The American Public University (APU) was the first university to offer both Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Master of Arts (MA) programs in Reverse Logistics Management. One of the first students in both reverse logistics programs was Rich Bulger, who finished his Masters of Reverse Logistics Management from APU in October 2023. Rich is the CEO of RecirQ, a sustainability company in Miami, Florida.

In an interview with Rich, he said that this APU program was a journey that began when he learned about this program while serving on the Reverse Logistics Association (RLA) Advisory Board. Tony Sciarrotta, Executive Director of RLA and APU worked together to create the APU reverse logistics course topics and real-world industry case studies for the classes, which Rich used to help expand his revision of the reverse logistics supply chain.

Rich was asked to describe his journey toward the world of reverse logistics:

Rich said, “I’m just a kid from Missouri who barely made it through high school. I wasn’t a dedicated student, and with my father absent since elementary school, I faced challenges early on. Recognizing that diving straight into college would likely lead to failure, I needed to learn self-reliance. So, at 17, I joined the Army right after high school. The ASVAB, known to service members, is more of an aptitude than an academic test, unlike the ACT or SAT. My scores were high, but I chose to be a truck driver to stay close to home, selecting the 101st Airborne Division, not realizing then its reputation as one of the most decorated and frequently deployed units in U.S. military history.

Leaving the Army after three years, I carried with me a GI Bill that kick-started my next steps, no debt, and a crucial realization: to achieve something, all I needed to do was begin. My time in the Army was invaluable. Looking back, I’m grateful for my foresight at 17 to understand that I wasn’t ready to step into the world without the life lessons the military provided. My college career was a much different story than my high school career. I finished my master’s with a 4.0 GPA, a far cry away from my failing marks in high school. Once I learned how to work, I haven’t stopped. The military gave me the confidence and courage to rapidly rise through the ranks in the corporate world and I would not be here today without the people I served with in the Army.”

Rich continued to explain his experience as the Reverse Logistics Director at Verizon and his tenure as Cisco Systems’ Global Reverse Logistics Director, this program represented an unmatched opportunity. That real-world experience taught him that reverse logistics was a niche yet crucial area in modern supply chains. When he started with APU, he said that there was not a corporate training program that specialized in returns management, and he wanted to learn if we could leverage this program as a training ground my team could for development.”

Rich was asked to describe why he chose the master’s programs at AMU:

Rich said, “That is an easy question to answer. I was becoming a member of the AMU program with other students who are motivated enough to invest their time in a master’s degree program was a unique talent discovery opportunity. And that the military presence within the classroom added a unique dimension, resonating with his own military service and provided a common ground for shared experiences and perspectives.”

When asked to describe this AMU program experience, he said, “during my time at APU, I was able to apply my learning to significantly impact the reverse logistics operations at Cisco. My team and I played a crucial role in transforming this division from a cost center into a revenue-generating operation, which was instrumental in Cisco receiving three Top Gartner Supply Chain awards. In June 2022, I transitioned to the role of CEO at RecirQ, a sustainability-focused company in Miami. At RecirQ, which boasts a team of 150 employees, we are on track to generate over $120 million in revenue this year by helping recirculate used equipment from one customer to the next. Courses at APU, including Best Practices of Reverse Logistics, Technology in Reverse Logistics, and Green Logistics, were instrumental in developing RecirQ’s business plan, enhancing our Warehouse Management System, and formulating our sustainability strategy, which contributed to our achievement of R2 Industry certification.”

Rich explains that his time at APU as well at RLA was invaluable and is grateful for the faculty and students and corporate executives and workers he has met. And as an extra bonus to his education at APU, he has compiled a book titled “Going Circular: How Reverse Logistics Has Evolved into a Competitive Weapon.” This work redefines reverse logistics in the post-Covid-19 era, shifting its perception from a necessary evil to an essential tool for sales growth and circular economy. Aimed at professionals in the field, his “Going Circular” book positions reverse logistics as a strategic tool for increasing revenue, business sustainability, and supply chain success. His book is currently scheduled to be published by Brown Publishing and will be available in February 2024.

The RLA is providing a complimentary copy to everyone who is attending their annual conference from February 6th to 8th in Las Vegas and copies to his professors at APU plus the library. He explained that “He didn’t just want a degree, my goal is to contribute back to the RLA, APU, and the institutions that equipped me with the knowledge to tackle significant supply chain challenges in reverse logistics.”

Rich’s experience and relationship with many faculty and students has enabled him to make great friends and build a piece of work. With students like Rich, there are plenty of opportunities at conferences such as RLA and in the APU classrooms to spark discussions about how to grow the next generation of supply chain leaders.

So, congratulations to RLA and APU for the reverse logistics programs. But a special congratulatory note to Rich Bulger who will walk across the graduation isle in May 2024 and shake the hand of APU President Nuno Fernandes and many other faculty members. And when at RLA events, be sure to shake his hand as well.

---

Dr. Oliver Hedgepeth of American Public University and Rich Bulger of RecirQ

Dr. Oliver Hedgepeth
American Public University
William Oliver Hedgepeth is a professor of logistics at American Public University System (APUS). He has a Ph.D. and a master’s degree in engineering management from Old Dominion University. He has graduate work in Nuclear Engineering from Catholic University of America. His B.S. degree is in chemistry and mathematics from Atlantic Christan College. He was recognized with the Reverse Logistics Education Award from the Reverse Logistics Association (RLA) in 2021 for his contributions to the field of reverse logistics education.

Richard Bulger
RecirQ
Richard Bulger has a master’s degree in reverse logistics from American Public University. RecirQ is a sustainability-focused company in Miami. At RecirQ, which boasts a team of 150 employees, we are on track to generate over $120 million in revenue this year by helping recirculate used equipment from one customer to the next. Courses at APU, including Best Practices of Reverse Logistics, Technology in Reverse Logistics, and Green Logistics, were instrumental in developing RecirQ’s business plan, enhancing our Warehouse Management System, and formulating our sustainability strategy, which contributed to our achievement of R2 Industry certification.