Our industry is capable of even more when we move together

I can still remember my first ASA conference back in 1996. I was a young business leader, had a small company, and for many years I felt like I either didn't have the money or didn't have the time to attend.

But when I finally did, I was blown away, soaking in everything ASA had to offer like a sponge.

What impressed me then and continues to impress me now is the value that ASA offers to everyone, from our best-in-class education, to support in navigating the future with quality business plans, business intelligence and economic forecasting, and also to having the chance to visit with our friends in Washington.

ASA is the one voice that our industry can all rally around.

I agreed to serve as ASA president because I care deeply about this industry and our trade association. I believe you do too, as was witnessed by the 850 strong who joined us in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida in November for NETWORK2025.

It's critically important for all of us to see ourselves as industry stewards. We are an essential industry for the future of our nation. We are necessary even though we might not always see ourselves that way.

I believe in life there are givers and takers. At Eastern Industrial Supplies we want people to be givers through collaboration with people who are trying to achieve betterment for our companies, for our people who work with us, and to advance our country.

I stand in a long line of association presidents and have big shoes to fill. And just like they did during their tenures, I look forward to this next year, keeping an eye on the challenges we face as distributors, while also looking for opportunities that can help us solve those challenges.

Foremost among them are technology and innovation. Artificial intelligence and automation are rapidly transforming how distributors forecast demand, manage inventory and serve customers. ASA can play a central role in helping members evaluate what is practical, identify reliable partners and build a roadmap to implementation.

In addition to technology, we must never forget the focus we need to keep on our people. They are imperative. They are our greatest strength. As an association, we already are putting together some of our young leaders along with seasoned veterans to focus on technology and how a deepening of our company culture can help us win the future.

I am looking forward to hearing from the current Issue Strategic Action Team (ISAT) that is working to identify our next plan of action. My daughter, Meagan Owen, happens to serve on that committee and I am hearing our industry’s workforce transition will continue to be a critical issue as we move into the future.

With baby boomers retiring faster than new talent enters into distribution and the trades, there is a need to critique and focus on training, succession planning, knowledge transfer and skills development — topics that will continue to be a vital focus of ASA.

And therefore our commitment to workforce programs and emerging talent will continue to be a growing bright spot within our industry.

ASA is uniquely positioned to convene, curate and accelerate solutions toward building a stronger tomorrow, but more than programming, we as distributors and people of this industry need to see ourselves as important.

We need to see ourselves as important for the sake of our people, for our manufacturers, for our service providers and for our communities in which we serve.

I want to see ASA in 2026 as an encourager to other people, to our families and to our communities. We can all have a positive impact on the lives of other people.

This industry is necessary, in fact, it’s a noble industry. We are capable of even more when we move together.

I again want to say thank you for the privilege of serving as the 57th president of the American Supply Association. I am honored and thrilled you have put your trust in me to lead this organization in 2026.