![](https://vfairs-core-backend-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/V2/14460/landing-page/IdHNNMHRDc5Fh248lq8LZv3jHWco32W5QiUFJlph.png)
![](https://vfairs-core-backend-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/V2/14460/landing-page/IdHNNMHRDc5Fh248lq8LZv3jHWco32W5QiUFJlph.png)
At this year's ENGAGE 2025 meeting, It's Our Time to revolutionize the sector with cutting-edge strategies and innovative solutions. Gather with industry leaders and visionaries to explore new opportunities and drive impactful change. Together, we'll harness this moment to shape the future of our industry and set new standards for success.
Join AFFLINK President & CEO Michael Wilson as we kick off ENGAGE 2025!
Michael Wilson
AFFLINK
AFFLINK
Michael is a seasoned professional with a wealth of experience and a proven track record in the industry. Having served as the Senior Vice President, Business Development before assuming the role of President and Chief Executive Officer at AFFLINK, he brings extensive knowledge and expertise to his leadership position. With an impressive 18-year tenure at the company, Michael has successfully led various business units, including the Industrial Packaging Division, National Accounts, Marketing and Events, and Indirect Spend solutions for PFG operating companies. For Michael, finding creative ways to take the company to the next level of success is what he loves most about his job. He is a member of the ISSA and USGBC, and a supporter of Alabama River Keepers and Wounded Warrior Project. When he’s not developing AFFLINK’s next marketing strategy, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters, reading, cooking, and fishing.
Too often owners and leaders are leaning on sales forecasts or budgets to make growth decisions, yet find themselves dealing with missed sales numbers. During this high powered session, we will help owners and leaders identify what is missing or underdeveloped in their growth plans. Leave this session with a clear plan to close the gaps that lead to revenue constriction and higher costs.
Amy Rudy
Impact Sales Systems
Impact Sales Systems
Amy Rudy has been a dedicated sales coach and business advisor since 2007. Through her company, Impact Sales Systems (www.impactsalessystems.com), Amy collaborates with business owners and their sales teams, focusing on the behaviors that drive successful selling. She tackles issues in sales processes and addresses challenges impacting results and incomes, ensuring her clients achieve their goals. Amy has worked closely with a number of our AFFLINK members, leveraging her sales expertise to enhance their growth strategies and improve overall sales performance. Before founding Impact Sales Systems, Amy established ACR Computer Resources in 1994, a software development firm that provided custom software solutions to both regional and national clients. From 1987 to 1994, she played a crucial role in developing the merchant services division, Brown-Forman Enterprises, at Brown-Forman. Amy is a sought-after speaker at local and national conferences, where she shares her expertise on Revenue Generation and Business Growth. She is actively involved in several organizations, including U of L’s Family Business Center, where she facilitates a NextGen Roundtable, and One Southern Indiana’s Metro Manufacturing Alliance as a roundtable facilitator. Additionally, Amy is a member of The Community Foundation of Southern Indiana’s Impact 100 and Louisville Impact 100, and she recently joined the Alumni Board of Prosser Vocational Center. She also serves as a Trustee on the board of Spalding University. Amy has previously served on the boards of Goodwill Industries of Southern Indiana and NAWBO-Kentucky’s Board of Directors. In 2018, she participated in Let’s Dance Louisville, a Dancing with The Stars-style competition to raise funds for Feed My Neighbor. Residing in Louisville with her husband Lewis, Amy is a proud mother and deeply devoted to her community.
As 2025 approaches, significant changes in tax law are on the horizon, making strategic tax planning more important than ever. The potential expiration of key provisions from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) could lead to higher tax rates for individuals and businesses, while new rules governing retirement accounts and corporate taxes will require careful consideration. Additionally, anticipated changes to estate and gift tax exemptions underscore the need for proactive estate planning. These developments will directly impact tax liabilities, making it essential to stay informed and plan ahead. In response to these legislative changes, Roman Basi will draw upon his extensive knowledge and experience in tax planning to guide attendees through the complexities of the 2025 tax landscape. His insights will help you understand the nuances of the new rules, identify opportunities for tax savings, and ensure compliance, ultimately helping you minimize your tax burden and maximize your financial outcomes in the year ahead.
Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to:
Roman Basi
The Center for Financial, Legal & Tan Planning, Inc.
The Center for Financial, Legal & Tan Planning, Inc.
Roman Basi is the President of the Center for Financial, Legal & Tax Planning, Inc. He is an Attorney and CPA and holds a master’s degree in business administration. Roman is also a Real Estate Broker, Title Insurance Agent, and a Private Pilot with an instrument rating. His law and accounting practice focuses on Mergers and Acquisitions of Privately Held Companies across the U.S., as well as Business Valuations, Succession Planning, Estate Planning, Corporate Law, Tax Law, and Real Estate. Roman is a highly sought after speaker touring the nation on a continuous basis speaking to numerous Associations. He is also the President and Managing Broker of Heartland Realty & Rentals, Inc. and the Managing Member of Woodland Rental Properties, LLC – companies that own and manage approximately 300 units of real estate. Roman and his wife Brandi of 25 years, reside in Florida with their two daughters, Marissa and Alexis.
