{"id":40123,"date":"2020-05-07T10:33:21","date_gmt":"2020-05-07T17:33:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/?p=40123"},"modified":"2021-01-28T15:46:23","modified_gmt":"2021-01-28T23:46:23","slug":"the-art-of-success-saluting-the-2020-difference-makers-of-the-imaging-technology-world","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/difference-makers\/2020\/05\/the-art-of-success-saluting-the-2020-difference-makers-of-the-imaging-technology-world\/","title":{"rendered":"The Art of Success: Saluting the 2020 Difference Makers of the Imaging Technology World"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In no other year in recent memory has the ability to serve as a difference maker ever meant so much in our personal lives. The unique event that has dominated our world in 2020 and sent us scrambling to the comfort and safety of our homes has served as a reminder to the value and need of people who can make a positive impact on our lives.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we turn on our televisions each night to an onslaught of\nnews surrounding coronavirus and the toll it has taken from a physical and\nemotional standpoint, we are heartened by the tales of good deeds. Nurses,\ndoctors and first responders are risking their lives in order to shoulder the\nburden of new cases, hospitalizations and, as of May 1, nearly 65,000 deaths. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Difference
2020 Difference Makers<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

That doesn\u2019t take into account the thousands of people who\nserve as volunteers or in essential roles to ensure our quarantined lives\ninclude food on the table and electricity in our homes. The depth of their\nsupport is immeasurable, and their role in making a difference in our lives\nmust not go unheralded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are also reminded of the people who, through their words\nand deeds, carve out their own niche as difference makers in our professional\nlives. And that is the foundation of our annual ENX Magazine<\/em> Difference Maker program. This year, we honor 55\nindividuals from throughout the imaging technology universe who have left an\nindelible impression by serving their clients, companies and business partners while\nbringing calm to calamity and resolution to disarray.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every walk of professional station is adequately represented\non this year\u2019s list. But whether they have a corner office or a small cubicle,\nthe bond among this year\u2019s honorees is a willingness to do those things not\nlisted in the job description, or necessarily within the bounds of the 8-5 day,\nin order to ensure an optimal outcome. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We would like to thank all of our readers who took the time\nto nominate the individuals selected for this year\u2019s class, and offer a hearty\nvirtual handshake to the honorees themselves. Here are their stories:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Patrick Adesso is a difference maker: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Patrick Adesso<\/strong>
Chief Information Officer
DEX Imaging <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Adesso is a nine-year veteran of the imaging industry with a\nbackground rooted in aviation\u2014he holds a commercial pilot certificate with\nmulti-engine and instrument ratings. He has been writing software since the\n1990s and turned that passion into a profession in 2004, when he developed\nsoftware to support operations at airports throughout the United States. Adesso\ntransitioned to DEX Imaging in 2011, where he furthered the development of its\nproprietary managed print system to support rapid company growth. He was also\ncharged with securing intellectual property protection for DEX\u2019s technological\nassets, for which more than 10 U.S. and international patents have been issued.\nAdesso now leads the DEX Imaging Information Technology Services group, building\nand supporting solutions that rapidly integrate acquired entities and streamline\nthe daily operations throughout DEX\u2019s distributed footprint. The Florida\nInstitute of Technology product enjoys video game development, Tampa Bay\nLighting hockey and auto racing in all forms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA rising star in our industry. Patrick is one of the finest minds in our industry, and he is making a huge difference for our dealers and the channel. He will become more and more visible and certainly more influential. Patrick is brilliant, personable and someone who is changing the face of our industry!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014Michael Stramaglio,<\/strong> President<\/strong>, MWA<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Giuseppe Alleva is a difference maker:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Giuseppe Alleva<\/strong>
Vice President of HP Sales \u2013 NAMM Team Leader
Coast to Coast Computer Products <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Affectionately known as \u201cG,\u201d Alleva has fashioned a 31-year career\nwith Coast to Coast Computer Products while wearing various hats. He serves as\nboth vice president of HP sales and a sales team leader, not to mention\noverseeing a list of his loyal clients. His Coast to Coast HP Advantage Program\nhas been instrumental in cultivating the company\u2019s relationship with HP. Fueled\nby Alleva\u2019s motivation, desire, training and assistance, the Coast to Coast\nregistered hundreds of five-year agreements in less than six months for HP OEM\ntoner, monitoring and service. Executives within HP have praised Alleva for his\nefforts, and his career has been dotted by numerous sales awards. He has also\nbeen recognized by many motivational speakers for his enthusiasm, training and\ncontinued success. An avid music lover, Alleva formed the Coast to Coast NAMM\nteam and found a way to poise Coast to Coast as the HP provider to the music\nindustry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGiuseppe can get anyone fired up for success! His patience, demeanor and enthusiasm not only helps our sales team, but has also helped him to retain customers for 20-plus years. I have worked with G-Sep for 21 years now and am proud to have seen him continue to grow his team, his sales and his education in the industry. He is ingenious in continual business development, personal growth development and in growing successful salespeople in our company. Most importantly, he is really just a big, sensitive teddy bear!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014Melissa Sevatdjoo, Technology Sales Manager, Coast to Coast Computer Products<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why John Beard is a difference maker:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
