44th Annual Patterson Lecture: Mario Harik, Chairman & CEO, XPO

Northwestern University Transportation Center's 44th Annual William A. Patterson Transportation Lecture:

WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 2026 | 7:30 PM

Walter Athletics Center

2255 Campus Drive, Evanston, Illinois

Mario Harik leads the execution of XPO's strategy, including growth investments in customer service excellence and employee satisfaction. Leveraging his previous service as XPO’s chief information officer, Mr. Harik also oversees the expansion of network capacity and proprietary technology that are transforming the company’s operations. Prior to XPO, Mr. Harik held positions as chief information officer and senior vice president of research and development with Oakleaf Waste Management, chief technology officer with Tallan, Inc., and co-founder and chief architect of web and voice applications with G3 Analyst. He holds a master’s degree in engineering, information technology from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and a degree in engineering, computer and communications from the American University of Beirut in Lebanon. Mr. Harik also serves as chairman of XPO's board of directors, and is on the board of directors of QXO, Inc.

PATTERSON LECTURE ORIGIN:

NUTC's annual is named for William A. "Pat" Patterson. A central figure in the United States air transport industry for more than four decades, Patterson served as president and chairman of United Airlines from 1934 until his retirement in 1966. He was a life trustee of Northwestern University and was instrumental in the establishment and strategic leadership of the Northwestern University Transportation Center.

In Patterson's honor, Northwestern established the in 1978. The Patterson Chair serves as an intellectual focal point for transportation research and education at Northwestern, most of which is coordinated through the NUTC.

In 1980, the NUTC established the Patterson Transportation Lecture as an integral part of the Patterson Endowment. It has since become an annual highlight at Northwestern University, drawing influential speakers from all facets of the transportation industry.

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Host or Publisher Northwestern University Transportation Center