BLF Co-Founder and Executive Director Rick Dana Barlow opens the Induction & Recognition ceremony. Greg Langlois, son of Mike Langlois, Bellwether Class of 2025, anticipates the start of the evening. Reuben Philip, Future Famers Class of 2025, listens to Clarium’s Marcelo Fracchia. Eric O’Daffer, the William J. McFaul Memorial Keynote speaker, chats with Reuben Philip, Future Famers Class of 2025, and Philip’s spouse Meghana Prabhu Bantwal. Meghana Prabhu Bantwal, spouse of Reuben Philip, Future Famers Class of 2025, encapsulates the emotions of the evening. Eric O’Daffer, the William J. McFaul Memorial Keynote speaker, acknowledges a personal reference from the podium. During his opening remarks, BLF Co-Founder and Executive Director Rick Barlow refers to a developing logistics service in space. Carl Meyer, Bellwether Class of 2019, recognized. Kristine Russell, Bellwether Class of 2017; Jacob Groenewold, Bellwether Class of 2021; and Dick Perrin, Bellwether Class of 2014, recognized. Karen Kresnik, Future Famers Class of 2017; and Jessica Hurd, Future Famers Class of 2019; recognized. Rachel Anderson, Future Famers Class of 2023, recognized. Future Famers Class of 2024’s Angie Bruns, Chico Manning and Corey Schmidt recognized. BLF Chairman Barbara Strain, Bellwether Class of 2021, welcomes attendees. Strain introduces Wayne State University’s Kevin Ketels. WSU’s Kevin Ketels extends his appreciation for hosting BLFIRE18 and advising the student team conducting the Collegiate Capstone Project with Corewell Health. Piedmont Healthcare’s Joe Colonna introduces the William J. McFaul Memorial Keynote, and shares some personal and professional memories of Bill, who was inducted into the inaugural Bellwether Class of 2008. Eric O’Daffer, the William J. McFaul Memorial Keynote speaker, talks about “The Spirit of Giving in Healthcare Supply Chain Entrepreneurship: A Bellwether Perspective.” Vizient’s John Grande, Founding Sustaining and Scholarship Sponsor, and George Godfrey, Bellwether Class of 2025, listens. SMI’s Jane Pleasants, Bellwether Class of 2015, appreciates what she hears. Eric O’Daffer (foreground), and Joe and Ann Colonna (background). BLF Outreach Ambassador Fred Crans, Bellwether Class of 2020, salutes veterans on the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps. and on Veterans Day Eve. Rachel Anderson, Future Famers Class of 2023, introduces the first Future Famer in the 2025 class. Reuben Philip waits to approach the podium. BLF Chairman Barbara Strain welcomes Reuben Philip, Future Famers Class of 2025. Clarium’s Reuben Philip, Future Famers Class of 2025, expresses his appreciation for the honor. Vizient’s John Grande, Founding Sustaining and Scholarship Sponsor, introduces Andrea Poulopolous, Future Famers Class of 2025. BLF Chairman Barbara Strain welcomes Andrea Poulopolous, Future Famers Class of 2025. Corewell Health’s Andrea Poulopolous, Future Famers Class of 2025, shares highlights of her career path into healthcare. Angie Bruns, Future Famers Class of 2024, introduces Nicole Schmidt, RT (R)(VI), Future Famers Class of 2025. BLF Chairman Barbara Strain welcomes Nicole Schmidt, RT (R)(VI), Future Famers Class of 2025. The University of Kansas Health’s Nicole Schmidt, RT (R)(VI), Future Famers Class of 2025, talks about her career experiences. Vance Moore, Bellwether Class of 2019, introduces Allison Corry, Ammer Honoree Class of 2025. BLF Chairman Barbara Strain welcomes Allison Corry, Ammer Honoree Class of 2025. Allison Corry, Ammer Honoree of 2025, shares key themes of her career journey to date. BLF Chairman Barbara Strain welcomes Jason Moulding, Ammer Honoree Class of 2025. Jason Moulding, Ammer Honoree Class of 2025, walks