The NAW Institute for Distribution Excellence (The Institute) is a leading provider of research, development, and education exclusively for and about the wholesale distribution industry.

Mission Statement

The mission of the NAW Institute is to sponsor and disseminate research into strategic management and transformation issues affecting the wholesale distribution industry.

Innovation & Media Hub

The NAW Institute Innovation & Media Hub brings together the tools, platforms, and thought leadership resources NAW has built for distribution leaders. Whether you’re exploring AI adoption, tracking industry trends, or looking for expert perspective on what’s next, this is your starting point.

Meet the NAW Institute Board

The Institute Board is comprised of best-in-class wholesaler-distributors and executives of leading wholesale distribution associations across a wide line of trades. Our board members share an intellectual curiosity, a collaborative & innovative mindset and they are leading thinkers interested in transformational strategies to enhance distributor performance.

Who We Are & What We Do

The NAW Institute for Distribution Excellence is the research and education arm of the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors. As a 501(c)(3) organization, the Institute empowers distributors to stay ahead of change, challenge convention, and lead the evolution of the industry.

We don’t just study the distribution landscape—we actively shape it. Through bold research, practical learning programs, and strategic collaborations, we help wholesaler-distributors anticipate what’s coming, adapt with agility, and uncover new ways to compete and grow.

Our work focuses on the most urgent and emerging issues in distribution across:

• People – including leadership development, talent strategy, and workforce readiness
• Processes – such as sales effectiveness, customer experience, and operational innovation
• Technology – including AI, digital platforms, data intelligence, and emerging tools

We publish forward-looking studies, deliver applied learning experiences, and create actionable resources for executives, managers, and frontline teams across all lines of trade. Everything we do is designed to spark progress—not just for individual businesses, but for the future of distribution itself.

Recent and Upcoming NAW Institute Initiatives

• Nucleus™
• Applied AI Consortium
• Distributor Executive Networks (DENs)
• Innovation Workshops – Upcoming Project 2026
• Podcast: Distribution at the Crossroads – Upcoming Project 2026

NAW Institute Fellows

The NAW Fellows Program brings together forward-thinking leaders from across the distribution industry to explore its most pressing challenges and opportunities. Rather than following a traditional fellowship model, Fellows engage in applied, flexible work—contributing to conversations, testing ideas, sharing real-world experiences, and, when appropriate, developing projects that advance the industry. Topics often include AI adoption, workforce strategy, supply chain resilience, and business model innovation.

If you’re interested in applying to become an NAW Fellow, please email Patti Rausch at [email protected]

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Honorary Directors for Life & Fellows Emeritus

• Donald Carlson
• J. Michael Moore
• Joe Nettemeyer
• Bob Roberts
• Byron Potter
• In Memoriam – Dirk Van Dongen

• Dr. Barry Lawrence – Fellow Emeritus
• Mark Dancer – Fellow Emeritus
• Brent Grover – Fellow Emeritus
• Mike Marks – Fellow Emeritus

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