2026 Instructors
The instructors invited to teach at the University of Innovative Distribution are renowned wholesale distribution thought leaders. They are university professors, industry experts, authors, and consultants. Although many of our instructors have been with UID since its inception, the program strives to recruit individuals who have the expertise and/or offer a unique perspective on problem-solving or addressing the latest industry topics. Find out more about our instructors below.
Aaron ProiettiOpening Keynote & Tuesday's General Session SpeakerAaron Proietti is a thought leader in the use of innovation, systems thinking, and artificial intelligence to explore complexity, clarify strategy, and unlock new ways of seeing. His talks give audiences sharper questions, stronger language, and practical approaches they can use right away. | Alex ChausovskyIn his investment banking advisory role as the Director of Analytics and Consulting for Bundy Group, Alex Chausovsky is a trusted resource and advisor for owners and executives of privately held firms and industry trade associations on analytical, economic, and business-oriented topics. |
Benjamin CohenNew to UIDBenj Cohen is the founder and CEO of Proton.ai, the leading AI-powered CRM for distributors. His mission is to help distributors sell smarter and grow faster. Benj’s journey started at Benco Dental, his family’s distribution business founded in 1930. With a deep understanding of distributors’ needs, he founded Proton.ai while studying data science at Harvard. | Bob DeStefanoBob DeStefano is a B2B Marketing Strategist and Fractional CMO who helps distributors and manufacturers transform outdated marketing into a system that drives measurable sales growth. With over 30 years of experience, Bob is the founder of SVM E-Marketing Solutions, a B2B marketing consultancy that serves sales-driven distributors and manufacturers. |
Brian GardnerNew to UIDBrian Gardner is the founder of Sales Process 360 LLC, a CRM coaching and consulting company focused on helping companies implement and achieve adoption with CRM. Brian specializes in the Industrial market with a focus on distributors, reps, and manufacturers. | Brooks HamiltonNew to UIDBrooks Hamilton Founder, AI Strategy Advisors Brooks Hamilton is the founder of AI Strategy Advisors, an Austin-based consultancy specializing in crafting AI strategies for wholesale distributors, trade associations, and buying groups. With over 20 years of experience deploying AI decision support applications, Brooks brings a unique blend of technical expertise and distribution industry knowledge to help organizations navigate the rapidly evolving AI landscape. |
Claudia St. John, Ph.D.A frequent public speaker who is quoted often in national and industry press, Claudia is a regular contributor to numerous print and electronic publications on the topic of human resources. | Colin DeesAs a past executive in the distribution industry, Colin has worked with several distributors to help streamline their customer pricing and profitability, purchasing and replenishment, warehouse management, transportation, and installing business intelligence tools to measure everyday goals and objectives. |
Dena Cordova JackNew to UIDDena Cordova Jack Organizational Development & M&A Integration Strategist | 35 Year Building Materials & Lumber Industry Veteran With more than three decades of experience across the building materials supply chain - from commodity trading at Georgia Pacific and Boise Cascade, to sales and operational leadership at Foxworth Galbraith, to VP roles at Kodiak Building Partners, Dena brings deep, real world insight into what drives performance in this industry | Gail Lowney AlofsinGail is a professional speaker, university professor, humanitarian and sales and marketing executive, Gail provides audiences with specific and practical tools to achieve leadership, time management, business and communication success. |
J. Michael MarksMichael is a dynamic speaker, popular business author, and both a NAW Research Fellow and the Managing Partner of the Indian River Consulting Group. The boutique firm has worked with distributors of all sizes up to over $40 billion in revenue per year. | Jamie TurnerJamie is an internationally recognized author, speaker, and network TV news contributor who has worked with The Coca-Cola Company, AT&T, Holiday Inn, and other global brands. |
Jason BaderJason Bader is the principal of The Distribution Team. The Distribution Team specializes in providing strategic business coaching, inventory management training and technology utilization to the wholesale distribution industry. Jason brings over 40 years of experience working in the distribution field. He has overseen various operational teams, managed small and large facilities, and served in an executive management capacity for the last 10 years of his distribution career. | Dr. Jerry V TeplitzNew to UIDDr. Teplitz has been President of his consulting firm and as a professional speaker, he has spoken at over 1800 meetings and to over one million people. He conducts seminars in the areas of leadership, management, stress management, employee productivity and sales development. |
