About
Distribution Strategy Group helps you compete and win. In an evolving business environment marked by digital transformation,
shifting customer preferences, and the pivotal role of AI, we are your go-to source for research-backed webinars, whitepapers, blogs, and live events that will help you make better decisions. Our proprietary, specialized, distributor-focused analytics systems provide actionable insights you can use to drive superior outcomes with customers, employees, and versus competitors.
Distribution Strategy Group: Thought Leadership for Wholesale Change Agents.
Ian G. Heller
Co-Founder & Chief Strategy Officer
Ian Heller has more than 30 years of experience executing marketing and e-business strategy in the wholesale distribution industry. He has written and spoken extensively on the impact of digital disruption on distributors.
Ian entered the distribution industry as a truck unloader at a Grainger branch while in college. He eventually became Vice President of Marketing there and has since held senior executive roles at GE Capital, Corporate Express, Newark Electronics and HD Supply. Ian most recently served as President and COO for Modern Distribution Management, a specialized information and analytics firm serving the wholesale distribution industry.
Ian earned a BA in History from Roosevelt University and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, where he was elected commencement speaker by his classmates and won the Dean’s Distinguished Service Award.
Jonathan Bein, Ph.D.
Co-Founder and Managing Partner
Jonathan Bein Ph.D. has worked with over 100 distributors to apply advanced analytics and AI to improve customer experience, define value proposition, estimate sales potential and create digital strategy.
Before Distribution Strategy Group, Bein has successfully led and been part of executive management for software product and services companies in information technology, healthcare and communications. Bein has been CEO of several companies including:
- SkyeTek — grew revenues and valuation four-fold of RFID manufacturer in seven months.
- IGS, Inc. — delivered software solutions for companies such as AT&T, Comcast, Verizon, and Lucent.
- Bolder Heuristics, Inc. — achieved Inc 500 ranking with software services for telecommunications, healthcare, and IT.
As CTO at Informed Access, a provider of phone-based healthcare triage, he drove development of core products and services and the company was subsequently sold for $300 million. At Martin Marietta, he applied artificial intelligence to perform automatic real-time fault handling of spacecraft hardware.
Bein earned his Ph.D. in Computer Science at the University of Colorado with a focus in Artificial Intelligence and a BA in Computer Science at Indiana University.
Brian Hopkins
Chief Customer Officer
Brian Hopkins is recognized for his expertise in customer service and operational efficiency within the industrial distribution sector. His career trajectory showcases a series of impactful leadership roles, marked by innovation and strategic growth.
Notably, at W.W. Grainger (2002-2011), Brian significantly enhanced call center operations, and deployed the Grainger strategy by leading an operational staff of 7 direct reports and more than 800 employees in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Iowa Call Centers. His tenure as District Branch Operations Manager and Branch Manager demonstrated his proficiency in managing large-scale operations, overseeing 18 branches with $200 million in revenue, and effectively running a $25 million branch operation.
Subsequent roles include driving operational and customer service transformation at HD Supply Power Solutions (2011-2015), leading customer experience innovations at Hisco (2015-2020), and enhancing multi-site customer service strategies at Redi Carpet (2020-2022) and AZP Multifamily (2022-2023).
Brian Hopkins’ career is a reflection of his unwavering dedication to customer service excellence and operational efficiency in industrial distribution. His tenure, especially at W.W. Grainger, has had a lasting impact, showcasing his capacity to innovate and lead in complex, multi-site operational environments. His academic background, including an MBA and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management, complements his extensive practical experience.
Brian has consistently demonstrated his ability to lead, innovate, and drive sustainable growth across various operational landscapes.
Dave Cappelli
Director of Business Development
Dave began his career as a Territory Account Executive at the Chicago Sun Times and soon after was a Retail Category Manager where he worked with paper’s largest clients.
Dave has spent the last 16 years at Digital Commerce 360 and worked on the Internet Retailer Conference and Exhibition which at the time was the world’s largest eCommerce event, The Top 500 Guide and various custom content pieces, webinars and reports. He most recently served as Vice President of Sales and Product Development.
Mark Van Ryn
Director of Business Development
Mark Van Ryn is an experienced manager working in sales, logistics, supply chain, and operations. He spent his early career as the director for an animal feed company, facilitating the procurement and delivery of animal protein meals from suppliers in North America to customers based throughout SE Asia.
Most recently he served as the US director, helping to establish a vanilla company based in Uganda, Africa. In addition to overseeing business development, inventory management, and sales, Mark assumed roles in marketing and administration.
Mark values developing relationships with clients and customers, and places high priority on consistent communication and service for maximum growth, efficiency and benefit.
Raphael Bein
Business Analyst
Raphael has begun his professional journey conducting in-depth analysis of e-commerce, AI, and technology trends within the distribution sector.
A power AI user, his work includes market demand analysis using Distribution Strategy Group’s Demand RX and Customer RX tools, while managing the organization’s backend survey data catalogue. His responsibilities have included supporting on-site event logistics and operations. Raphael studied at the University of Colorado, Boulder.
Julie Cameron
Operations Manager
Julie brings over 15 years of operational and event management experience to her role at Distribution Strategy Group (DSG). As Office Manager and Event Coordinator, she plays a pivotal role in orchestrating the company’s webinars and online events. Her responsibilities encompass coordinating with speakers, managing schedules, and ensuring seamless execution of over 40 annual digital events that reach thousands of distribution industry professionals.
Working closely with DSG’s analyst team and industry experts, Julie ensures seamless delivery of the company’s renowned Best Practice Studies, Technology Leader Panels, and Distribution Leader Panels. Her attention to detail and commitment to excellence aligns with DSG’s mission to provide strategic guidance through insights, consulting, and analytics.
Before joining DSG, Julie managed operations and events for several companies, giving her valuable perspective on creating engaging virtual experiences that deliver real value to participants. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Loyola University Chicago, and a Master’s degree in Computer Information Systems from the University of Denver.