John Beard<\/strong>
Senior Vice President of Portfolio Quality
LEAF Commercial Capital <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

In his role with LEAF Commercial Capital, Beard oversees risk\nmanagement for office products. In a hypercompetitive market, the need for\nthorough credit assessment has to be carefully considered against high\nservice-level expectations with quick turnaround times, and he deftly balances\nboth. Beard is a champion for premier service delivery combined with a finely developed\nsense of risk and a deep appreciation for the value of a hard-won sale. Beard\nbrings all three to the table, making him an extraordinary asset not only for\nLEAF, but the office technology industry as a whole. As the business community\ngrapples with an unprecedented business environment, Beard\u2019s crisis management\nskills can help dealers and their customers navigate through the uncertainty\nand challenges. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs a key influencer in the equipment finance industry, John has progressive views on underwriting, and has made a significant and lasting impact by simplifying the process to benefit dealers and drive sales. With his vast experience across companies of all sizes and business cycles, John has an intimate understanding of business credit profiles and knows how to get business and office technology dealers to achieve effective outcomes through the use of creative financing structures. In any situation, John is always proactive in developing solutions to help both dealers and customers meet their day-to-day challenges. His commitment to excellence and professionalism are second to none.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014Miles Herman, President and COO, LEAF Commercial Capital<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Charles Bethel is a difference maker:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Charles Bethel<\/strong>
Regional Vice President
Cannon IV and FTG Greater Ohio <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The mark of a true business leader is ensuring that team members\nreach their full potential, and Bethel certainly fits that description. Backed\nby more than 20 years of leadership experience, Bethel has amassed an extensive\nskillset in building high-powered sales teams, improving operations and\ndelivering state-of-the-art solutions to customers. In his current role as\nregional vice president, his focus centers on Cannon IV and FTG of Greater\nOhio. Bethel continues to demonstrate an unparalleled ability to assemble and\nfoster high-performing teams geared toward achieving exceptional business\noutcomes. The Wake Forest University product also spent 11 years with IKON\nOffice Solutions as a marketplace business unit leader, where he was\nresponsible for a $130 million state-based operation. Prior to becoming a vice\npresident at Cannon IV, Bethel spent 10 years at Ricoh USA. He was initially\nvice president of strategic sales for the southeast region, then became vice president\/managing\ndirector, with full responsibility for Florida operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe is genuinely passionate and cares deeply for the company he works for and the employees under his direction. Charles gets involved in the process and focuses on helping every person succeed. Not only does he epitomize the definition of a leader, he has a clear vision on how to get the job done and energizes those around him. He knows how to develop strong teams and deliver business results. Charles\u2019 ability to look at a situation and come up with fresh and innovative ways to solve a client\u2019s business challenges from an executive point of view make him a valuable asset for any organization.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014John Byxbee, President, Flo-Tech<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Dan Boehmer is a difference maker:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Dan Boehmer<\/strong>
Sales Operations Manager
Supplies Network <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Ensuring the best possible customer experience is a hallmark for product and service providers, and this is just one area where Boehmer shines for Supplies Network. He came aboard at the onset of 2013 as a dedicated and disciplined sales representative for the business development region and quickly ascended within the organization. In 2014, he transitioned to account manager for the central region, working with managed print services customers to increase operational efficiencies for Supplies Network\u2019s resellers. Boehmer then was promoted to sales manager two short years later before attaining his current role of sales operations manager in 2019. His firm grasp of Supplies Network\u2019s CRM and order management systems helped launch him into sales operations. Boehmer is a four-time recipient of Supplies Network\u2019s President\u2019s Club award that recognizes the company\u2019s top sales performers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur business is becoming increasingly complex with manufacturer programs, reseller authorization and contractual requirements. Add to that our own recent distribution center expansions, and it can be a bit intense at times. Dan is the epitome of the expression \u2018keep calm and chive on.\u2019 His proactive, disciplined planning and collaborative approach ensure our sales operations team maintains a consistent, industry-leading customer experience.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014Karen Donnelly, Director of Sales Operations, Supplies Network<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Betty Bollinger is a difference maker:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Betty Bollinger<\/strong>
GEM Sales Manager
Smile Business Products <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Serving the government, education and medical (GEM) field as a\nsales manager calls for a particular set of skills. Bollinger is the Liam\nNeeson of the office technology dealer space and Smile Business Products\u2019\nresident expert. She can handle it all, from government bid language and senate\nbill numbers to replying on a bid or reading a contract. Bollinger has spent\nthe last 10 years of her 27-year career with Smile, helping build a dedicated\nand knowledgeable team that exemplifies her commitment to employee development\nand customer satisfaction. She has been a key cog in Smile\u2019s ability to\nmaintain the dealer\u2019s contract with the State of California. Bollinger\u2019s\nbackground includes three years as a government account executive with Sharp\nElectronics and 14 years with Toshiba America Business Solutions\/Stringer\nBusiness Systems in various roles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI have worked with Betty for the past 10 years, and her hard work and dedication have been an integral part of our success. Her attention to detail is impeccable and she never forgets a thing! She will work tirelessly on a bid to make sure we don\u2019t miss a key component or make a costly error. When it comes to tracking an order, she knows where the equipment is at all times, and nothing is slipping through the cracks. She works closely with her team on a daily basis, lending a hand when needed. Smile is so lucky to have her on our team.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014Patsy Cutler, Marketing Manager, Smile Business Products<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Valerie Briseno is a difference maker:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Valerie Briseno<\/strong>
