2023 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.
Anne PattersonAnne’s career spans sales operations, planning, and distribution in multi-national companies, including the use and implementation of enterprise IT systems on a global scale. A respected project manager, inventory practitioner, and enthusiastic teacher and team-builder, her passion is linking people, processes, and technology. | Albert D. Bates, Ph.D.Al is Chairman and President as well as founder of the Profit Planning Group, a research and executive education firm headquartered in Boulder, Colorado. The firm works exclusively in the area of corporate financial planning. |
Bart BasiNew to UIDDr. Basi has expertise in the areas of financial accounting, business succession, business valuation, mergers and acquisitions, retirement and estate planning, strategic planning, and tax aspects of business decisions for closely held and family businesses. | Colin DeesNew to UIDAs 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. |
Daniel McQuiston, Ph.D.Daniel is an Associate Professor Emeritus of Marketing from the Lacy School of Business at Butler University in Indianapolis. He has an MBA from Bowling Green State University and received his Ph.D. in Marketing from The Ohio State University. | Dirk BeveridgeDirk is the leading advocate of change and innovation throughout wholesale distribution. He delivers a new voice, a new energy, and a new outlook. He founded UnleashWD in 2012 after he noticed the trend of innovation bypassing wholesalers and distributors. |
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 is the managing partner of The Distribution Team. The Distribution Team specializes in providing excellence in inventory management training, business operations consulting, and technology utilization to the wholesale distribution industry. Jason brings over 30 years of experience working in the distribution field. |
Jeremy WallNew to UIDJeremy Wall, co-founder, and CEO, of GoalMakers. Understanding that most managers have never been taught the fundamentals of people management or business finance, Wall has a passion for simplifying these concepts into practical and applicable lessons to help businesses define & achieve their goals. | 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. |
Jon SchreibfederJon is president of Effective Inventory Management, Inc., a firm dedicated to helping manufacturers, distributors, and large retailers throughout the world get the most out of their investment in-stock inventory. For over 20 years, Jon has helped over three thousand firms improve their productivity and profitability through better inventory management. | Joseph EllersJoe began his sales career in 1978 and sales management responsibilities in 1984. In his career, he has worked with manufacturers, reps, and distribution. His company, Palmetto Associates, has worked with over 1700 customers throughout the world. He has worked with many of the major trade associations and is a long-time faculty member with UID. |
Justin Jones-FosuNew to UIDJustin Jones-Fosu is a full-time daddy of 2 high-energy kids and he also recently summited one of the 7 Summits (the tallest mountain on each continent). He also happens to be a highly sought-after business speaker, social entrepreneur, and meaningful work researcher. | Ken NovakNew to UIDKen is 1/2 digital strategist, and 1/2 ops accelerator with 20+ years of helping organizations grow revenue and avoid costs with digital. He founded HATCH to help organizations digitally transform cost-efficiently by correlating digital investment to financial KPIs. |
Kiki Ramsey, Ph.D.New to UIDDr. Kiki Ramsey is a Positive Psychologist, Executive Coach, and Author. As the CEO of The Positive Psychology Coaching and Diversity Institute (PPCaDI), a leadership development firm that specializes in leadership and diversity coaching and training. | Lisa Ryan, CSPLisa 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.” |
Mary Kelly, Ph.D., Commander, USN, CSP, CPAEMary is an internationally renowned author and keynote speaker on leadership, productivity, and business growth. In 21 years as a Navy intelligence and logistics officer, Mary trained more than 40,000 military and civilian personnel. | 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 an experienced cybersecurity professional who gives presentations in plain English. He's presented more than a thousand times across North America, Europe, South Africa, and Australia. Participants say he has a gift for explaining the most complex topics in a way that is easy to understand for non-technical professionals and leaders. | 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. |
Patty LeeperNew to UIDPatty cut her teeth at NeXT Computer, a higher education start-up founded by Steve Jobs. She has worked in career and leadership development ever since, in large companies like Apple, HP, and Cisco as well as leading-edge, big-hearted non-profits. | 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. | Roman BasiNew to UIDRoman Basi, raised in Southern Illinois, began his working career at a young age umpiring little league baseball games. He spent his teenage and college years working for his father’s varied business interests. These experiences helped develop his future interest in helping small business owners fulfill their business and succession plans. |
Sam RitchterNamed one of the World’s Top 50 Sales Keynote Speakers and one of the 15 Highest Rated Speakers for Virtual Events, bestselling author and Hall of Fame speaker Sam Richter delivers his #1 rated, incredibly dynamic, highly entertaining, and extremely high-content keynote presentations and workshop sessions to audiences worldwide | Sean GlazeNew to UIDSean 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. |
Skip WeismanSkip Weisman’s former career as professional baseball CEO is the perfect person to speak about creating a high-performing team in the workplace. Twice in his 20-year career, his teams were recognized as “Organization of the Year” for the entire minor league professional baseball industry. | Steve DeistSteve is the Chief Operating Officer for Ewing Irrigation and Landscape Supply, a distributor with over 220 branches nationwide. He is also a Partner with Indian River Consulting Group. He has over 25 years of experience in distribution strategy, marketing channels, sales, operations, and leadership. |
Steve McClatchySteve 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. | Thomas CookThomas is with Blue Tiger International, a global business consulting company in supply chain management, trade compliance, purchasing, and global trade & logistics. Tom has over 30 years of experience helping companies all over the world manage their business models, supply chain risk, and spending and import/export operations. |
Todd Cohen, CSPNew to UIDA 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. |
