Everyone starts somewhere; leaders are built over time

Everybody starts somewhere in their professional life.

For me, as was chronicled in Supply House Times’ Chief Editor Natalie Forster’s profile on me in the November 2025 issue (click here to read), it was as an eager Eastern Industrial Supplies sales trainee back in 1980.

I started in the warehouse and then it was off to inventory control, inside sales, outside sales, followed by an early-days company whirlwind of events that led me to being CEO at the age of 29. 45 years later, here I am.

But back when I first started, there was no group like the American Supply Association’s Emerging Leaders to bring together and connect up-and-coming, high-potential employees with each other. You didn’t have that built-in network of like-minded, same-age peers at your fingertips.

That’s why I can’t stress enough the immense value that the ASA Emerging Leaders Division, now in its second decade of operation, continues to bring to ASA-member companies.

I was impressed with the stat now ASA Chairman Dave Poteete (Tri-Star Industrial Supply) revealed during his speech at NETWORK in Ft. Lauderdale this past November where five of the last seven ASA presidents had strong involvement in the Emerging Leaders Division earlier in their careers.

So why is this continually growing division so valuable to members?

“I wanted exposure beyond my own company,” says Benn Harms, of Iowa-based Plumbing and Heating Wholesale and the current chairman of the ASA Emerging Leaders Advisory Group. “I want to better understand how other leaders in our industry think, operate and solve problems. The biggest value has been the relationships—being able to connect with peers who are dealing with similar challenges, but in different markets and roles. It gives you a perspective you can’t get on your own. I have taken practical ideas, but more importantly, a broader view of leadership, a stronger network I can lean on and a better understanding of our industry.”

Current Emerging Leaders Advisory Group Past Chairman Bryce Moore of California-based Hirsch Pipe & Supply joined the group because a mentor encouraged it. Moore said networking and getting a broader perspective on the industry have been Emerging Leaders value-drivers for him.

“I have gotten some great connections and better ways of thinking,” he says.

Emerging Leaders Advisory Group Chairman Elect Matt Guidish of Pennsylvania-based rep firm Preferred Sales agrees the networking aspect of EL membership is invaluable.

“The biggest value drivers are the relationships and network you can build by coming to the event over several years,” he says. “You get to meet individuals outside your market and gain valuable perspectives for your own business and growth. Some of my closest industry relationships started at this event (annual EMERGE conference).”

The Emerging Leaders Division of ASA continues to gain momentum, so much so that the Advisory Group met this past summer near O’Hare Airport in Chicago to chart its future, one that includes a pivot to year-round programming for industry up-and-comers, while still presenting the group’s annual EMERGE education, best practices, and networking forum.

Look for new Emerging Initiatives such as webinars tailored to those young, high-ceiling employees within ASA companies, quarterly articles in Supply House Times written by members of the EL Advisory Group, a stronger tie-in with the ASA Education Foundation/ASA University, particularly with its burgeoning Master of Distribution Management leadership program, and much more.

“I think it is important to give new leaders all the resources they can as they grow in their roles,” Guidish says. “Our goal is to continue the themes of the annual conference with a steady source of actionable content.”

“It’s more about providing value throughout the year,” Moore adds. “It increases the value of attending an EMERGE event.”

Leadership development doesn’t happen in a single meeting or event, Harms explains. “It happens over time,” he says. “The year-round programming can help keep emerging leaders engaged, learning and connected, instead of treating development as a once-a-year, check-the-box activity.”

And speaking of the EMERGE event, they have one heck of a program planned for the 2026 version, which takes place May 18-20 at the Live! By Loews hotel in Arlington, Texas, in the same complex as the NFL Dallas Cowboys and MLB Texas Rangers stadiums.

As usual, the speaker lineup is dynamite with former Southwest Airlines Ambassador of Fun Tony Brigmon presenting an interactive session addressing how a positive mindset can significantly improve brain health, increase productivity and foster creativity within teams.

Steve Russell, a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel who played a key role in the hunt and capture of Sadam Hussein, will reveal some key leadership insights about how to build teams to accomplish tasks when they look impossible.

And last but not least, former Dallas Cowboys player and head coach Jason Garrett, now a co-host of Football Night in America on NBC, will talk about his professional journey in an interview setting certain to be loaded with important takeaways.

Beyond the speaking lineup, I am excited about the longstanding Emerging Leaders best practices roundtable sessions where non-competing attendees gather in groups of 10 to talk about current industry and professional challenges and how to solve them. And new this year, a second interactive session has been added where attendees will be presented real-life case studies and present their solutions to the entire EMERGE audience.

And there are a couple neat networking events planned, including a tour of the Cowboys stadium.

“EMERGE gives future leaders in an organization exposure to the industry, peer relationships and leadership thinking that directly benefits the company they work for,” Harms says. “They will come back more engaged, more confident and better equipped to contribute at a higher level. It also sends a powerful message to the employee you send to EMERGE: We believe in you and we are committed to your growth. That kind of investment helps build stronger leaders and stronger companies.”

Guidish adds this year’s EMERGE event is a “great blend of speaker content and key opportunities to network and build relationships,” he says. “The speakers bring actional perspectives on leadership and culture, and there is a session this year where attendees will work in teams to present solutions to real-world case studies. Between the speakers, workshops and networking events, every attendee should return to their business with several actionable insights to drive future success.”

As ASA president, I will be front and center in Arlington. I can’t wait to see this group in action and the value it continues to pour into our amazing industry.