Patricia A. Lilly will join the staff of the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW) on September 6, 2016 as Senior Vice President-Thought Leadership and Executive Director of the NAW Institute for Distribution Excellence.

Ms. Lilly has more than 30 years’ experience leading and guiding associations in the distribution marketplace. Currently, she provides executive leadership for three associations and serves as a strategic planning facilitator for associations and distribution organizations.

NAW President Dirk Van Dongen stated, “We are delighted to welcome Trish to the NAW staff to serve the entire wholesale distribution industry with the development of thought leadership materials. We are well acquainted with Trish’s professional capabilities as she is a Past Chair of NAW’s Association Executives Council, a former member of the NAW Board of Directors and Vice Chair of our research organization, the NAW Institute for Distribution Excellence. She has a deep understanding of distribution and is a very accomplished association executive with well-established, deep relationships throughout our industry.”

In her new roles with NAW and the NAW Institute, Ms. Lilly will have overall responsibility for creation and dissemination of industry thought leadership materials that identify industry trends and improve wholesale distribution companies’ productivity and profitability.

Ms. Lilly’s arrival at NAW coincides with the retirement of Ron Schreibman from the association.

According to Mr. Van Dongen, “Ron Schreibman has dedicated almost 40 years to NAW and has made huge contributions to the wholesale distribution industry. He has built the NAW Institute for Distribution Excellence into a major engine for thought leadership, which has helped enable our members to be best in class. I want to personally thank Ron for all he has done for our industry and NAW. He will be sorely missed.”