Biography - William O Hedgepeth

My name is William Oliver Hedgepeth, and I have a confession to make: To my great surprise, I have found that I love teaching online. This is not a new venture for me. Years ago I helped orchestrate and set up a fledgling distance delivery program. At that time, I had no idea I’d be given this opportunity with the American Public University System to be the Program Director for one of its growing and expanding online teaching programs.

As Program Director for the Transportation and Logistics Management Program, I am excited to tell the story of all the wonderful, challenging and exciting courses we have to offer. We teach logistics, transportation, supply chain management, courses on hazardous materials and a host of other equally diverse programs - and that’s just in the TLMT program!

I especially enjoy teaching my military friends -- new friends as well as old friends transitioning into a new life. I was a guest lecturer at the Army Logistics Management College many years ago where I learned to respect the soldier student’s unique time constraints. While there and since, I have enjoyed teaching students stationed around the globe, especially in the Middle East. The military is a time-honored profession and I consider it a privilege to assist these young men and women as they work through various degree programs while giving back to their country. From my years of experience, students choosing APUS have chosen well!

My background, it seems, has been leading to my current position with APUS. Prior to joining the APUS team, I was a tenured Associate Professor of Logistics at the University of Alaska Anchorage. My research and teaching interests there were similar to those at APUS. There I taught military logistics, global logistics, transportation, supply chain management, lean operations, RFID technology, disaster logistics, knowledge management, seafood logistics, business logistics, and project management.

Prior to joining UAA in 2001, I taught at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va., from 1992 to 1995 as an adjunct, and was a guest lecturer for the Army Logistics Management College, 1985-1990. I earned my Ph.D. and Master’s degree from Old Dominion while also working for TRADOC (Training and Doctrine Command) at Fort Monroe, Va. My Master’s and doctorate are both in engineering management. My undergraduate degree is in chemistry and mathematics from Barton College in my hometown of Wilson, N.C. My dissertation was the analysis of 400 years of combat history using neural networks and traditional statistical methods.

For 28 years I was with the Department of Defense, employed as a civilian operations research analyst. I shuttled among the Pentagon, Crystal City, Fort Monroe, Fort Leavenworth, Fort Lee and Fort Belvoir while conducting cost and operational effectiveness analyses, developing computer models, and artificial intelligence applications for logistics and combat systems. I eventually rose to the rank of GS-15. For four of those years, I worked for DIA -- but I just lump all that in with the DOD work. It makes life’s little story easier to tell.

One of my really cool assignments was as the initial Director of the Artificial Intelligence Center for Army Logistics, Fort Lee, 1985-1990. I am also the former Director of Data Management for the Army Model Improvement Management Office, 1981-1984, Fort Leavenworth. After my life in DOD, I worked for GRCI, which eventually merged with ATT. While there I was a senior scientist for Army logistics program developments.

As for hobbies, I have recently taken up a former pastime -- watercolor painting. It relaxes me and helps keep my focus. It’s a good combination. Check it out. Reading, writing and sailing are high on my list as well. Sailing is done with the Chesapeake Bay in mind! Until my knees started bothering me, I was a runner. Ah, life!

My first book, "RFID Metrics," was published in 2007 by CRC Press. I am currently at work on my second book.

My wife, Elizabeth, and I have two adult children and four fantastic grandchildren. Being a grandparent really is one of life’s hidden rewards. And, yes, I do live on the beach, 10 feet from the golden sands of the Chesapeake Bay. That is a nice reward after nine years in a super beautiful place called Alaska, where indeed “Cares Fade Away,” and the average temperature is just “cold.”

My virtual door is always open. Send me an e-mail. Ask me questions about the program. You will often find me on the monthly Open House for the TLMT program. Join us sometime and see what we are all about.