Marketing Director
BTA<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

While she provides valuable insight and support to the members of the Business Technology Association (BTA) Board of Directors in their management of the association\u2019s strategies and objectives, Briseno also has a hand in BTA\u2019s website maintenance, email marketing promotion, trade show management and various day-to-day marketing activities. BTA\u2019s marketing director and a member of the staff since 2006, Briseno has tackled tough chores in a number of areas, including three major revisions of the content in the association\u2019s FIX: Cost Management for Service manual. She also manages the Select Dealer Group peer group, vendor membership sales and support, and database management. Anyone who has ever attended a BTA-sponsored trade show, dealer meeting, educational seminar, conference, board meeting or special event can instantly recognize Briseno handling registration and other functions to help make them a success. She\u2019s always seeking a better, faster, more economical way to maximize the value of a BTA membership. Prior to joining BTA, the University of Central Missouri graduate worked for an ad specialty distributor, provided marketing for an electronic cable tester manufacturer and served as a loan officer. Briseno recently obtained an MBA from Western Governors University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cValerie always seems to be saying \u2018Yes, I\u2019ll take care of that for you.\u2019 While speaking on the phone, she always has a smile in her voice. If you frequently attend BTA events, you\u2019ll recognize Valerie as the do-everything lady sitting at the registration table. Or she may be talking with hotel management, or the catering department requesting more hors d\u2019oeuvres at the reception, or taking a last-minute reservation for the evening entertainment for a BTA member. She also played a key role in the planning of the event, determined the budget, negotiated the discounted hotel pricing, updated the BTA web page, managed the design and printing of the daily itineraries and prepared the name badges. She is always enthusiastic and ready to do whatever is necessary to make a BTA event run smoothly.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014Ronelle Ingram, Senior Instructor, Business Technology Association<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Jim Cerkleski is a difference maker:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Jim Cerkleski<\/strong>
Chairman
Clover Imaging Group <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s no denying that Jim Cerkleski is an entrepreneur who\nenjoys the challenge of starting from scratch to attain multimillion-dollar\nsuccess. In fact, he\u2019s done it three times. Cerkleski founded Superior Office\nProducts and grew the business to $15 million within five years before selling\nit to U.S. Office Products. Not long after, he founded Superior Wireless to\ncapitalize on the then-developing wireless market. But it\u2019s his current\nventure, as executive chairman of the board for Clover Imaging Group, which\ncapped off his trio of conquests. In 2000, he purchased 60% of Clover\u2019s stock,\nthen steered the company from a local imaging supplies remanufacturer to a\nglobal leader in the aftermarket imaging supplies and recycling services space.\nHe fronted the separation of Clover from its debt-laden 4L Technologies parent,\npurchased the assets of bankrupt LMI Solutions and launched a Silver Bullet\nprogram that counteracted manufacturer attempts to undercut pricing\u2014all in 2019\nalone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cJim Cerkleski has faced many challenges competing against the powerful OEMs and the Chinese new-build industry. His steadfast leadership has allowed Clover to win against the odds. Today, Clover is unleashed and Jim is taking the company to new heights. His experience and leadership in the document imaging channel is needed and appreciated by many.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014Ray Stasieczko, Founder\/CEO, TEASRA, The Innovation Channel<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Cathy Chambers is a difference maker:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Cathy Chambers<\/strong>
Director of Finance
Imagine Technology Group <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Chambers boasts 20-plus years of operational accounting experience\nwith mid- and large-sized companies in full growth mode. Blessed with a\nrelentless work ethic, she values corporate loyalty and effectively uses\nemployee resources to achieve optimal performance and results. A key cog in\nImagine Technology Group\u2019s organization since 2015, she embraces the philosophy\nof shaking things up in order to be competitive. A graduate of Simpson College\nwith a BA in accounting, Chambers spent nearly four years as an auditor with\nDoubleTree Hotels in Phoenix before moving on to Enterprise Rent-A-Car, where\nshe was an accounting manager for 14 years. Just prior to joining Imagine\nTechnology Group, Chambers was the director of finance\/controller for Marcolin\nUSA, an Italian-based fashion eyewear distributor. A lover of all things\noutdoors, she enjoys spending her free time hiking, running, mountain biking\nand camping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCathy has enjoyed a great deal of success inside of our industry and has carried her tremendous leadership, financial skills and remarkable business acumen to Imagine Technology Group, helping them to enjoy significant year over year growth. Cathy is a finance director who demonstrates the rare combination of fiscal responsibility and business sensitivity.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014Michael Stramaglio, President, MWA<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Michele Cockins is a difference maker:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Michele Cockins<\/strong>
Director of Subsidiary Sales
Toshiba Business Solutions <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

An infectious smile, voluminous knowledge driven by 29 years of\nexperience at Toshiba and a passion to help others succeed have been the\ncalling cards for Cockins. As Toshiba Business Solutions\u2019 director of\nsubsidiary sales, she is the ultimate company ambassador, and her ability to\nconnect with clients helps position the company ahead of its competition. Cockins\nprovides training for sales managers and reps, strategizes on and attends\nsignificant deal presentations, and runs sales contests nationwide. A \u201cforce\nmultiplier,\u201d Cockins takes great pride in elevating colleagues and preaches to\nnew recruits that \u201cpeople buy from people,\u201d and has that knack for providing\nthe type of one-on-one counsel that leaves people feeling as if she is\ndedicated to them alone. Prior to Toshiba, her early career included stints\nwith Xerox, Exxon Office Systems and Ricoh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Consummate professional sums up my daily interactions with Michele. As an industry veteran, she consistently manages the business processes belonging to subsidiary sales. She is very adept at coordinating the services provided by our independent dealers and value-added resellers. Her focus has always been on customer satisfaction, regardless of channel or product line. Never hesitant to roll up her sleeves, Michele is highly responsive to the newest sales rep all the way up to senior executives. Trust and experience come to mind when working with Michele.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014Ted LeBlanc, Vice President of U.S. Dealer Sales, Toshiba America Business Solutions<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Joe Contreras is a difference maker:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Joe Contreras<\/strong>
Commercial Marketing Executive, Office Solutions
Epson America <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Blessed with an engaging, congenial personality that makes\ncolleagues feel as if they\u2019re chatting with a dear friend, Contreras\u2019 energy\nwhen he talks about Epson\u2019s foray into business inkjet printing solutions is\ninfectious. As commercial marketing executive of office solutions, he oversees\nportfolio management, strategic partnerships, software integration and support,\nand sales and marketing programs behind the business inkjet endeavor. Backed by\nnearly 20 years of successful strategic and creative marketing experience,\nContreras has implemented and sustained an ecosystem of third-party ISV\npartners to support business inkjet product sales. Prior to joining Epson in\n2019, the Texas A&M University graduate was vice president of product and\nsolutions marketing for Toshiba American Business Solutions, where he was\nresponsible for U.S. and Latin America marketing\nstrategies, channel programs, strategic partnerships and business development\nfor the company\u2019s product portfolio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEpson wanted a recognized industry leader who could bring significant change to the dealer community. Joe is the driving force in leading and motivating a cohesive, focused and agile team to meet our business inkjet market growth goals and bring radical change to the commercial print industry.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014Mark Mathews, Vice President, North America Commercial Sales and Marketing, Epson America<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Venetta Diesel-Varney is a difference maker:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Venetta Diesel-Varney<\/strong>
Vice President of Sales
and Marketing
Millennium Business Systems, A Flex Technology Group Co. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The sales game is not for everyone, as it requires high levels of\nenergy, enthusiasm and charm at all times. Diesel-Varney has an endless supply\nof all qualities at her disposal, deftly developed during her 25-plus year\nprofessional career. As vice president of sales and marketing for Millennium\nBusiness Systems, she guides her team to help clients reduce their printing and\ncopying expenses while providing solutions that improve and simplify their\ndocument output. Diesel-Varney\u2019s overarching goal is to provide clients with\noptimal customer service while acting as a trusted partner and resource. The\nholder of a BA in communications from the University of Cincinnati, she\npreviously served roles with the Cincinnati Park Board and ITT Industries. Just\nprior to joining Millennium, Diesel-Varney spent nearly 11 years with Palmer\nPromotions as a sales and marketing manager.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cVenetta\u2019s abilities and dedication work overtime in creating success for Millennium. She is extremely task-oriented and her customer service skills and attention to detail are second to none. Quite simply, she thinks like an owner and does whatever it takes to ensure the success of her customers. We are thrilled to have her as a resource at FTG.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014Steve Behm, Vice President of Professional Services, Flex Technology Group<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Jeff Dotzler is a difference maker:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Jeff Dotzler<\/strong>
Vice President of GFConsulting
The Gordon Flesch Company <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

One of the great differentiators in the office technology\ndealership space is the ability to not only solve business challenges, but to help\nclients optimize workflow, performance and data security. That ability to\ntransform a client is what makes Dotzler so special. He joined The Gordon\nFlesch Company in 1999 and helped the dealer become a major player among\nbusiness technology providers in the market. Based in Chicago, he served as a\nsales representative and national account rep prior to becoming sales manager\nof the firm\u2019s downtown office in 2006. Three years later, Dotzler moved to\nMadison, Wisconsin, to assume the role of director of professional services. In\n2018, he was tasked with leading the organization through a period of growth,\nacquisition and new technology offerings. Backed by Dotzler\u2019s guidance, GFC has\nexpanded into managed IT, managed print and enterprise content management.\nEarlier this year, he helped lead the acquisition of Information Technology\nProfessionals, a managed service provider, and guides the company\u2019s continued\ngrowth in technology solutions in Wisconsin and the upper Midwest. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs the vice president of GFConsulting, Jeff Dotzler is an aggressive leader who has helped GFC expand quickly but skillfully. For example, he helped lead the recent acquisition of Information Technology Professionals (ITP), a managed service provider, which will make the GFConsulting Group one of the largest and most-capable technology solutions providers in the Midwest. And under his leadership, GFC has expanded into exciting new areas, including AI, with the AskGordy application, which helps organizations turn their unorganized data into useful business intelligence. But above all, Jeff is a great colleague who cares about his people and his customers and has helped us earn our reputation for honest and friendly service.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014Patrick Flesch, President, The Gordon Flesch Company<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Mindy Erickson is a difference maker:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Mindy Erickson<\/strong>
Administration Manager
Pulse Technology <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Erickson has logged 33 years in the office furniture and equipment\nindustry, mostly with McShane\u2019s, having cut her teeth as a switchboard operator\nin 1987 for her childhood neighbor\u2019s business. McShane\u2019s grew significantly in\nsize when it was acquired by Pulse Technology, and Erickson\u2019s role has grown substantially\nin the process. The company quickly leveraged her organizational and\nmultitasking skills\u2014she oversees purchasing, customer service, accounting,\nmarketing, leasing and contracts, and also serves as the human resources point\nof contact for the growing company\u2019s Indiana operations. As Pulse Technology\nexpanded its footprint, CEO Chip Miceli tapped Erickson to help run the Indiana\noperation. She has helped the company integrate offerings including furniture\ndesign and sales, office products and supplies, making her Miceli\u2019s \u201cright-hand\nperson.\u201d In her role, Erickson oversees a staff of 12, but her influence\nextends far beyond, as she is viewed as a catalyst for current and future\ngrowth at Pulse Technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMindy is the Pulse Technology go-to person for all things Indiana. From the design of furniture to the ecommerce site and coordinating the integration of new offerings into the Indiana market, Mindy is the one who gets it done for Indiana.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014Jim Farrell, President, PRFirst<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Bob Evans is a difference maker:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Bob Evans<\/strong>
Partner
Function4 <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

As the head of an office technology dealership, the key to\nlongevity is not only evaluating the current business landscape, but anticipating\nchanges and demonstrating a willingness to adapt accordingly. Perched at the\nhelm of Function4 of Sugar Land, Texas, Evans resembles a top-flight surfer,\nusing agility and reading the changing waves to maneuver his way through\nsometimes-turbulent waters. Unassuming and easily accessible, Evans previously\nlogged 13 years as a manager for Lanier Worldwide, then Danka Office Imaging. He\u2019s\na true friend to the dealer community, having become an officer in the Business\nTechnology Association\u2019s Mid-America district in 2013 before assuming the role\nof national president in 2019. He has also served on the BTA\u2019s national board\nfor the past four years, adding insight and value to the organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI have enjoyed working with Bob these past seven years. As those who have had the privilege to work with him are well aware, he is a down-to-earth person. Bob’s leadership style works particularly well for BTA; he is held in high regard by his fellow BTA board members and the BTA staff. During his time as a volunteer, I have enjoyed seeing Bob’s dealership continue to advance, with an ever-broadening array of IT services becoming a key focus of Function4. This, while, along the way, facing the many challenges presented by Hurricane Harvey in August 2017, which was particularly devastating to the Houston area. Function4 persevered and Bob never missed a beat in his BTA volunteer duties.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014Brent Hoskins, Executive Director, Business Technology Association<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Dale Evens is a difference maker:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Dale Evens<\/strong>
Vice President of Copier Service
Marco <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Evens is a prime example of an organizational ladder-climber,\nhaving begun his career with Marco as a service technician 29 years ago. He has\nsince scaled the ranks in the copier service division of the company and within\nthe technology industry. Evens was instrumental in elevating Marco\u2019s copier\nservice department by helping the dealership establish parameters for optimal\nperformance. This was accomplished by defining expense buckets and implementing\npolicies that increased technician accountability for the machines they work\non. Evens also helped integrate 27 companies into the organization, working\nwith each one to improve margins and attain Marco\u2019s profitability and customer\nsatisfaction benchmarks. Evens offers his expertise to industry colleagues by\nparticipating in service advisory councils for Konica Minolta, Sharp and HP. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDale Evens has provided tremendous leadership in Marco\u2019s copier service division over the past 29 years. His unique ability to collaborate with technicians, sales representatives and customers has made him a key difference maker as Marco has become one of the top copier\/print dealers in the United States.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014Jeff Gau, CEO, Marco<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Dan Fink is a difference maker:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Dan Fink<\/strong>
Performance Analyst Manager
