AD – AD announces newly formed Independent Electrical Supply Division (IESD) Supplier Advisory Council
.png)
Wayne, PA – AD is proud to announce the new Independent Electrical Supply Division’s (IESD) Supplier Advisory Council (SAC); a strategic group of supplier partners committed to the future of the independent electrical channel.
Following the successful merger of IMARK Electrical with AD, the newly formed Supplier Advisory Council, brings together a distinguished group of supplier leaders whose vision, expertise, and commitment will help guide the direction of the Independent Electrical Supply Division. These individuals represent some of the most respected organizations in the electrical industry and bring decades of experience in leadership, innovation, and customer-centric growth.
The launch of this important group reflects AD’s commitment to its governance model, which relies on the voice of member-owners and supplier partners to shape the future of independent distribution through active participation in committees and councils. This council serves as a vital platform for strategic dialogue, industry insight, and collaborative problem-solving.
Franklin “Sully” Sullivan, Senior Vice President of Industry Partnerships and Strategic Channel Accounts at ABB, will continue to serve as Chair of the SAC. “This Council is a testament to the strength of our partnerships and the shared belief in the power of independent distribution,” said Sullivan. “I’m honored to work alongside such a talented group of leaders who are passionate about driving meaningful change and delivering value to our customers.”
Marisol Fernandez, President of AD’s Electrical and Industrial Business Unit shared, “The SAC embodies our supplier partners’ commitment to servant leadership and highlights their loyalty to our channel. These leaders bring not only deep industry expertise but thought leadership that will help us navigate the evolving landscape of electrical distribution.”
Karen Baker, President of AD’s Independent Electrical Supply Division, added, “We are grateful to this group for their unwavering support. The IESD Supplier Advisory Council will partner with the Divisional Board, Product Committee, and AD staff to help us build future programs that continue to help our members compete and win.”
The newly formed SAC will officially kick off at the upcoming 2025 AD Electrical North American Meeting, scheduled for October 26–29, 2025 in Chicago, IL.
IESD Supplier Advisory Council Roster
Franklin (Sully) Sullivan, SVP Industry Partnerships and Strategic Channel Accounts: ABB
Norman Adkins, Chief Operating Officer: Southwire
Kevin Heffernan, Senior Vice President: Zekelman Industries
John Hoffman, Executive Vice President, Sales and Demand Creation: Legrand
Kraig Kasler, President: Cooper Lighting Solutions
Jason W. Kinander, CEO: Electri-Flex Company
Dave Merker, President: CANTEX Inc.
Steve Simpson, Global VP of Sales: nVent
Scott Teerlinck, President of Commercial Operations: Atkore
Terry Watson, Chief Customer Officer: Hubbell Incorporated
SourceAD
EMR Analysis
More information on AD – Affiliated Distributor: See the full profile on EMR Executive Services
More information on Bill Weisberg (Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, AD): See the full profile on EMR Executive Services
More information on Electrical & Industrial Business Unit by AD: See the full profile on EMR Executive Services
More information on Marisol Fernandez (President, Electrical and Industrial Business Unit, AD): See the full profile on EMR Executive Services
More information on Independent Electrical Supply Division (IESD) by Electrical & Industrial Business Unit by AD: See the full profile on EMR Executive Services
More information on Karen Baker (President, Independent Electrical Supply Division (IESD), Electrical & Industrial Business Unit, AD): See the full profile on EMR Executive Services
More information on ABB: See full profile on EMR Executive Services
More information on Morten Wierod (Chief Executive Officer and Member of the Group Executive Committee, ABB): See full profile on EMR Executive Services
More information on Franklin Sullivan (Senior Vice President, Industry Partnerships and Strategic Channel Accounts, ABB United States, ABB + Chairman, Supplier Advisory Council (SAC), Independent Electrical Supply Division (IESD), Electrical & Industrial Business Unit, AD): See the full profile on EMR Executive Services
More information on Southwire: See the full profile on EMR Executive Services
More information on Rich Stinson (President and Chief Executive Officer, Southwire): See the full profile on EMR Executive Services
More information on Norman Adkins (President of Wire and Cable and Chief Operating Officer + Responsibility for Tools, Components and Assembled Solutions (TCAS) Business, Southwire + President, International Cablemakers Federation (ICF) + Member of the Supplier Advisory Council (SAC), Independent Electrical Supply Division (IESD), Electrical & Industrial Business Unit, AD as from October 26, 2025): See the full profile on EMR Executive Services
More information on Zekelman Industries: https://www.zekelman.com/ + Zekelman is a family of companies — 100% domestic manufacturers — with a legacy dating back to 1877. We’re proud to be the largest independent steel pipe and tube manufacturer in North America and the leading innovator in multi-family housing development.
