Lessons Learned From Those Who Have It All Together

The jan/san industry has no shortage of shining stars — people who stand out as highly talented and capable individuals with the enviable ability to lead by example. (We asked you in an August survey to nominate your ideal distributor leader, and the response we received was greater than expected.)

Given the number of nominations we received, narrowing the field and eventually settling on five people to profile wasn’t easy. But we believe this month’s cover story offers up a representative sampling of the most effective leadership styles present today among jan/san distribution companies.

While writing this month’s cover story, assistant editor Alex Runner learned that “Leadership” — also the title of the cover story — can’t be easily captured in one succinct definition. The distributors we profiled have formed their own definitions. There’s Michael Feenan, who manages the entire jan/san sales mission of distribution giant xpedx. Beth Riley poured her time and energy into facilitating a turnaround in warehousing efficiency for not one, but two jan/san distribution companies. We profile Charles Wax, who took over — and proceeded to rapidly grow — what’s now the largest family-owned jan/san distributor in the United States. Alex Monteith demonstrated his commitment to his employees by selling them half the company. Finally, Caldwell Smith pinned down Toyota’s president, Fujio Cho, to a supply contract after watching him speak at a business function — this man is a networker to his core. Each of these executives works under a unique set of circumstances and charts his or her own company’s business course according to their personal definitions of a leader.

Considering the difficult business environment of the past few years, we hope these stories serve as the nudge you need to form your own brand of business leadership.

In this month’s issue, we also unveil a new look for SM. We redesigned our departments with a contemporary, user-friendly approach in mind to keep things fresh and lively for you, our readers. Let us know what you think.