This is a two-part workshop led by Mike Marks, Founding Partner of Indian River Consulting Group. These discussions are about the real world of AI applications for independent distributors without all the hype and FOMO, Fear of Missing Out. Part One provides a quick overview and multiple examples of distribution use cases along with high level cost estimates and system requirements. Part Two is a dive into how to build an application as an independent distributor. Participants are encouraged to attend part one as part two builds on part one. It will be available on both session days. Participants will receive copies of all presentation materials that will include multiple research links for those who choose to move forward. Participants will see actual live examples during both sessions and will be able to utilize ChatGPT and the other large language models as individual users at the conclusion of Part One. Those participants in both sessions will learn how to use a framework to develop their own use cases. The framework helps quantify each potential use case by cost or difficulty to implement and also the ability to impact profit, revenue, or customer experience (CX). This is not an IT effort as it must be driven by the executive team, but the smart play is to prioritize small use cases that increase profit to fund subsequent deployment of other use cases. Two years from now we will all look back on AI as the great competitive lever to let the independents outcompete the industry giants.
Michael Marks
Indian River Consulting Group
Indian River Consulting Group
Mike Marks co-founded the Indian River Consulting Group in April 1987. He began his consulting practice after working in distribution management for more than 20 years. Over the years, his narrow focus in B2B channel-driven markets has created an astonishing number of deep executive relationships with virtually every business vertical in construction, process, MRO/OEM, agriculture, and healthcare. Mike had the good fortune to spend significant time with Dr. Peter Drucker when he was in graduate school. Like Dr. Drucker, he has aspired to be a professional observer of the distribution industry’s growth and evolution for over half a century. Mike has written extensively and is frequently quoted on many industry issues. He has extensive board experience on both public and private distribution firms. His contributions to the field include serving multiple terms as a Research Fellow with the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors, permanent faculty at Purdue University’s University of Innovative Distribution, eight years as Graduate Adjunct Faculty in the Industrial Distribution Program at Texas A & M University and rendering several precedent-setting expert opinions in contract disputes between manufacturers and distributors. Prior to forming IRCG, Mike held the position of Executive Vice President at Lex Electronics, an $800 million vertically integrated electronics distributor in Stamford, CT. Mike’s path to management in his early career was through increasing responsibilities in sales and sales management. He even completed a tour of duty as a manufacturer’s representative. Mike is 75 years old and is in a multiple year buyout with his partners. He has two grown children and two granddaughters. He serves currently as an outside director at Zero Zone, Alaska Rubber Products, and Exotic Automation. As an advisory board member in the College of Business at the Florida Institute of Technology where he mentors students, teaches prompt engineering, and is chairman of the curriculum committee. He was also an SCCA Florida Region Endurance Racing Champion in 2024, but he is not in the mix for 2024.
Safety Stock, Safety Allowance, Reserve Inventory are all terms for a designated reserve of inventory you maintain to avoid stockouts due to unusual demand, or delays in receiving a replenishment shipment of an item. The more safety stock you maintain, the higher your level of customer service. Many distributors use a single rule for managing safety stock for a large number of products and wind up with too much of some products and never have enough of others. Having to manually micromanage individual items results is wasted time and frustrated employees. In this session we will explore simple and effective methods of fine tuning your safety stock quantities to efficiently set your safety stock quantities, achieve your service level goals, and actually increase your profitability in the process. We will discuss theories to ensure that every dollar of your inventory investment is effectively working for the success of your company.
Matt Schreibfeder
Effective Inventory Management, Inc.
Effective Inventory Management, Inc.
Matt Schreibfeder is Vice President of Analytics for Effective Inventory Management, Inc. EIM is a firm dedicated to helping manufacturers, distributors, service centers and large retailers get the most out of their investment in stock inventory. Matt came to EIM after extensive experience as a project and construction analyst at Exxon Mobil, and prior to that served as a nuclear submarine officer in the U.S. Navy. Matt earned a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from The Virginia Military Institute and a master’s degree in Engineering Management from Old Dominion University.
For business owners and leaders, the journey to success is often marked by hard-earned victories and strategies that worked—until they didn’t. In an ever-evolving business landscape, relying on past successes can become a barrier to future growth. This session is designed to challenge your current approach and inspire you to adopt new strategies that will propel your business forward. We’ll explore how to recognize when it's time to pivot, how to let go of practices that no longer serve you, and how to cultivate the agility and foresight needed to thrive in the next phase of your journey. Through dynamic discussions and actionable insights, you’ll learn how to break free from the status quo and develop the leadership skills required to navigate the challenges ahead.
Tara T. Bienvenu
Bienvenu Coaching, LLC
Bienvenu Coaching, LLC
Tara is passionate about Leadership! She asserts that a leader is one who takes responsibility for their world. As an Executive & Neuro Performance Coach, Facilitator, Trainer and Speaker, Tara’s approach is purpose and results focused. Leveraging her knowledge, experience, and accomplishments within the corporate, private, and entrepreneurial environments, and as a mother of two amazing daughters, Tara understands the complexities of business, organization, and life systems. Her ability to meet others where they are complimented by her super powers of depth and intuition, calls others forth to their greatness for the sake of personal, professional, and organizational success.
Chad Cosgrove
Circana
Circana
Too often owners and leaders are leaning on sales forecasts or budgets to make growth decisions, yet find themselves dealing with missed sales numbers. During this high powered session, we will help owners and leaders identify what is missing or underdeveloped in their growth plans. Leave this session with a clear plan to close the gaps that lead to revenue constriction and higher costs.
Amy Rudy
Impact Sales Systems
Impact Sales Systems
Amy Rudy has been a dedicated sales coach and business advisor since 2007. Through her company, Impact Sales Systems (www.impactsalessystems.com), Amy collaborates with business owners and their sales teams, focusing on the behaviors that drive successful selling. She tackles issues in sales processes and addresses challenges impacting results and incomes, ensuring her clients achieve their goals. Amy has worked closely with a number of our AFFLINK members, leveraging her sales expertise to enhance their growth strategies and improve overall sales performance. Before founding Impact Sales Systems, Amy established ACR Computer Resources in 1994, a software development firm that provided custom software solutions to both regional and national clients. From 1987 to 1994, she played a crucial role in developing the merchant services division, Brown-Forman Enterprises, at Brown-Forman. Amy is a sought-after speaker at local and national conferences, where she shares her expertise on Revenue Generation and Business Growth. She is actively involved in several organizations, including U of L’s Family Business Center, where she facilitates a NextGen Roundtable, and One Southern Indiana’s Metro Manufacturing Alliance as a roundtable facilitator. Additionally, Amy is a member of The Community Foundation of Southern Indiana’s Impact 100 and Louisville Impact 100, and she recently joined the Alumni Board of Prosser Vocational Center. She also serves as a Trustee on the board of Spalding University. Amy has previously served on the boards of Goodwill Industries of Southern Indiana and NAWBO-Kentucky’s Board of Directors. In 2018, she participated in Let’s Dance Louisville, a Dancing with The Stars-style competition to raise funds for Feed My Neighbor. Residing in Louisville with her husband Lewis, Amy is a proud mother and deeply devoted to her community.
Michael Marks
Indian River Consulting Group
Indian River Consulting Group
Mike Marks co-founded the Indian River Consulting Group in April 1987. He began his consulting practice after working in distribution management for more than 20 years. Over the years, his narrow focus in B2B channel-driven markets has created an astonishing number of deep executive relationships with virtually every business vertical in construction, process, MRO/OEM, agriculture, and healthcare. Mike had the good fortune to spend significant time with Dr. Peter Drucker when he was in graduate school. Like Dr. Drucker, he has aspired to be a professional observer of the distribution industry’s growth and evolution for over half a century. Mike has written extensively and is frequently quoted on many industry issues. He has extensive board experience on both public and private distribution firms. His contributions to the field include serving multiple terms as a Research Fellow with the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors, permanent faculty at Purdue University’s University of Innovative Distribution, eight years as Graduate Adjunct Faculty in the Industrial Distribution Program at Texas A & M University and rendering several precedent-setting expert opinions in contract disputes between manufacturers and distributors. Prior to forming IRCG, Mike held the position of Executive Vice President at Lex Electronics, an $800 million vertically integrated electronics distributor in Stamford, CT. Mike’s path to management in his early career was through increasing responsibilities in sales and sales management. He even completed a tour of duty as a manufacturer’s representative. Mike is 75 years old and is in a multiple year buyout with his partners. He has two grown children and two granddaughters. He serves currently as an outside director at Zero Zone, Alaska Rubber Products, and Exotic Automation. As an advisory board member in the College of Business at the Florida Institute of Technology where he mentors students, teaches prompt engineering, and is chairman of the curriculum committee. He was also an SCCA Florida Region Endurance Racing Champion in 2024, but he is not in the mix for 2024.
Safety Stock, Safety Allowance, Reserve Inventory are all terms for a designated reserve of inventory you maintain to avoid stockouts due to unusual demand, or delays in receiving a replenishment shipment of an item. The more safety stock you maintain, the higher your level of customer service. Many distributors use a single rule for managing safety stock for a large number of products and wind up with too much of some products and never have enough of others. Having to manually micromanage individual items results is wasted time and frustrated employees. In this session we will explore simple and effective methods of fine tuning your safety stock quantities to efficiently set your safety stock quantities, achieve your service level goals, and actually increase your profitability in the process. We will discuss theories to ensure that every dollar of your inventory investment is effectively working for the success of your company.
Matt Schreibfeder
Effective Inventory Management, Inc.
Effective Inventory Management, Inc.
Matt Schreibfeder is Vice President of Analytics for Effective Inventory Management, Inc. EIM is a firm dedicated to helping manufacturers, distributors, service centers and large retailers get the most out of their investment in stock inventory. Matt came to EIM after extensive experience as a project and construction analyst at Exxon Mobil, and prior to that served as a nuclear submarine officer in the U.S. Navy. Matt earned a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from The Virginia Military Institute and a master’s degree in Engineering Management from Old Dominion University.
For business owners and leaders, the journey to success is often marked by hard-earned victories and strategies that worked—until they didn’t. In an ever-evolving business landscape, relying on past successes can become a barrier to future growth. This session is designed to challenge your current approach and inspire you to adopt new strategies that will propel your business forward. We’ll explore how to recognize when it's time to pivot, how to let go of practices that no longer serve you, and how to cultivate the agility and foresight needed to thrive in the next phase of your journey. Through dynamic discussions and actionable insights, you’ll learn how to break free from the status quo and develop the leadership skills required to navigate the challenges ahead.
Tara T. Bienvenu
Bienvenu Coaching, LLC
Bienvenu Coaching, LLC
Tara is passionate about Leadership! She asserts that a leader is one who takes responsibility for their world. As an Executive & Neuro Performance Coach, Facilitator, Trainer and Speaker, Tara’s approach is purpose and results focused. Leveraging her knowledge, experience, and accomplishments within the corporate, private, and entrepreneurial environments, and as a mother of two amazing daughters, Tara understands the complexities of business, organization, and life systems. Her ability to meet others where they are complimented by her super powers of depth and intuition, calls others forth to their greatness for the sake of personal, professional, and organizational success.
As 2025 approaches, significant changes in tax law are on the horizon, making strategic tax planning more important than ever. The potential expiration of key provisions from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) could lead to higher tax rates for individuals and businesses, while new rules governing retirement accounts and corporate taxes will require careful consideration. Additionally, anticipated changes to estate and gift tax exemptions underscore the need for proactive estate planning. These developments will directly impact tax liabilities, making it essential to stay informed and plan ahead. In response to these legislative changes, Roman Basi will draw upon his extensive knowledge and experience in tax planning to guide attendees through the complexities of the 2025 tax landscape. His insights will help you understand the nuances of the new rules, identify opportunities for tax savings, and ensure compliance, ultimately helping you minimize your tax burden and maximize your financial outcomes in the year ahead.
Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to:
Roman Basi
The Center for Financial, Legal & Tan Planning, Inc.
The Center for Financial, Legal & Tan Planning, Inc.
Roman Basi is the President of the Center for Financial, Legal & Tax Planning, Inc. He is an Attorney and CPA and holds a master’s degree in business administration. Roman is also a Real Estate Broker, Title Insurance Agent, and a Private Pilot with an instrument rating. His law and accounting practice focuses on Mergers and Acquisitions of Privately Held Companies across the U.S., as well as Business Valuations, Succession Planning, Estate Planning, Corporate Law, Tax Law, and Real Estate. Roman is a highly sought after speaker touring the nation on a continuous basis speaking to numerous Associations. He is also the President and Managing Broker of Heartland Realty & Rentals, Inc. and the Managing Member of Woodland Rental Properties, LLC – companies that own and manage approximately 300 units of real estate. Roman and his wife Brandi of 25 years, reside in Florida with their two daughters, Marissa and Alexis.
In "Unleashing Potential: Leading Your Organization as a Force for Good," Dirk Beveridge guides you on a transformative journey from conventional leadership to becoming a beacon for success and societal good. Drawing on his vast experiences from the We Supply America tour, Beveridge provides not just inspiration, but actionable leadership lessons that shift your focus from mere profitability to becoming a catalyst for good. This powerful presentation challenges leaders to reimagine their businesses as transformative forces for all stakeholders, extending their ethos beyond balance sheets and cultivating a culture of contribution and impact. This isn't just a presentation, it's a call to action - don't just lead, inspire. Step into the future of leadership and become the beacon that guides your organization to serve as a force for good.
Dirk Beveridge
UnleashWD
UnleashWD
Founder of UnleashWD and Executive Producer of We Supply America, Dirk Beveridge is a pioneering force in wholesale distribution, with over 35 years of expertise in driving transformation and growth. As the visionary behind the We Supply America tour, Dirk champions the noble calling of distribution, highlighting the industry’s role in serving the greater good. Through his dynamic keynotes, including "Unleashing Potential: Leading Your Organization as a Force for Good," Dirk challenges leaders to reimagine their businesses as transformative forces that impact both profitability and societal well-being.
Finding and developing a successful sales team can feel like aiming at a moving target. What makes a successful sales hire? Why do some salespeople excel while others struggle? How can we identify potential top performers when building a team? Is it possible to turn around a salesperson with declining numbers? The answers lie not in a single solution but in a comprehensive strategy. Success stems from having a well-thought-out plan and being adaptable to change. In this session, we will explore the key elements that contribute to sales success, including effective planning, continuous development, and adaptability. We will provide a detailed roadmap for leaders and salespeople to follow, ensuring that both can achieve sustained success in their roles.
Amy Rudy
Impact Sales Systems
Impact Sales Systems
Amy Rudy has been a dedicated sales coach and business advisor since 2007. Through her company, Impact Sales Systems (www.impactsalessystems.com), Amy collaborates with business owners and their sales teams, focusing on the behaviors that drive successful selling. She tackles issues in sales processes and addresses challenges impacting results and incomes, ensuring her clients achieve their goals. Amy has worked closely with a number of our AFFLINK members, leveraging her sales expertise to enhance their growth strategies and improve overall sales performance. Before founding Impact Sales Systems, Amy established ACR Computer Resources in 1994, a software development firm that provided custom software solutions to both regional and national clients. From 1987 to 1994, she played a crucial role in developing the merchant services division, Brown-Forman Enterprises, at Brown-Forman. Amy is a sought-after speaker at local and national conferences, where she shares her expertise on Revenue Generation and Business Growth. She is actively involved in several organizations, including U of L’s Family Business Center, where she facilitates a NextGen Roundtable, and One Southern Indiana’s Metro Manufacturing Alliance as a roundtable facilitator. Additionally, Amy is a member of The Community Foundation of Southern Indiana’s Impact 100 and Louisville Impact 100, and she recently joined the Alumni Board of Prosser Vocational Center. She also serves as a Trustee on the board of Spalding University. Amy has previously served on the boards of Goodwill Industries of Southern Indiana and NAWBO-Kentucky’s Board of Directors. In 2018, she participated in Let’s Dance Louisville, a Dancing with The Stars-style competition to raise funds for Feed My Neighbor. Residing in Louisville with her husband Lewis, Amy is a proud mother and deeply devoted to her community.
After years of hard work and dedication, you’re ready to step back and savor the rewards of your success. But what does the future hold for your company when you’re no longer running the day-to-day operations? Are you considering passing the business to your children or key employees? This transition is a pivotal moment and involves important decisions—whether it's transferring ownership through an asset sale, stock sale, or stock redemption. Each choice has unique financial and tax implications that could significantly impact your outcome. Selling or transferring a business is often a once-in-a-lifetime event, making early and thoughtful planning essential. In this presentation, we’ll explore how to create a strategic plan that ensures a seamless transition, allowing you to fully capitalize on the value of your business while managing your tax liabilities effectively. Roman Basi will bring his extensive experience in succession planning for independent distributors to guide you through every step, providing valuable insights to help you navigate this crucial process with confidence and ease.
Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to:
Roman Basi
The Center for Financial, Legal & Tan Planning, Inc.
The Center for Financial, Legal & Tan Planning, Inc.
Roman Basi is the President of the Center for Financial, Legal & Tax Planning, Inc. He is an Attorney and CPA and holds a master’s degree in business administration. Roman is also a Real Estate Broker, Title Insurance Agent, and a Private Pilot with an instrument rating. His law and accounting practice focuses on Mergers and Acquisitions of Privately Held Companies across the U.S., as well as Business Valuations, Succession Planning, Estate Planning, Corporate Law, Tax Law, and Real Estate. Roman is a highly sought after speaker touring the nation on a continuous basis speaking to numerous Associations. He is also the President and Managing Broker of Heartland Realty & Rentals, Inc. and the Managing Member of Woodland Rental Properties, LLC – companies that own and manage approximately 300 units of real estate. Roman and his wife Brandi of 25 years, reside in Florida with their two daughters, Marissa and Alexis.
Michael Marks
Indian River Consulting Group
Indian River Consulting Group
Mike Marks co-founded the Indian River Consulting Group in April 1987. He began his consulting practice after working in distribution management for more than 20 years. Over the years, his narrow focus in B2B channel-driven markets has created an astonishing number of deep executive relationships with virtually every business vertical in construction, process, MRO/OEM, agriculture, and healthcare. Mike had the good fortune to spend significant time with Dr. Peter Drucker when he was in graduate school. Like Dr. Drucker, he has aspired to be a professional observer of the distribution industry’s growth and evolution for over half a century. Mike has written extensively and is frequently quoted on many industry issues. He has extensive board experience on both public and private distribution firms. His contributions to the field include serving multiple terms as a Research Fellow with the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors, permanent faculty at Purdue University’s University of Innovative Distribution, eight years as Graduate Adjunct Faculty in the Industrial Distribution Program at Texas A & M University and rendering several precedent-setting expert opinions in contract disputes between manufacturers and distributors. Prior to forming IRCG, Mike held the position of Executive Vice President at Lex Electronics, an $800 million vertically integrated electronics distributor in Stamford, CT. Mike’s path to management in his early career was through increasing responsibilities in sales and sales management. He even completed a tour of duty as a manufacturer’s representative. Mike is 75 years old and is in a multiple year buyout with his partners. He has two grown children and two granddaughters. He serves currently as an outside director at Zero Zone, Alaska Rubber Products, and Exotic Automation. As an advisory board member in the College of Business at the Florida Institute of Technology where he mentors students, teaches prompt engineering, and is chairman of the curriculum committee. He was also an SCCA Florida Region Endurance Racing Champion in 2024, but he is not in the mix for 2024.
Every distributor has one or more warehouses. But few realize that efficient and effective warehouse operations are a key element to success and profitability. In fact, many distributors accept inefficiencies as unavoidable, too costly to fix, or just “the way things are”. In this session we will explore how implementing “best practice” policies and procedures will help you ensure that the on-hand quantities of stocked products are consistently accurate and that you efficiently store items and process transactions to minimize the cost of filling orders. Included will be a presentation of a cost/benefit analysis of implementing new material-handling technology.
Matt Schreibfeder
Effective Inventory Management, Inc.
Effective Inventory Management, Inc.
Matt Schreibfeder is Vice President of Analytics for Effective Inventory Management, Inc. EIM is a firm dedicated to helping manufacturers, distributors, service centers and large retailers get the most out of their investment in stock inventory. Matt came to EIM after extensive experience as a project and construction analyst at Exxon Mobil, and prior to that served as a nuclear submarine officer in the U.S. Navy. Matt earned a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from The Virginia Military Institute and a master’s degree in Engineering Management from Old Dominion University.
For business owners and leaders, the journey to success is often marked by hard-earned victories and strategies that worked—until they didn’t. In an ever-evolving business landscape, relying on past successes can become a barrier to future growth. This session is designed to challenge your current approach and inspire you to adopt new strategies that will propel your business forward. We’ll explore how to recognize when it's time to pivot, how to let go of practices that no longer serve you, and how to cultivate the agility and foresight needed to thrive in the next phase of your journey. Through dynamic discussions and actionable insights, you’ll learn how to break free from the status quo and develop the leadership skills required to navigate the challenges ahead.
Tara T. Bienvenu
Bienvenu Coaching, LLC
Bienvenu Coaching, LLC
Tara is passionate about Leadership! She asserts that a leader is one who takes responsibility for their world. As an Executive & Neuro Performance Coach, Facilitator, Trainer and Speaker, Tara’s approach is purpose and results focused. Leveraging her knowledge, experience, and accomplishments within the corporate, private, and entrepreneurial environments, and as a mother of two amazing daughters, Tara understands the complexities of business, organization, and life systems. Her ability to meet others where they are complimented by her super powers of depth and intuition, calls others forth to their greatness for the sake of personal, professional, and organizational success.
In an era where 82% of distribution leaders predict that attracting and retaining the right talent is the biggest challenge for the coming decade, it becomes essential to redefine the strategies that underpin the backbone of our sales forces. Our comprehensive Future of Distribution research has unveiled that a staggering 89% of industry leaders recognize the urgency to revamp the traditional employee value proposition to connect with the aspirations of modern sales professionals. In this dynamic breakout session, we will dive deep into the confluence of trends reshaping the sales landscape— from technological advancements and evolving work designs to the widening skills gap and fluctuating labor availability. These factors compel us to rethink how we attract, nurture, and retain top talent in a highly competitive environment.
Dirk Beveridge
UnleashWD
UnleashWD
Founder of UnleashWD and Executive Producer of We Supply America, Dirk Beveridge is a pioneering force in wholesale distribution, with over 35 years of expertise in driving transformation and growth. As the visionary behind the We Supply America tour, Dirk champions the noble calling of distribution, highlighting the industry’s role in serving the greater good. Through his dynamic keynotes, including "Unleashing Potential: Leading Your Organization as a Force for Good," Dirk challenges leaders to reimagine their businesses as transformative forces that impact both profitability and societal well-being.
Trust is the currency of sales. How do you build more trust? You do this by bringing heart and empathy to the forefront to change the course of your relationships. The accelerator to all of this is driven by consistent habits. In this session, you will discover how to overcome complacency as you develop habits of an authentic sales professional. From consistent prospecting to taking care of your clients, you’ll learn proven skills and disciplined habits that will help to grow your sales and build trust in the coming year.
Larry Levine
Selling From the Heart
Selling From the Heart
Larry Levine is the best-selling author of two books, Selling from the Heart and Selling In A Post-Trust World. He is also the co-host of the award-winning Selling from the Heart Podcast. Blending a heart of service with over three decades of in-the-field sales experience, Larry helps sales professionals develop a mindset and skill set for authentic success. In a post trust sales world, Larry helps sales teams leverage the power of authenticity to grow revenue, grow themselves and enhance the lives of their clients. Larry has coached sales professionals across the world, from tenured reps to new millennials entering the salesforce. They all appreciate the practical, real, relevant, relatable and “street–savvy” nature of his coaching. Larry believes people would rather do business with a sales professional who sells from the heart as opposed to a sales rep who is an empty suit.
Finding and developing a successful sales team can feel like aiming at a moving target. What makes a successful sales hire? Why do some salespeople excel while others struggle? How can we identify potential top performers when building a team? Is it possible to turn around a salesperson with declining numbers? The answers lie not in a single solution but in a comprehensive strategy. Success stems from having a well-thought-out plan and being adaptable to change. In this session, we will explore the key elements that contribute to sales success, including effective planning, continuous development, and adaptability. We will provide a detailed roadmap for leaders and salespeople to follow, ensuring that both can achieve sustained success in their roles.
Amy Rudy
Impact Sales Systems
Impact Sales Systems
Amy Rudy has been a dedicated sales coach and business advisor since 2007. Through her company, Impact Sales Systems (www.impactsalessystems.com), Amy collaborates with business owners and their sales teams, focusing on the behaviors that drive successful selling. She tackles issues in sales processes and addresses challenges impacting results and incomes, ensuring her clients achieve their goals. Amy has worked closely with a number of our AFFLINK members, leveraging her sales expertise to enhance their growth strategies and improve overall sales performance. Before founding Impact Sales Systems, Amy established ACR Computer Resources in 1994, a software development firm that provided custom software solutions to both regional and national clients. From 1987 to 1994, she played a crucial role in developing the merchant services division, Brown-Forman Enterprises, at Brown-Forman. Amy is a sought-after speaker at local and national conferences, where she shares her expertise on Revenue Generation and Business Growth. She is actively involved in several organizations, including U of L’s Family Business Center, where she facilitates a NextGen Roundtable, and One Southern Indiana’s Metro Manufacturing Alliance as a roundtable facilitator. Additionally, Amy is a member of The Community Foundation of Southern Indiana’s Impact 100 and Louisville Impact 100, and she recently joined the Alumni Board of Prosser Vocational Center. She also serves as a Trustee on the board of Spalding University. Amy has previously served on the boards of Goodwill Industries of Southern Indiana and NAWBO-Kentucky’s Board of Directors. In 2018, she participated in Let’s Dance Louisville, a Dancing with The Stars-style competition to raise funds for Feed My Neighbor. Residing in Louisville with her husband Lewis, Amy is a proud mother and deeply devoted to her community.
Michael Marks
Indian River Consulting Group
Indian River Consulting Group
Mike Marks co-founded the Indian River Consulting Group in April 1987. He began his consulting practice after working in distribution management for more than 20 years. Over the years, his narrow focus in B2B channel-driven markets has created an astonishing number of deep executive relationships with virtually every business vertical in construction, process, MRO/OEM, agriculture, and healthcare. Mike had the good fortune to spend significant time with Dr. Peter Drucker when he was in graduate school. Like Dr. Drucker, he has aspired to be a professional observer of the distribution industry’s growth and evolution for over half a century. Mike has written extensively and is frequently quoted on many industry issues. He has extensive board experience on both public and private distribution firms. His contributions to the field include serving multiple terms as a Research Fellow with the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors, permanent faculty at Purdue University’s University of Innovative Distribution, eight years as Graduate Adjunct Faculty in the Industrial Distribution Program at Texas A & M University and rendering several precedent-setting expert opinions in contract disputes between manufacturers and distributors. Prior to forming IRCG, Mike held the position of Executive Vice President at Lex Electronics, an $800 million vertically integrated electronics distributor in Stamford, CT. Mike’s path to management in his early career was through increasing responsibilities in sales and sales management. He even completed a tour of duty as a manufacturer’s representative. Mike is 75 years old and is in a multiple year buyout with his partners. He has two grown children and two granddaughters. He serves currently as an outside director at Zero Zone, Alaska Rubber Products, and Exotic Automation. As an advisory board member in the College of Business at the Florida Institute of Technology where he mentors students, teaches prompt engineering, and is chairman of the curriculum committee. He was also an SCCA Florida Region Endurance Racing Champion in 2024, but he is not in the mix for 2024.
Every distributor has one or more warehouses. But few realize that efficient and effective warehouse operations are a key element to success and profitability. In fact, many distributors accept inefficiencies as unavoidable, too costly to fix, or just “the way things are”. In this session we will explore how implementing “best practice” policies and procedures will help you ensure that the on-hand quantities of stocked products are consistently accurate and that you efficiently store items and process transactions to minimize the cost of filling orders. Included will be a presentation of a cost/benefit analysis of implementing new material-handling technology.
Matt Schreibfeder
Effective Inventory Management, Inc.
Effective Inventory Management, Inc.
Matt Schreibfeder is Vice President of Analytics for Effective Inventory Management, Inc. EIM is a firm dedicated to helping manufacturers, distributors, service centers and large retailers get the most out of their investment in stock inventory. Matt came to EIM after extensive experience as a project and construction analyst at Exxon Mobil, and prior to that served as a nuclear submarine officer in the U.S. Navy. Matt earned a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from The Virginia Military Institute and a master’s degree in Engineering Management from Old Dominion University.
Tara T. Bienvenu
Bienvenu Coaching, LLC
Bienvenu Coaching, LLC
Tara is passionate about Leadership! She asserts that a leader is one who takes responsibility for their world. As an Executive & Neuro Performance Coach, Facilitator, Trainer and Speaker, Tara’s approach is purpose and results focused. Leveraging her knowledge, experience, and accomplishments within the corporate, private, and entrepreneurial environments, and as a mother of two amazing daughters, Tara understands the complexities of business, organization, and life systems. Her ability to meet others where they are complimented by her super powers of depth and intuition, calls others forth to their greatness for the sake of personal, professional, and organizational success.
Trust is the currency of sales. How do you build more trust? You do this by bringing heart and empathy to the forefront to change the course of your relationships. The accelerator to all of this is driven by consistent habits. In this session, you will discover how to overcome complacency as you develop habits of an authentic sales professional. From consistent prospecting to taking care of your clients, you’ll learn proven skills and disciplined habits that will help to grow your sales and build trust in the coming year.
Larry Levine
Selling From the Heart
Selling From the Heart
Larry Levine is the best-selling author of two books, Selling from the Heart and Selling In A Post-Trust World. He is also the co-host of the award-winning Selling from the Heart Podcast. Blending a heart of service with over three decades of in-the-field sales experience, Larry helps sales professionals develop a mindset and skill set for authentic success. In a post trust sales world, Larry helps sales teams leverage the power of authenticity to grow revenue, grow themselves and enhance the lives of their clients. Larry has coached sales professionals across the world, from tenured reps to new millennials entering the salesforce. They all appreciate the practical, real, relevant, relatable and “street–savvy” nature of his coaching. Larry believes people would rather do business with a sales professional who sells from the heart as opposed to a sales rep who is an empty suit.
After years of hard work and dedication, you’re ready to step back and savor the rewards of your success. But what does the future hold for your company when you’re no longer running the day-to-day operations? Are you considering passing the business to your children or key employees? This transition is a pivotal moment and involves important decisions—whether it's transferring ownership through an asset sale, stock sale, or stock redemption. Each choice has unique financial and tax implications that could significantly impact your outcome. Selling or transferring a business is often a once-in-a-lifetime event, making early and thoughtful planning essential. In this presentation, we’ll explore how to create a strategic plan that ensures a seamless transition, allowing you to fully capitalize on the value of your business while managing your tax liabilities effectively. Roman Basi will bring his extensive experience in succession planning for independent distributors to guide you through every step, providing valuable insights to help you navigate this crucial process with confidence and ease.
Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to:
Roman Basi
The Center for Financial, Legal & Tan Planning, Inc.
The Center for Financial, Legal & Tan Planning, Inc.
Roman Basi is the President of the Center for Financial, Legal & Tax Planning, Inc. He is an Attorney and CPA and holds a master’s degree in business administration. Roman is also a Real Estate Broker, Title Insurance Agent, and a Private Pilot with an instrument rating. His law and accounting practice focuses on Mergers and Acquisitions of Privately Held Companies across the U.S., as well as Business Valuations, Succession Planning, Estate Planning, Corporate Law, Tax Law, and Real Estate. Roman is a highly sought after speaker touring the nation on a continuous basis speaking to numerous Associations. He is also the President and Managing Broker of Heartland Realty & Rentals, Inc. and the Managing Member of Woodland Rental Properties, LLC – companies that own and manage approximately 300 units of real estate. Roman and his wife Brandi of 25 years, reside in Florida with their two daughters, Marissa and Alexis.
Dr. Albert Bates
Distribution Performance Project
Distribution Performance Project
Dr. Albert D. Bates is a Principal in the Distribution Performance Project, a research group devoted to distribution issues. Al makes approximately 50 presentations each year on topics such as Improving the Bottom Line, Getting Serious About Profit, Doing More with Less, and Pricing for Profit. He is also a featured speaker at the University of Innovative Distribution. He has written extensively in both the professional and trade press, including the Harvard Business Review, the California Management Review and Business Horizons. Al received his undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Arlington and his MBA and doctorate from Indiana University. While at Indiana he was one of the first recipients of the Ford Foundation Fellowships in Business Education. He is married and has three grown daughters. When he is not traveling giving seminars, he enjoys tennis and skiing. He is not particularly good at either one.
Over the last two years, profitability levels in distribution have been at an all-time high. In industries where profit before taxes historically were 3.0% of sales it is now at 5.0% or even higher. It is a time for celebration. Part of the improvement is due to management actions. However, the lion’s share is due to unique and highly favorable economic conditions. The challenge for distributors is to keep profit at the current high levels as the positive external factors wane. Without proper actions, profit levels seem destined to regress to the mean. In English, that means retreating back to 3.0%. This session will briefly examine the key external factor that has led to higher profit. It will then focus on the actions required to maintain profit at this high level, or even higher, as economic conditions change.
Dr. Albert Bates
Distribution Performance Project
Distribution Performance Project
Dr. Albert D. Bates is a Principal in the Distribution Performance Project, a research group devoted to distribution issues. Al makes approximately 50 presentations each year on topics such as Improving the Bottom Line, Getting Serious About Profit, Doing More with Less, and Pricing for Profit. He is also a featured speaker at the University of Innovative Distribution. He has written extensively in both the professional and trade press, including the Harvard Business Review, the California Management Review and Business Horizons. Al received his undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Arlington and his MBA and doctorate from Indiana University. While at Indiana he was one of the first recipients of the Ford Foundation Fellowships in Business Education. He is married and has three grown daughters. When he is not traveling giving seminars, he enjoys tennis and skiing. He is not particularly good at either one.