More information on Barry Zekelman (Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Zekelman Industries): https://www.zekelman.com/company/leadership/ + https://www.linkedin.com/in/barry-z-5a9a25268/
More information on Kevin Heffernan (Executive Vice President, Sales and Demand Creation, Zekelman Industries + Member of the Supplier Advisory Council (SAC), Independent Electrical Supply Division (IESD), Electrical & Industrial Business Unit, AD as from October 26, 2025): See the full profile on EMR Executive Services
More information on Legrand: See the full profile on EMR Executive Services
More information on Benoît Coquart (Chief Executive Officer, Legrand): See the full profile on EMR Executive Services
More information on Brian DiBella (President and Chief Executive Officer, Legrand North and Central America (LNCA), Legrand): See the full profile on EMR Executive Services
More information on John Hoffman (Executive Vice President, Sales & Demand Creation for the Channel, Electrical Wiring Systems (EWS) Division, Legrand North and Central America (LNCA), Legrand + Member of the Supplier Advisory Council (SAC), Independent Electrical Supply Division (IESD), Electrical & Industrial Business Unit, AD as from October 26, 2025): See the full profile on EMR Executive Services
More information on Signify: See the full profile on EMR Executive Services
More information on As Tempelman (Member of the Board + Chief Executive Officer, Signify): See the full profile on EMR Executive Services
More information on Cooper Lighting by Signify: https://www.cooperlighting.com/ + At Cooper Lighting Solutions, we build forward-thinking lighting solutions that make people’s lives safer, while making buildings, homes and cities smarter and more sustainable. We deliver an industry-leading portfolio of indoor and outdoor lighting, lighting controls and smart lighting systems.
We question, we seek and we solve. Because building a better world means asking tough questions and pushing harder for answers. Together with our customers, we create solutions that build a better world. At Cooper Lighting Solutions, we push past the ordinary to build brighter.
Cooper Lighting Solutions is a business unit of Signify, the world leader in lighting. Together we have a shared purpose to unlock the extraordinary potential of light for brighter lives and a better world.
More information on Kraig Kasler (President, Cooper Lighting Solutions, Signify + Member of the Supplier Advisory Council (SAC), Independent Electrical Supply Division (IESD), Electrical & Industrial Business Unit, AD as from October 26, 2025): See the full profile on EMR Executive Services
More information on Electri-Flex Company: https://www.electriflex.com + Electri-Flex has 70 years of success manufacturing the highest quality flexible liquidtight conduit in the Industry.
Founded in 1955, Electri-flex has perfected the design and manufacture of its line of nearly 50 flexible electrical conduits. A true innovator in the liquidtight conduit industry.
Making the best product doesn’t create success without sales, service and marketing programs that meet the needs of our customers. Our partners can expect outstanding service from fast shipments on in-stock items, as well as developing a conduit for unique applications. Our team of salesmen, customer service agents and application engineers can assist at every stage of the buying process.
Electri-Flex Company partners with the leaders in their markets and most of them have been a part of the Electri-Flex family for many years. The Company markets its full array of products through a network of professional manufacturers’ representatives who sell only to authorized electrical wholesalers.
More information on Jason W. Kinander (Owner and Chief Executive Officer, Electri-Flex Company + Member of the Supplier Advisory Council (SAC), Independent Electrical Supply Division (IESD), Electrical & Industrial Business Unit, AD as from October 26, 2025): See the full profile on EMR Executive Services
More information on CANTEX Inc.: https://www.cantexinc.com/ + CANTEX is a Leading Manufacturer of American-made PVC Electrical Conduit, Fittings and Boxes.
CANTEX began over 70 years ago as a division of Texas-Vitrified, a corporation serving the utility and building construction industry. As the plastics division grew steadily in size and importance, product lines expanded into several major categories of PVC products and CANTEX emerged. In the 90s, these product lines were narrowed to the PVC electrical and communications products needed to supply a new, highly technical era and the “NEW” CANTEX emerged. CANTEX became dedicated to exceptional service as it provided electrical distributors, contractors and end users with a broad line of superior PVC electrical conduit and fittings, elbows, and non-metallic residential switch, outlet and ceiling boxes to keep people powered and connected. CANTEX is now a leading producer of American -made PVC electrical conduit and fittings with manufacturing and distribution facilities strategically placed nationwide. Our facilities feature some of the most modern production equipment and process technology in the industry producing all-encompassing lines of PVC products to serve the power, utility, building construction and communications markets around the globe.
More information on Dave Merker (President, CANTEX Inc. + Member of the Supplier Advisory Council (SAC), Independent Electrical Supply Division (IESD), Electrical & Industrial Business Unit, AD as from October 26, 2025): See the full profile on EMR Executive Services
More information on nVent: See the full profile on EMR Executive Services
More information on Beth Wozniak (Chair & Chief Executive Officer, nVent): See full profile on EMR Executive Services
More information on Steve Simpson (Global Vice President, Sales, nVent + Member of the Supplier Advisory Council (SAC), Independent Electrical Supply Division (IESD), Electrical & Industrial Business Unit, AD as from October 26, 2025): See full profile on EMR Executive Services
More information on Atkore: See the full profile on EMR Executive Services
More information on Bill Waltz (President and Chief Executive Officer, Atkore until a successor is appointed + Representative of non-voting Member, and Board Member, NAED): See the full profile on EMR Executive Services
More information on Scott W. Teerlinck (President, Commercial Operations, Electrical Products, Atkore + Member of the Supplier Advisory Council (SAC), Independent Electrical Supply Division (IESD), Electrical & Industrial Business Unit, AD as from October 26, 2025): See the full profile on EMR Executive Services
More information on HUBBELL: See the full profile on EMR Executive Services
More information on Gerben W. Bakker (Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, HUBBELL): See the full profile on EMR Executive Services
More information on Terriel D. Watson (Chief Customer Officer, HUBBELL + Member of the Supplier Advisory Council (SAC), Independent Electrical Supply Division (IESD), Electrical & Industrial Business Unit, AD as from October 26, 2025): See the full profile on EMR Executive Services