NEXERA <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not that Fink was born to become a performance analyst, but\nin 30-plus years in the industry, he has developed an advanced understanding of\nthe toil behind the analytics. He broke in as a copier technician for\nMinnesota-based Metro Sales in 1988, and during his 22-year journey with the\nfirm, Fink held roles including sales, field service supervisor and field service\nmanager, overseeing branch service operations. In fact, he was a facilitator of\nBEI Services (NEXERA) programs from the customer standpoint. He joined NEXERA\nin January of 2011, managing major accounts and manufacturers that are using\nNEXERA\u2019s services while supporting and training current customers. Having been\na customer himself, that real-world experience enables Fink to share a unique\nperspective with clients. He exemplifies the integrity that is a hallmark of\nNEXERA, and his commitment to excellence helps set the bar high for everyone\nwithin the organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen I worked with Dan as a customer, I got used to calls where he was asking `why are you doing this?\u2019 Oftentimes, the best answer I could come up with was `because we’ve always done it this way.\u2019 His persistence taught me to look at each customer request and each product totally differently. So when the opportunity came to add him to our team, I simply couldn’t let that pass us by. He has made us a better company, and I can’t imagine NEXERA without him. He works tirelessly on behalf of his team and our customers to ensure they are getting the most from their investment in our solutions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014Wes McArtor, President, NEXERA<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Frank Gaspari is a difference maker:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Frank Gaspari<\/strong>
CEO
Flex Technology Group <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Every business industry boasts its share of mavericks, and in the\noffice technology dealership universe, Gaspari embodies that designation. A\n30-year veteran of the industry, he founded FlexPrint in 2005 in the hopes of crafting\nan unparalleled, national service-oriented managed print services business\nmodel. But the birth of Flex Technology Group has exceeded all expectations and\ncast the organization as arguably the leading M&A model in the country. In\nthe process, Gaspari has been able to build a national group of high-performing\ndealers that can service major accounts throughout the United States, backed by\nmore than 1,000 employees. His leadership has yielded 10 consecutive Inc.\n500\/5000 designations and nine \u201cBest Places to Work\u201d awards. Earlier in his\ncareer, Gaspari was the CEO of Column Office Technology in the Chicagoland area\nand a division president for then-Global Imaging Solutions in the Xerox direct\noperations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFrank is unrivaled in his ability to turn bold ideas into effective and profitable initiatives. The amount of energy he brings to this organization on a daily basis is incredible. His serial entrepreneurship may fuel the company\u2019s growth, but it\u2019s his passion for people that makes this organization a true success.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014Dan Reilly, President, Caltronics Business Systems<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Felipe Godoy is a difference maker:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Felipe Godoy<\/strong>
Vice President of
Business Development
RingByName <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A master of multitasking, Godoy\u2019s dedication to service and\nexcellence have enabled him to build a team at RingByName that prides itself in\nsupporting dealers and agents at the highest levels. A former U.S. military\nofficer and United Nations Ground Forces Peacekeeping Operations commander,\nGodoy graduated from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government with a master\u2019s\ndegree in international relations and security. Upon leaving the military, he\nfounded a technology start-up focusing on satellite-based disaster recovery for\ngovernment and enterprise entities. He consulted for Cisco Government Systems\nand Panasonic, followed by five years at Hotwire Communications, where Godoy\ndeveloped the company’s IP-based smart home and security products and\neventually started their security products division. He joined RingByName in\n2012 and in that time helped create the company\u2019s channel partner program while\nholding multiple roles. Godoy has also served as a keynote speaker at national\nand international industry events, including ITEX, ChannelPro, the\nInternational Security Conference and NASA Social. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFelipe is a well-liked and talented person in the company. Without him, we would be missing an important factor in the company that enabled us to be as successful as we are today.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014Kooi Lim, CEO, RingByName<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Rick Goe is a difference maker:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Rick Goe<\/strong>
Vice President of Supply Chain
Supplies Network <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Relentless with a passion for operational excellence, Goe brings\n30-plus years to the table for Supplies Network. A former director of\nfulfillment for AOL who also spent time with SP Richards and U.S. Office\nProducts, Goe joined Supplies Network in 2003. As manager of the logistics and supply chain, including all of\ndistribution and inventory management, Goe has kept up with the high\ndemand driven by significant company growth, while also exceeding operational\nexpectations. In the process, Supplies Network has more than doubled its\ndistribution footprint during the past five years. In the last year, the\ncompany has brought three new facilities online, with each featuring the latest\nin automation and robotics technologies. Goe has been highly instrumental in\nthat success, driven by his expertise and leadership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen Rick joined our company over 17 years ago, our rapidly-expanding distribution footprint was about a third of the size it is today. As of this April, we\u2019ll have replaced three of our distribution centers within eight months, which could not have happened without Rick\u2019s leadership. He works tirelessly to maintain the highest operational standards possible and stays abreast of the latest industry technologies and trends to ensure our company delivers on its promise.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014Sean Fleming, CEO, Distribution Management<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Bob Goldberg is a difference maker:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Bob Goldberg<\/strong>
General Counsel
Business Technology Association <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

