Working in the transportation and supply chain industry is fast-paced and ever-changing. There’s always work to be done and ways to improve. Alumni Alex White ‘11 currently works as a Transportation Analyst at Belk. Although he didn’t realize it at the time, Alex credits his six years at The Franciscan School as a large reason for where he is today: “TFS helped build my educational and religious foundation as a student. The school gave me a firm foundation to set me up for success in the future.”

Alex and his family joined the TFS community when he was in third grade. He continued on through the school and graduated in 2011. He then attended Sanderson High School and graduated from North Carolina State University in 2019 with a bachelor’s in Business Administration with a concentration in Supply Chain Management. During his time at N.C. State University, Alex enjoyed participating in various clubs, organizations, and intramural sports. He shares that not only did he receive a great education and make lifelong friends, but he also continued to grow his Catholic faith by participating in the Catholic campus ministry. 

After living four years in Columbia, South Carolina, Alex and his wife recently moved to Birmingham, Alabama. Alex has worked at Belk since his college graduation, first as a Store Delivery Supervisor and then as a Transportation Analyst since March of 2022. Alex is responsible for supporting the execution of transportation activities across Belk’s international and domestic networks. Thinking about the future, Alex hopes to stay in the industry as it provides meaningful and productive value to his family. 

While at TFS, some of Alex’s favorite memories were from the field trips: Camp Hanes in 8th grade and Washington, D.C. in 7th and 8th grades (the only class that traveled there twice!). When thinking about which teachers made the most impact on him during his six years at TFS, he remembers Ms. Kowite in 8th grade English and Mrs. Putnam in 7th grade Social Studies. “Both Ms. Kowite and Mrs. Putnam were super passionate about their jobs and always kept their classes engaged,” says Alex. “They were also available to me when I needed help. They knew their impact as teachers.” 

Alex now enjoys playing indoor and sand volleyball in his free time, competing in tournaments a few times a year. He also spends time with his wife and stays active in his young adult Catholic group in the area. 

Thinking about what words of wisdom he would leave with current TFS students, Alex shares, “Don’t be scared to speak up for yourself and others, and never underestimate the impact that you can have on someone’s life.”