Why This Matters to Distributors: Specialty distributors are increasingly building executive teams around digital commerce, merchandising and supply chain operations as competition shifts toward scale, service integration, and technology capabilities.
TestEquity has named five senior executives and promoted a longtime company leader as the company expands its digital commerce, merchandising and supply chain operations across North America.
The North Richland Hills, Texas-based distributor announced the appointments May 26, saying the leadership changes are part of a broader growth strategy focused on customer experience, operational efficiency and digital expansion across the electronics manufacturing and test and measurement market.
The moves come under CEO Barry Litwin, who was appointed chief executive in July 2025. Litwin previously served as CEO of Global Industrial and held senior leadership positions at Office Depot, Adorama, and Sears.
TestEquity appointed Jacob Harris chief sales officer, Karen McGowan chief people officer, John Leahy chief merchandising officer, Clifton Wu chief of staff and strategy, and Klaus Werner chief digital and marketing officer. The company also promoted William Bland to president of TestEquity/DSG Mexico.
Litwin said the new executives were brought in to strengthen the company’s commercial operations, supplier partnerships, and digital commerce capabilities.
Harris joined TestEquity in January after 26 years at Arrow Electronics, where he held regional and global sales leadership positions focused on electronics and test equipment distribution. He now oversees sales operations, customer growth, and supplier partnerships.
Leahy joined the company in April after merchandising and sourcing leadership roles at Grainger and True Value. He is responsible for product assortment, supplier management, and pricing strategy.
Werner previously led digital commerce and transformation initiatives at Global Industrial, HD Supply and Lowe’s. At TestEquity, he oversees digital commerce, marketing, and customer analytics.
Wu joined TestEquity in 2025 after strategy and operations roles at Global Industrial and Citigroup. McGowan previously held senior human resources leadership positions at Swarovski and Gap Inc.
Bland, who has 30 years of experience with Hisco and TestEquity, will oversee operations across 12 locations in Mexico and Central America.
TestEquity distributes test and measurement equipment, electronics production supplies and related services, including inventory management, calibration, and equipment rental. The company operates under brands including TestEquity, Hisco and TEquipment and is an operating company of Distribution Solutions Group.
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