The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) has announced that Susan Spence will succeed Timothy R. Fiore as chair of its Manufacturing Business Survey Committee, effective June 2025.
Fiore, who has chaired the committee since 2017, is stepping down after overseeing the ISM Manufacturing PMI® during a series of pivotal global events, including the COVID-19 pandemic and related supply chain disruptions. Known for his composed leadership and economic insight, Fiore was instrumental in strengthening the index’s reputation as a trusted indicator of U.S. economic health.
“Susan Spence brings decades of supply management and leadership experience to the role,” ISM said in a statement. “She is well-positioned to guide the PMI into its next chapter.”
Spence retired from FedEx Corp. in 2023, where she served as vice president of the centralized Sourcing & Procurement group. Her team managed more than $25 billion in global procurement operations. Before FedEx, she held senior positions over 28 years at United Technologies Corporation, including roles at Pratt & Whitney and Sikorsky Aircraft.
Spence is an active contributor to industry boards and councils and received ISM’s J. Shipman Gold Medal Award in 2020 for career achievements in advancing the profession.
In her new role, Spence will oversee the Manufacturing ISM Report on Business, author the monthly report, and serve as the official spokesperson for the committee.
