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.
Claire Chaplais
VP, Operations
Claire Chaplais is Distribution Strategy Group’s VP of Operations. She has more than 25 years of experience in operations and marketing communications strategy and management, primarily in the high-tech industry.
With extensive experience and a strong track record in business development, content marketing and events, Claire has worked for companies including Wind River Systems, StorageTek, Harris Broadcasting and Gestalt IT. Claire prefers fast paced environments, and thrives on developing and implementing successful business operations plans, and on motivating great teams to deliver strong and successful programs.
At Distribution Strategy Group, Claire oversees all operations, including project and program management; client contracts and communications; human resources, contract management and more. She ensures we deliver programs on time, and helps us meet the goals of our company, our audience and our clients.
Claire graduated from the EM Normadie School of Business with a BS in Business and Marketing
Dakotah Kirchenwitz
Director of Business Development
Dakotah is focused on ensuring the creation of engaging and useful content for Distribution Strategy Group’s distributor audience and optimizing results for DSG’s partners.
Starting his career as a warehouse worker, Kirchenwitz has eight years of sales and marketing experience in the construction and distribution industries. He worked up to warehouse management and then moved into a customer-facing sales role.