Noted analyst Fontanella dies

Noted analyst Fontanella dies John Fontanella, vice president of research at AMR Research and a respected analyst of the retail and supply chain industries, died Sunday. He was 60.

Fontanella

   Fontanella, who initially joined Boston-based AMR in 1998 and after a brief hiatus returned in 2006 as vice president of research, was responsible for studying radio frequency identification technology and applications, the wholesale distribution industry, global trade, supply chain visibility, supply chain security, and supply chain event management.
   From 2004 to 2006, Fontanella served as a senior vice president of research services at Aberdeen Group, and vice president of supply chain services at Yankee Group.
   Prior to joining AMR in 1998, Fontanella's lengthy career included serving as director of worldwide logistics for Microsoft Corp. and 15 years with Digital Equipment Corp. in a variety of operations and marketing positions, including U.S. distribution manager and head of the firm's supply chain consulting practice.
   Tony Friscia, chief executive officer and president of AMR, said Fontanella's vast expertise had made him a trusted advisor to many in the supply chain and logistics industry.
   'Beyond his depth of knowledge, he brought passion to his work,' Friscia said. 'Professionally, he will be missed by his colleagues and friends at AMR, and more broadly by the extensive supply chain community in which he so capably contributed.'
   Fontanella, who held a B.A. from St. Anselm College and an M.B.A. from Suffolk University, was also highly prolific as an analyst. During his time with AMR, he authored or co-authored hundreds of analytic reports on a vast breadth of industry topics.
   Past and present colleagues also remembered Fontanella for his long hours and seemingly limitless drive.
   'Beneath his apparently mellow exterior was a person who would do whatever was needed to finish a project — work nights, weekends, fly anywhere, anytime — always with the goal of getting it 'right,' ' said Paula Rosenblum, who worked at AMR with Fontanella for many years before leaving to co-found Retail Systems Research.
   'He had great instincts and was an 'analyst's analyst,' ' she said.
   Beth Enslow, senior vice president of supply chain risk management at Marsh Inc. and a former Aberdeen colleague, remembered Fontanella for his passion to inform and educate the industry.
   'John’s unending enthusiasm for the field and his constant striving to understand the newest advances will be sorely missed. His constant quest to spot 'the next big thing' in the supply chain world set the bar for all of us in the analyst community,' Enslow said.
   'His good cheer, optimism and smile will always be remembered by those of us lucky enough to have known him,' she added.
   Fontanella is survived by his son Steve, American Shipper's East Coast sales manager; daughter Jessie; and his partner Martha Hunter.
   Condolences, cards and/or flowers can be sent to the Fontanella Family, 51 Rockledge Dr., North Falmouth, MA 02556.