1. December 27, 2016
To Whom it May Concern:
I am pleased to recommend Mary Kate Hilmes for a position in your organization. Mary
Kate recently completed two upper-level courses I teach in the Department of Marketing at
Missouri State University.
The Logistics Models course Mary Kate completed emphasizes business modeling and
problem solving. We address decision-making situations faced by managers in the areas of
product mix selection, production and labor force planning, transportation, supply chain
network design, and inventory management. The course uses a case study approach that
requires students to discuss realistic business problems in-class and communicate the
results of problem solving exercises using case study data in writing via executive summary
report assignments. Mary Kate is proficient in building Excel models to support
managerial decisions as a result of completing the course.
Mary Kate demonstrated a great deal of interest in the subject matter and a good ability
to understand the material in the course. She consistently completed all work and her
course performance was outstanding. Mary Kate frequently participated in class discussion
and in some cases she worked ahead in the material and used approaches to solving
problems presented to the students that were not discussed in class. Mary Kate also
completed my course in Supply Chain Management, where again she was an outstanding
contributor in class discussions and showed great interest in understanding important
managerial issues in this field. It is a pleasure to teach students such as Mary Kate who are
enthusiastic about learning.
I recommend Mary Kate to your organization and am confident she will make a positive
contribution. Please contact me at BarryCobb@MissouriState.edu or 417-836-5561 if I can
provide any additional information.
Sincerely,
Barry R. Cobb
Associate Professor
DEPARTMENT OF MARKETING
901 S. National Avenue • Springfield, Missouri 65897 • 417-836-5413 • Fax 417-836-4466
www.missouristate.edu/mkt
An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution