supply chain industry. “Conversations about transportation and warehousing were a normal part of my childhood. Through my dad’s work, I came to understand just how complex it is and how much effort it takes to get through that improvement status. Today as a sophomore at Iowa State University, I've enjoyed my coursework so far and I'm excited to apply what I've learned in a real world setting through my internship this summer. This scholarship will make a real difference for me. It allows me to focus on my academics and leadership opportunities. I'm involved in campus while continuing to pursue my long-term goals in this field.”

Related Articles:

• Driven to Deliver: Future Supply Chain Leaders Earn FSA Scholarships to Fuel Their Dreams (2025)
• Aspirations of Young People: Potential Careers in the Supply Chain (2024)
• FSA Helping Individuals through Scholarships (2023)
• FSA Scholarship Program (History and Past Recipients) 

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