If the office technology industry boasted its own currency, it\u2019s\nsafe to say that Goldberg\u2019s picture would be on one of the highest\ndenominations. It would be difficult to attend any event, Business Technology\nAssociation or otherwise, without bumping into Goldberg, the BTA\u2019s general\ncounsel and go-to person for all things legal. A membership to the BTA provides\na virtual, prepaid retainer for Goldberg, who offers a vast repository of\nknowledge, guidance and perspective on the laws that impact the dealer\ncommunity. Whether it\u2019s dealer\/manufacturer disputes, dealer contracts,\nemployment matters, industry documentation, legislative issues, sales tax\nmatters, fraudulent telemarketing, business valuation or general industry and\nbusiness issues, dealers and resellers can receive the necessary insight to\ndictate their decision making. And in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic,\nGoldberg has been the voice of calm and rational guidance to help businesses\nnavigate the uncertain times. Having Goldberg a phone call or an email away is\none of the biggest value propositions behind a BTA membership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBob is truly the independent dealer\u2019s most-powerful advocate. He seems to know every BTA dealer and vendor rep by name. Bob is a highly sought-after and entertaining speaker. Once off the stage, he seems to have a private connection and humorous story about everyone he encounters. Bob makes everyone feel special and cared about. <\/em>

\u201cHe can mesmerize a group of OEM chieftains or mom-and-pop dealers with real stories of personal and business triumphs and disasters. No names are ever mentioned, but there is always a strong moral to think about and the realization of ultimately having to take responsibility for your own actions. All too often, I hear dealers and vendors retort `If only I had taken Bob\u2019s advice\u2019 or `Bob Goldberg just saved us a million dollars and a jail sentence.\u2019 In these times of great world confusion, Bob stands tall as a trusted industry advisor, BTA confidant and my friend.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014Ronelle Ingram, Senior Instructor, Business Technology Association<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Joe Green is a difference maker:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Joe Green<\/strong>
Vice President of Service
Applied Imaging <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Following 30-plus years with Applied Imaging, Green will be\ncalling it a career in 2020. Green has left his mark on the service division,\nnot to mention the numerous people he trained and mentored during his\nsuccessful career. A service manager at the onset, Green later became vice\npresident of service, during which time he coached and developed service\ndirectors and managers. He also has oversight of the entire service department,\nwhich consists of more than 160 hardware service team members, as well as\nNetSmart Plus\u2014the company\u2019s managed network services division\u2014the\nparts department and Applied Imaging\u2019s connectivity teams. Green enjoys\nparticipating in various fundraising endeavors, including Kids Food Basket and\nJeans Day, among others. In retirement, Green will be able to feed his\ncollecting passions, which include vinyl records, t-shirts and Chuck Taylor\nhigh-top sneakers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cJoe Green genuinely cares about everyone at Applied Imaging. Not a day goes by that his office is not packed with people\u2014visiting, being coached, strategizing and laughing. He will truly be missed. He’s a great leader at Applied Imaging and we are all making the best out of this last year with him!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014Sheila Keller, Marketing Strategist, Applied Imaging<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Greg Gumpright is a difference maker:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Greg Gumpright<\/strong>
Director of Service and Support
Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

As director of service and support for Sharp Imaging and\nInformation Company of America, Gumpright manages the manufacturer\u2019s service\nand support team for its channel partners. He joined Sharp in 2018 and quickly\nrevitalized some of its service programs; for example, reinventing the Master\nTechnician Competition and Platinum Service programs for Sharp\u2019s dealers.\nRelationship building is one of his strong suits\u2014he has focused on augmenting\nrapports with Sharp\u2019s authorized dealership service leaders. Gumpright also\ndeveloped a Dealer Service Advisory Council, which has furnished invaluable\nideas and suggestions for Sharp to improve processes. Gumpright\u2019s 32-year tour of\nthe industry includes stints with Toshiba Business Solutions, Northern Business\nSystems, Engle Business Systems and IKON Office Solutions. A Six Sigma Black\nBelt, Gumpright has leveraged those tools and methods to create or modify\nbusiness processes to function more efficiently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGreg is devoted to making sure Sharp is taking care of its dealers, and he has built a quality team that reflects that goal. Greg is constantly working to foster open communication with Sharp\u2019s dealers so that we can work more closely together. I know Greg has made a difference in how All Copy Products works with Sharp, and I am very glad he has brought his ideas to Sharp and has been able to implement them.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014Dale Scheuerman, Director of Service, All Copy Products<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Tarek Hafiz is a difference maker:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Tarek Hafiz<\/strong>
President
CBE, A Flex Technology Group Company <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Selling copiers runs in the family for Hafiz; his father sold them\nin Kuwait. It\u2019s safe to say the younger Hafiz has taken the practice to another\nlevel. He is president of a dealership in CBE Office Solutions that has more\nthan held its own in a competitive Los Angeles market and stretched its\ninfluence well beyond the copier to include managed services, document\nmanagement, phone systems, security cameras and mailing equipment. Prior to CBE\njoining the Flex Technology Group family of companies in 2019, Hafiz worked\nsome M&A magic of his own, expanding to five locations. His organization\nflourished to employ 200, with more than $23 million in annual sales fueled by\nboth acquisition-based and organic growth. Behind Hafiz\u2019s leadership, CBE has\nbeen recognized with numerous appearances on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing\ncompanies and numerous Best Places to Work designations by the Orange County Register<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTarek and CBE recently joined Flex Technology Group and it\u2019s easy to see that he runs a successful business. CBE\u2019s success is driven by Tarek\u2019s leadership, ambition and industry expertise. What you might not see at first glance is his compassion and ability to build relationships. CBE is a family and Tarek has never lost sight of that. He always puts his people first, which speaks measures about what they\u2019ll do for their customers.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014Mike McGuirk, President, ProCopy<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Melody Harris is a difference maker:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Melody Harris<\/strong>
