2025 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.
Annalise KoltaiNew to UIDAnnalise Koltai is a leadership and team coach attuned to the complexities of the modern tech industry and the people within it. Guided by her background in psychology, Annalise brings a fresh approach that affects transformation through nuanced insight into relationships and team dynamics. In other words, she understands that the messiest and most intimidating problems are also the most human. | Beth ZiesenisBeth Z, also known as "Your Nerdy Best Friend," is a nationally recognized speaker, author, and technology guru who specializes in demystifying the latest tech trends and tools for everyday users. |
Bob MarshClosing KeynoteBob Marsh has spent his career in sales and people-centric leadership, his greatest passion. As the Chief Revenue Officer at Bluewater Technologies, he works with a team of 200+ experts to create demand and advise clients including General Motors, Rocket Mortgage, and Penske Corporation on workplace technology, corporate events, and modern retail experiences. Prior to Bluewater, Bob was the founder and CEO of LevelEleven, a sales management system used by some of the world’s most progressive sales organizations— including HP Enterprise, Comcast Business, Google, CarGurus, Verizon, and hundreds more. Bob raised millions in venture capital from some of the top investors in the world, and ultimately sold LevelEleven to a private equity firm who continues to successfully expand on the foundation he created. | Chad Williams Navy SEAL (Ret)Opening KeynoteServing his country proudly through multiple deployments as a U.S. Navy SEAL, on SEAL Teams One and Seven, Williams honed the qualities and values that our nation’s best adhere to. In a final operation in Iraq, his SEAL team was set up on a premeditated ambush similar to the location and scenario that took the life of his mentor Scott Helvenston, but on that occasion he and his team were able to overcome the enemy and complete the mission. |
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. |
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. |
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 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. | 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 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 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. |
Thea DudleyNew to UIDThea Dudley is a credit management veteran in the building materials and construction industry. In her over three decades of work as a credit and collections officer, Thea Dudley has trekked across deserts to recover goods, taken FBI interrogation classes to learn negotiators “tells” and suffered through more lame reasons for extending credit then she can count. She knows how to decide whose worthy of credit and how to go after those who abuse the privilege. | Thomas CookTom is Managing Director of Blue Tiger International (bluetigerintl.com), an international business consultancy advising on supply chain management, trade compliance, purchasing, trade and disruption management, global business and logistics. Tom was former CEO of American River International in NY and Apex Global Logistics Supply Chain Operation in LA. Tom has over 35 years’ experience in assisting companies all over the world manage their import and export operations. |
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. | Traci L. BrownNew to UIDTIME Magazine has named Traci one of the nation’s top deception detection experts. She’s trained alongside our country’s top law enforcement. Her keynotes focus on how to stop fraud loss before it happens and also sales intelligence. Ms. Brown is a frequent television guest and is the author of How to Detect Lies, Fraud and Identity Theft. . She is currently ranked the #3 body language expert in the world and will be featured in the ’24 Nivea Lotion ad campaign. |
Tracie SponenbergNew to UIDTracie Sponenberg is the former Chief People Officer of The Granite Group Wholesalers LLC, and was responsible for leading all People functions throughout the company, with 60+ locations, and over 700 team members throughout six states. She partnered with other members of the executive team to lead through four acquisitions, a global pandemic, a technology transformation, and a complete transformation of the HR department into an award-winning People Team. |
