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Building a Bridge Between Generations, featuring Jeff McLendon
August 17 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm EDT

In nearly 20 years with Specialty Building Products, Jeff has served as CFO, President and COO, and now CEO. Throughout his long career, which has included many acquisitions, a company name change (SBP was formerly known as U.S. LUMBER) and most recently, new ownership, Jeff has focused on building great teams.
Jeff knows this means recruiting great new talent to go along with the experienced veterans. SBP has earned a reputation as a great place to work for Millennials and Generation Z employees – and not just because Jeff plays video games with them. He’ll be joining us on the Wholesale Change show on Aug. 17, where Ian and Jonathan will ask him about the part he has played in building such a successful company.
Sign up to watch live on Aug. 17 at 9 PT/12 ET so you can ask your questions, too. Or to receive a link to the recording or podcast.
Details
- Date:
- August 17
- Time:
-
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm EDT
- Event Category:
- Upcoming Wholesale Change Show
- Website:
- https://pages.distributionstrategy.com/acton/media/6612/building-a-bridge-between-generations-featuring-jeff-mclendon

Macroeconomics I: Inflation and Interest Rates
August 25 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm EDT

Top of mind for many distribution executives, inflation is currently at the highest level in more than 40 years. The Federal Reserve has been raising interest rates for several months to try and bring down inflation – so far to no avail. That’s because the Fed uses the Federal Funds Rate – the basis for all other borrowing costs such as mortgages, auto loans, credit cards and business loans – as a tool to manage inflation.
In this episode of The Discerning Distributor, Alex Chausovsky will dig into this critical topic to help you better understand that relationship, and what you can expect in the face of a potential economic slowdown.
Join us on Aug. 25, 2022, at 9 PT/12 ET for a live presentation – and come with your own questions.
Details
- Date:
- August 25
- Time:
-
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm EDT
- Event Category:
- Upcoming Discerning Distributor
- Website:
- https://pages.distributionstrategy.com/acton/media/6612/macroeconomics-i-inflation-and-interest-rates
Related Events

Macroeconomics II: Commodity and Input Prices
September 8 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm EDT

Volatile commodity prices have made it difficult for the distribution community to predict input costs and manage budgets since the start of the pandemic. The fallout of this volatility includes squeezed margins and pressured profitability for distributors across a spectrum of industries. The decelerating macroeconomy in mid-2022 reflects a pivotal change from the aggressive pace of business in 2021, with commodities like copper, steel, lumber and oil all declining in price.
In this episode, host Alex Chausovsky and his guest will explore the factors that drive commodity and input prices. They will also discuss the current and likely future trajectory of commodities and other input costs, and provide guidance on what distribution leaders need to do now to prepare their business for what’s to come.
Details
- Date:
- September 8
- Time:
-
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm EDT
- Event Category:
- Upcoming Discerning Distributor
- Website:
- https://Pages.DistributionStrategy.com/acton/media/6612/macroeconomics-ii-commodity-and-input-prices
Related Events
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AI-Driven Digital Operating Models Scale Farther, Faster
AI is exponential by design – and is poised to be as transformational to our economy and lives as the Industrial Revolution. That means AI-driven digital operating models scale farther, faster. Distributors are well-positioned to take advantage of AI because they have a lot of transactional and product data; the industry has limited regulation unlike other industries such as healthcare; and there is a technology gap. Very few have built good technology for this market. There’s a lot of opportunity for gain.