With a strong interest in data, optimization, and real-world problem solving, Brian Blood found early that industrial engineering was the right fit. He also gravitated toward supply chain and logistics applications. A senior at Kansas State University when he received a $5,000 RMI Honor Scholarship, Blood ultimately turned coursework and internships into a data-driven career.
Blood graduated in May 2025, earning both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees through Kansas State’s five-year industrial engineering program. Along the way, he gained hands-on experience through internships focused on large-scale operations, advanced analytics, and modern supply chain challenges.
RMI Scholarship Supported Industrial Engineering Education
Blood learned about the RMI scholarship opportunity during a Facility and Layout Design course at Kansas State. Professors and alumni who had previously received the scholarship discussed its role in supporting students pursuing careers in supply chain and material handling.
“That class focused heavily on volume planning, material handling, shipping, and receiving,” Blood explained. “I really enjoyed it, and that’s where I first heard about the scholarship program.”
RMI Honor Scholarships, underwritten by ASG Services, are part of the Material Handling Education Foundation, Inc. (MHEFI). Recipients may apply the funds to tuition, fees, books, and other education-related expenses. To be eligible, applicants must be enrolled full-time for an entire academic year. They must also plan a career in supply chain, logistics, or material handling. Scholarship recipients demonstrate leadership, dedication to excellence, persistence, and growth potential.
Although he applied for the scholarship as a freshman, Blood did not receive it initially. He re-applied again later in his academic career.
“I had already gotten good exposure to supply chain and material handling through internships and classes by that point,” he said. “Receiving the scholarship felt like a recognition that I was on the right path.”
Internships Built Real-World Supply Chain Experience
Blood completed multiple internships that helped shape his career direction. He interned in Halliburton’s supply chain management program, implementing Lean production and 5S process improvements. As an industrial engineering intern at The Walt Disney Company, he worked on large-scale linen and laundry operations supporting 2.8 million pounds of weekly throughput across 25 resorts.
“At Disney, I was doing warehouse and laundry optimization,” he said. “It was eye-opening to see how small process changes can scale across massive operations.”
During that internship, Blood developed a machine learning model to predict demand and support labor planning. He later interned with the data science arm of The Kroger Company, 84.51°. There, his work centered on facility planning, material handling, and space optimization.
“I was always interested in logistics and optimization,” Blood noted. “That combination of operations research, math, and coding really clicked for me.”
Launching a Data-Driven Supply Chain Career
Today, Blood is a full-time data scientist at 84.51° where he applies mathematical modeling and optimization techniques to real-world grocery supply chain challenges. His role allows him to focus on routing, logistics planning, and operational efficiency.
“One of the things I love most is that you can make really small improvements—half a percent, one percent—and when you scale that across a large network, it can mean millions of dollars,” he said. “That’s incredibly motivating.”
He also values the constant challenge the field presents.
“Every day brings new problems to solve,” Blood added. “If you enjoy problem solving and working with complex systems, supply chain and material handling offer a lot of opportunity.”
For students exploring industrial engineering or supply chain paths, Blood encourages curiosity and persistence.
“You really have to enjoy solving hard problems,” he said. “But if you do, you can make a real impact and have a lot of fun doing it. I genuinely enjoy waking up every day to do my job.”
Find More Resources About Supply Chain
To learn more about applying for a MHEFI or RMI scholarship, visit the Student Eligibility information site. Additional resources about careers in supply chain, material handling, and logistics can also be found at MHI.org.
