Why This Matters to Distributors: As wholesale distributors expand through acquisitions and new branches, leadership development and succession planning are becoming increasingly important. Winsupply’s investment in its field leadership reflects a broader focus on helping local distributors grow while recruiting the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Winsupply Inc. has expanded its national area leader team after opening 11 local companies and completing four acquisitions during the past year, adding leadership resources to support growth across its network of independently operated distributors.
The Dayton, Ohio-based distributor said it has increased its area leader team to 13 members with the appointments of Terry Dickens and Luke Larkin. The company said the expansion is designed to provide more strategic support to local company presidents as they grow market share, scale their businesses and develop future leaders.
Area Leaders recruit new local company presidents, serve as business advisers and board members to independently operated local companies, and provide coaching and operational guidance within their assigned territories.
Dickens joins the area leader team after serving as president of Olathe Winwater for 27 years. He began his Winsupply career in 1989 as a driver at KC Winwater and will work alongside arealLeader Jesse Backman to support high-growth opportunities across the company’s network.
Larkin succeeds Steve Lyon, who retired in June, as the Area Leader responsible for Florida. Most recently, Larkin served as president of South Atlanta Winsupply. He previously held leadership positions at Bowling Green Winnelson and Fayetteville Winnelson.
Winsupply said the larger area leader team will allow it to provide more focused coaching for local company presidents while strengthening entrepreneur recruitment and leadership succession across its network.
The company operates through a decentralized ownership model in which local presidents hold majority ownership in their businesses while receiving purchasing, business services, and operational support from the parent organization.
Founded in 1956, Winsupply’s network includes more than 680 wholesale distribution companies serving contractors and industrial customers across the United States. The company reported fiscal 2025 sales of $8.4 billion and employs more than 9,500 people.
Winsupply Local Companies distribute plumbing, HVAC, electrical, waterworks, pipes, valves and fittings, pumps, irrigation, fasteners, and other products serving residential, commercial, industrial, municipal, and maintenance, repair, and operations markets.
Do not miss any content from Distribution Strategy Group. Join our list.
Share this article:
