Why This Matters to Distributors: AD’s decision to place a career manufacturer executive at the helm of its largest division — one representing more than 700 independent electrical distributors — signals that supplier relationships and channel advocacy will define how the post-merger IESD competes against national chains and large-format rivals.
AD named Chris Marlow president of its Independent Electrical Supply Division, effective May 1, the contractor and industrial supplies buying group announced April 17.
Marlow brings more than 25 years of electrical industry experience to the role. Since 2023, he has led U.S. and Latin America installation products sales at ABB. Before joining ABB, he spent three years at Cerrowire, following more than 18 years in sales leadership at Southwire.
Marisol Fernandez, president of AD’s Electrical & Industrial business unit, said Marlow’s background made him the right choice to take the division into its next phase. “Chris is a highly regarded and respected leader within the electrical segment,” Fernandez said. “His industry experience, market insight, and commitment to serving independent distributors will be a tremendous asset to our team.”
Marlow succeeds Karen Baker, who announced her retirement earlier this year.
“Throughout my career, I have had the great pleasure of working for several outstanding manufacturers alongside the best distributors in the business,” Marlow said. “I am honored to be joining AD and to be leading their largest division. I look forward to working closely with our best-in-class independent distributors, supplier partners, and the incredible team of AD associates.”
The Independent Electrical Supply Division was created from AD’s merger with IMARK Electrical, which closed in September 2024. The division now represents more than 700 independent electrical distributors in the United States, making it AD’s largest single division by member count. In his new role, Marlow will work in close partnership with AD leadership, the IESD board and the division’s member and supplier partners.
The appointment comes 18 months after the IMARK merger closed and follows AD’s April 6 rebranding of its Industrial & Safety — U.S. unit as Industrial, Safety and Construction, signaling a broader organizational realignment across AD’s business units.
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