Jim Pancero, CSP, CPAEJim is a Dallas-based business-to-business sales and sales leadership expert and Hall of Fame professional keynote speaker and trainer. Jim has the leading-edge solutions you need to increase your team’s competitive advantage. A leading go-to sales and sales leadership strategist for over three decades. | John R MackayNew to UIDJohn R. Mackay has over four decades of experience helping entrepreneurs, primarily in owner-managed businesses, improve their profitability by understanding their strengths and weakness. Since 1982, John has been conducting benchmarking studies for trade associations. Prior to forming the Mackay Research Group, John was Vice President of the Profit Planning Group. In 2004, Mackay spun-off a segment of PPG to form the Mackay Research Group. John received his undergraduate degree from The Ohio State University and his MBA from the University of Colorado. |
John StamosNew to UIDJohn Stamos is a principal at the Alexander Group (AGI), a revenue growth consulting firm. John co-leads AGI's Industrials practice, working with both distributors and manufacturers on a variety of Go-To-Market Initiatives. | Jon SchreibfederJon Schreibfeder is president of Effective Inventory Management, Inc., a firm dedicated to helping manufacturers, distributors, and large retailers get the most out of their investment in stock inventory. |
Lisa RyanLisa Ryan, CSP, helps organizations develop employee engagement strategies that keep their top talent from becoming someone else’s. Lisa is a Certified Speaking Professional and best-selling author of ten books, including “Manufacturing Engagement: 98 Proven Strategies to Attract and Retain Your Industry’s Top Talent.” During her twenty-plus year sales career, Lisa spent 13 years in industrial distribution, including seven years in the welding industry – and yes, she does weld. Lisa is a proud Cleveland native and received her MBA from Cleveland State University. She has been blissfully married to Scott since 1996 and they are the proud parents of two very spoiled cats. | Matt SchreibfederMatt Schreibfeder is vice president of research and analytics for Effective Inventory Management, Inc. Before joining EIM several years ago, Matt was a project cost analyst for Exxon Mobil. He was also a submarine officer in the U.S. Navy. |
Mike FosterMike is a dedicated cybersecurity consultant and artificial intelligence specialist who understands the unique security challenges facing wholesale distribution operations. With years of experience consulting with hundreds of companies across North America, he provides comprehensive cybersecurity audits, guidance, and training tailored to businesses where operational continuity and data security are mission-critical. | Kathryne A. Newton, Ph.D.Kathy is a Professor, Supply Chain and Sales Engineering Technology and Associate Dean for Graduate Programs and Faculty Success, Purdue Polytechnic Institute at Purdue University. She also serves as Advisor for the University of Innovative Distribution Executive Management Conference, appointed September, 2005. |
Paul C. DuBoisNew to UIDPaul DuBois is the Founder & President of DuBois Consulting, LLC. Through his consulting partnerships, Paul supports organizations by enhancing learning & development strategies, leadership program development, company culture programming, and Human Resources executive leadership. With a focus on assisting people reach their fullest potential, Paul is dedicated to deploying learning interventions that have the highest impact to learners and the organization. | Paul ReillyPaul Reilly is a professional speaker, sales trainer, and author. He coauthored Value-Added Selling, fourth edition (McGraw-Hill, 2018), and authored Selling Through Tough Times (Fall 2021). |
Randy DisharoonRandy has an extensive background in both distribution and manufacturing makes him uniquely qualified to address the issues that both types of organizations face in today’s market environment. | Sam RichterSam is the founder of the #1-rated Know More! business improvement program and author of the award-winning and best-selling “Take the Cold Out of Cold Calling” book. |
Sean GlazeSean Glaze is an author and internationally recognized speaker and coach, who accelerates the growth and awareness of effective leaders. His engaging conference keynotes equip your people to improve team performance and build a more positive and profitable workplace culture. | Steve McClatchyClosing Keynote & Wednesday's General Session SpeakerSteve is a keynote speaker, workshop leader, and author of the New York Times Bestseller Decide: Work Smarter, Reduce Your Stress & Lead by Example. Decide has enjoyed global success and has been translated into 10 languages including Chinese, Russian, Japanese, and Spanish. |
Todd Cohen, CSPA dynamic, engaging, and motivational keynote speaker, Todd’s message is relevant to any organization striving to increase revenue, strengthen relationships and improve client satisfaction. Using humor and real-life examples, Todd demonstrates how every conversation is a “selling moment” and how everyone can contribute to the growth and profitability of the organization. |
