Architects of Efficiency: Command Alkon Leaders Win Top Supply Chain Award

HILLIARD, Ohio – March 17, 2026 – In a significant nod to the technological transformation sweeping through foundational industries, two key executives from Command Alkon have been honored with the 2026 Pros to Know award by Supply & Demand Chain Executive. Todd Koch and Tim Oakes were recognized for their exceptional leadership in turning industrial platform technology into a strategic advantage, a distinction that highlights their pivotal roles in modernizing the heavy building materials supply chain.

Koch, who leads plant automation product strategy, was celebrated in the prestigious Leaders in Excellence category. Oakes, the Senior Vice President and Global Head of Fleet Solutions, was named a Top Transportation Innovator. The awards, which are vetted through a rigorous, merit-based process where nominees are judged blindly on their submitted achievements, underscore the impact of their work at the leading software provider for the construction materials industry.

The Innovators and Their Impact

The recognition of Todd Koch and Tim Oakes is not merely ceremonial; it points to specific, high-impact contributions in two of the most critical and challenging areas of the heavy materials sector: plant operations and fleet logistics. Their work represents a direct response to the industry's need for greater efficiency, precision, and resilience.

Todd Koch brings over 25 years of experience in steering large-scale digital transformations for billion-dollar organizations. His career is marked by a consistent ability to overhaul complex systems for better customer outcomes. Prior to joining Command Alkon, he spearheaded the modernization of Greyhound’s digital platform, a project that fundamentally streamlined the customer journey and boosted long-term value. He now applies that same forward-thinking approach to Command Alkon’s plant automation strategy, developing technologies that empower concrete, aggregate, and asphalt producers to optimize their operations, reduce waste, and ensure consistent product quality.

Tim Oakes's expertise is rooted in the complex world of fleet management. As the former CEO of Digital Fleet, he was instrumental in rebuilding the company, shaping a product vision laser-focused on the unique demands of the ready-mix and construction materials industries. His deep background in software engineering and technical product management has been crucial in addressing the intricate logistical puzzles of heavy materials transport. At Command Alkon, Oakes now oversees the company's entire fleet management portfolio, driving the development of integrated technologies that provide real-time visibility, optimize routes, and improve the overall performance of fleets that are the lifeblood of any construction project.

“Todd and Tim exemplify the kind of forward-thinking leadership that helps our customers navigate increasingly complex value chains,” said Martin Willoughby, CEO of Command Alkon. “Their work in plant automation and fleet technology is helping heavy building materials producers operate more efficiently, deliver higher-quality products, and ultimately strengthen the resilience of the construction supply chain.”

Solving the Toughest Problems in Construction

The heavy building materials supply chain is notoriously complex. It deals with products that are often perishable, like ready-mix concrete which has a limited window for delivery and use. Materials are heavy, making transportation a major cost center. Furthermore, the entire ecosystem operates on just-in-time principles, where a delay in a single concrete truck can halt a multi-million dollar construction project, causing cascading financial and scheduling consequences.

Koch’s work in plant automation directly addresses the front end of this chain. By integrating advanced software and controls into batch plants, producers can achieve a level of precision and consistency that is difficult to replicate manually. This leads to higher-quality materials, less waste, and more predictable production cycles. In an industry facing persistent labor shortages, this automation also allows producers to do more with their existing workforce, freeing up skilled operators to focus on higher-value tasks.

Meanwhile, Oakes’s focus on fleet innovation tackles the journey from the plant to the jobsite. His solutions move beyond simple GPS tracking to offer a holistic view of logistics. This includes real-time vehicle diagnostics to prevent costly breakdowns, intelligent dispatching that can adapt to traffic and jobsite changes, and digital ticketing that eliminates paperwork and disputes. By optimizing routes and minimizing idle time, these technologies not only save fuel and reduce emissions but also ensure that materials arrive precisely when and where they are needed, enhancing the efficiency of the entire construction project.

A Blueprint for a Digitally-Powered Industry

The dual awards serve as a powerful validation of Command Alkon’s strategic focus on attracting and empowering top-tier talent to solve industry-specific problems. In a competitive landscape that includes both niche software vendors and large, generalist technology firms, the company’s 50 years of dedicated focus on heavy materials provides a distinct advantage. The work of Koch and Oakes demonstrates how this deep domain expertise, when combined with cutting-edge technological skill, creates a powerful engine for innovation.

This approach is central to the concept of 'industrial platform technology'—the creation of an integrated digital ecosystem that connects every part of the value chain. Instead of relying on a patchwork of disconnected systems for production, dispatch, and accounting, Command Alkon’s platform approach provides a single source of truth. This integration breaks down data silos, enabling producers to make smarter, data-driven decisions that improve everything from raw material procurement to final delivery and billing.

The broader industry is taking notice of the critical importance of such advancements. “When it comes to overcoming supply chain disruption, this year's pack of supply chain leaders left no stone unturned,” notes Marina Mayer, editor-in-chief of Food Logistics and Supply & Demand Chain Executive. “They innovated, developed and executed on all cylinders, providing solutions, technologies and processes that move product from Point A to Point B in a way that almost seems seamless.”

The digital transformation led by figures like Koch and Oakes is not just about improving profit margins for individual companies. It is about building a more resilient, efficient, and sustainable foundation for the entire construction sector, which is critical for economic growth and the development of modern infrastructure. By making the production and delivery of essential materials smarter and more connected, they are helping to build the future, one load of concrete at a time.