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Expert Perspective

Graybar’s Mazzarella on AI, Advocacy and Distribution’s Human Advantage

Graybar Chairman, President and CEO Kathy Mazzarella — who also serves as NAW’s Chairman — recently joined NAW’s Distributors Deliver Podcast to discuss AI adoption, advocacy, organizational agility and leadership. The conversation offers distributors a roadmap for navigating disruption while preserving the human relationships that define the industry. Here’s our key takeaways and analysis.

May 12, 2026

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Lead photo: NAW CEO Eric Hoplin and Graybar Chairman, President and CEO Kathy Mazzarella seen on NAW's Distributors Deliver Podcast.

Graybar entered 2026 with considerable momentum. The St. Louis-based distributor posted 1Q sales of $3.3 billion — up 12.4% year-over-year — alongside record quarterly profit of $141.9 million, continuing the strong growth trajectory it carried through its centennial year in 2025. The company also expanded through acquisition, adding Oklahoma-based Broken Arrow Electric Supply in March, while continuing a broad operational and technology transformation…

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