attendees through his career milestones. Fellow Ammer Honoree classmates Allison Corry and Jason Moulding share a light-hearted moment on stage. Fellow Ammer Honoree classmates Allison Corry and Jason Moulding share a light-hearted moment on stage. BLF Outreach Ambassador Fred Crans, Bellwether Class of 2020, introduces George Godfrey, Bellwether Class of 2025. BLF Chairman Barbara Strain welcomes George Godfrey, Bellwether Class of 2025. Baptist Health South Florida’s George Godfrey, Bellwether Class of 2025, leads a verbal walk through his career experiences. Wearing a special commemorative T-shirt, Arizona State University’s Eugene Schneller, Ph.D., Bellwether Class of 2024, introduces Jo Klein (1949-2024), Bellwether Class of 2025. Klein’s spouse Bert Klein accepts the award via exclusive audio recording. Sue Tyk, Bellwether Class of 2022, introduces Mike Langlois, Bellwether Class of 2025. BLF Chairman Barbara Strain welcomes Mike Langlois, Bellwether Class of 2025. Mike Langlois, Bellwether Class of 2025, highlights his career, celebrates his family and expresses appreciation for Hall of Fame induction at his alma mater, Wayne State University. St. Onge’s Tom Redding, BLF Silver Sustaining Sponsor, introduces Joni Rittler, Bellwether Class of 2025. BLF Chairman Barbara Strain welcomes Joni Rittler, Bellwether Class of 2025. Joni Rittler, Bellwether Class of 2025, regales the crowd with how she navigated through many challenges in her successful career, weaving song titles into her acceptance speech. BLF Advisory Council Chairman and Board Member Gary Rakes, Bellwether Class of 2021, introduces the pioneering Claude Trafas (1923-2015), Bellwether Class of 2025, just minutes after arriving at the ceremony due to several flight cancellations brought about by the federal government shutdown. BLF Co-Founder and Executive Director Rick Barlow introduces the pioneering hospital CEO and VHA Co-Founder Pat Neff Groner (1920-2012), Bellwether Class of 2025, and reads an acceptance letter on behalf of the Groner family by Groner’s granddaughter, Jennifer Groner Koebel. Fred Crans, Bellwether Class of 2020, leads a tribute to veterans in the audience and to those who have been honored by BLF for 18 years. Fred Crans, Bellwether Class of 2020, bestows upon Barlow the honor of being the second recipient of the “prestigious Fred Crans Pants Award (FCPA),” which grants the awardee access to an exclusive cadre of creative and deep thinkers who wear eye-catching trousers that turn heads and inspire discussions. The first recipient was Randy Bradley, Ph.D., Ammer Honoree Class of 2020, back in August. Barlow promptly donned the lighthouse-themed trousers at the podium. Fred Crans, Bellwether Class of 2020, bestows upon Barlow the honor of being the second recipient of the “prestigious Fred Crans Pants Award (FCPA),” which grants the awardee access to an exclusive cadre of creative and deep thinkers who wear eye-catching trousers that turn heads and inspire discussions. The first recipient was Randy Bradley, Ph.D., Ammer Honoree Class of 2020, back in August. Barlow promptly donned the lighthouse-themed trousers at the podium. BLF’s Rick Barlow salutes Sustaining, Event and Alumni Sponsors and Donors. Rachel Anderson, Future Famers Class of 2023, highlights BLF’s Philanthropy and Professional Development programs, including the Collegiate Capstone Projects, scholarships, Supply Chain Maturity Assessment Tool (SCMAT), Fireside Chats, online Leaders & Luminaries magazine and “REMEMBER” e-newsletter and podcasts. Rick Barlow closes BLFIRE18 and invites attendees to nominate candidates for 2026 Bellwether, Ammer Honoree and Future Famers classes to be honored at BLFIRE19.