NAW National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors

The Fellows Program was established in 2001. It is intended to recognize outstanding individuals from the academic and consulting communities doing excellent work to expand the body of knowledge about the wholesale distribution industry. When it comes to research and authoring practical reports that can assist distribution companies to be more profitable, these Fellows are our crown jewels.

Adam J. Fein, Ph.D.

In 2001, Adam J. Fein, Ph.D., President, Pembroke Consulting, Inc., Philadelphia, PA, became our first Fellow.

Pembroke Consulting is dedicated to helping executives from wholesale distribution, manufacturing, and business-to-business technology companies with distribution and marketing-related issues.

Fein consults with manufacturers on channel strategy, assists distributors with industry analysis and planning, and advises technology companies on marketing strategy. He is also a popular and provocative keynote speaker for executive planning sessions and industry meetings around the world.

Fein is the author of Facing the Forces of Change®: Lead the Way in the Supply Chain (2007) and the 2007 Wholesale Distribution Economic Reports.

J. Michael Marks

J. Michael Marks, Managing Partner of Indian River Consulting Group, Melbourne, FL, became the second Fellow in 2002.

Indian River Consulting Group (IRCG) is an experience-driven firm that continues to focus on the wholesale distribution channel.

Prior to forming IRCG, Marks held the position of Executive Vice President at Lex Electronics, an $800 million vertically integrated electronics distributor in Stamford, CT. Prior to that, he was Director of Corporate Training and Development at Ducommon Inc. in Los Angeles, CA, a $400 million industrial distribution company.

Marks is coauthor of Working at Cross-Purposes: How Distributors and Manufacturers Can Manage Conflict Successfully (2006) and What's Your Plan? Smart Salesforce Compensation in Wholesale Distribution (2003).

E. Neil Gholson

E. Neil Gholson, Deloitte Consulting LLP’s Global Segment Leader, Wholesale Distribution, was named a Fellow in 2004.

Located in St. Louis, MO, Gholson has been Deloitte’s lead client service partner for Graybar Electric Company, Inc. and industry advisor for W.W. Grainger. He has led several ERP projects for companies such as SPX, Johnson Diversey, and Japan Tobacco.

Gholson is coauthor of Driving Growth and Shareholder Value: The Distribution Value Map™ (2006).

Brent R. Grover

Brent R. Grover, President of Evergreen Consulting, LLC, Cleveland, OH, was name a Fellow in 2005.

Evergreen Consulting advises owner managers of closely held distribution and manufacturing companies on the challenges of strategy and ownership succession.

Grover, former CEO of National Paper & Packaging Co., served as Chairman of the NAW Member Association: National Paper Trade Association in 1993.

Grover is the author of The Acquisitive Distributor: 4 Keys to Success When Buying a Wholesale Distribution Business (2005) and More to the Bottom Line: Customer Profitability Analysis Tools for Distributors (2004).