IDEA Forms Innovation Advisory Council

The Industry Data Exchange Association, Inc. (IDEA), Arlington, Va., announced the creation of an Innovation Advisory Council, comprised of thought leaders in the electrical wholesale distribution space from leading distributor and manufacturer companies.

The council will initially focus on developing an Innovating for the Future Plan to enhance manufacturer product content available to distributors through the Industry Data Warehouse (IDW). IDEA will work with the Innovation Advisory Council to determine the best ways to deliver additional product information through the IDW that will enable more efficient bids, sales transactions and eCommerce capabilities for distributors. 

Innovation Advisory Council distributor members: Barry Carden, V.P. & CIO, Mayer Electric Supply; Greg Chun, V.P. of Information Technology, McNaughton-McKay Electric Co.; Phil Hale, CIO, Elliott Electric; Les Johnson, V.P. & CIO, North Coast Electric; Jason Seger, V.P.-Procurement, Border States Electric; Bob Siegel, V.P.-Investment & Inventory Management, Graybar; and Jeff Skiles, director of Technology Support, Kirby Risk Electrical Supply (Task Force Chairman). Manufacturer members: Phil Barrios, senior director, Corporate Marketing & eBusiness, Hubbell Inc.; Chris Castleberry, director of Marketing, Thomas & Betts; Pat Quinn, CIO, Acuity Brands; Mark Richards, director of eCommerce, Leviton; Iram Shah, SVP Digital Customer Experience, Schneider Electric; Samer Shehadeh, manager of EDI & eCommerce, Eaton Electrical Sector; and Phil Tuggle, senior vice president, Southwire.

“These thought leaders bring unique knowledge and skills that complement those of the IDEA Board of Directors and extend the collaborative base of IDEA. The top priority for the council is to guide the enhancement of the product content in the IDW based on what our customers have identified as their most important needs in the growing digital economy,” said Bob Gaylord, President and CEO, IDEA.