Operations Leader, Implementation
Project Manager
Milner Technologies<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

In her role with Milner, Harris oversees business operations with\nan eye toward revenue goals and budgets without sacrificing efficiency and\ncustomer satisfaction. She brings a wealth of operations and logistics\nmanagement to the table, and has a proven track record of achieving cost\nsavings and meeting revenue forecasts year after year. Her project management\nand logistics experience dates back 15 years, to a position in which she\nsupported all phases of construction and related real estate projects for\nretail operations. This provided Harris with a strong foundation in the details\nof a successful project, from initial inquiries through completion. Her\nbackground includes 12 years with United Technologies, where she served as\ndirector of customer operations and manager of North America hospitality\nprojects. Previous to Milner, she was director of signage services for Benson\nIntegrated Marketing Solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMelody is a brilliant project manager who interacts with a variety of people inside of the industry. She was recruited by Milner a few years ago to provide the necessary leadership, skills and experience to guide the company through their digital transformation. She has proven to be an extraordinary influence inside and outside of Milner. I can attest to her ability to drive success and do it with enthusiasm. She is a brilliant and unique professional!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014Michael Stramaglio, President, MWA<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why John Hines is a difference maker:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
John Hines<\/strong>
Chief Financial Officer
Copiers Northwest <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A results-oriented professional during his nearly 30-year career\nwith Copiers Northwest, Hines relishes industry involvement. He has been a past\npresident of the BTA Western Region, a member of the national BTA board and\nactively involved with the CDA peer group. In his role with Copiers Northwest,\nHines coordinates with the operations aspect of the business and supervises\nseveral departments. He boasts an excellent grasp of the marketing function and\nwhat drives revenue and profitability. Hines previously served a six-year stint\nin the U.S. Navy, and later began his career with CNW when it was a $3 million\nbusiness operating out of a small rented office. Hines played a pivotal role in\nbuilding the business to $50 million, with 11 branches in two states. An avid\nbiker and ardent supporter of Washington Huskies athletics, Hines spends his\nfree time mentoring finance and accounting students at the bachelor\u2019s and\nmaster\u2019s levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ve known John for over 20 years and admired his ability to not just understand marketing but participating in the process by inserting his ideas and creativity into various campaigns. It\u2019s always impressed me that despite his successful career, John consistently strives to enhance his knowledge and skills and was a longtime member of Vistage, the world\u2019s-largest CEO and key executive organization.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014Ian Crockett, President, ICE Advertising<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Brent Hoskins is a difference maker:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Brent Hoskins<\/strong>
Executive Director
Business Technology Association <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism, Hoskins began his career as a reporter for the Blue Springs<\/em> (MO) Examiner<\/em>. However, in late 1986, he found his professional home with the Business Technology Association (BTA). He was hired as a writer for what is today Office Technology<\/em>, the association\u2019s monthly magazine that provides information on industry trends, management issues and the latest technology for the workplace. Three years later, Hoskins was promoted to the position of editor of the magazine\u2014a role he\u2019s served in for more than 33 years. While he remains editor of the magazine, in 2006 Hoskins was named executive director of BTA. In that role, he works with staff and BTA national and district dealer volunteer leadership to maintain an optimum level of guidance, support and resources to the independent dealer channel. He also manages various initiatives at BTA, such as its monthly Building My Business webinars, Dealers Helping Dealers resource and the association\u2019s PRO Dealer Group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn his own right, Brent Hoskins has become an industry leader. He has proven his integrity, knowledge, acumen, insight and forward thinking. OEM presidents willingly accept his calls. He is continually invited to attend dealer and OEM special events. He continues to share his observations and guidance through the strength of BTA and his journalism. Brent Hoskins truly has made a difference in leading the BTA trade association to become an educational beacon, unifying, respected voice of the dealer community and guiding light in our ever-changing business community.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014Ronelle Ingram, Senior Instructor, Business Technology Association<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Michelle Kaufman is a difference maker:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Michelle Kaufman<\/strong>
Vice President of IT
Supplies Network
<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Kaufman has a unique perspective on the world of IT, as she burst\non the scene in the mid-1990s at the dawn of the internet revolution. Upon\ngraduating from Indiana\u2019s Goshen College in 1995 with a BA in computer science,\nshe served as a consultant with Cornerstone Solutions Group. There she provided\nguidance around web-based initiatives for Supplies Network. That proved to be a\nvaluable stepping stone for Kaufman, who joined Supplies Network\u2019s IT\ndepartment in 2003 as a development team leader. She climbed the ranks and in\n2013 was promoted to vice president of information technology. Blessed with a\nbottomless arsenal of technology savvy and a commitment to excellence, Kaufman\nhas responsibility for all IT software development, technology infrastructure\nand support. Her exceptional leadership has helped cultivate an IT organization\nat Supplies Network that many of its executives feel is a critical, value-added\ndifferentiator for the company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMichelle\u2019s commitment to our organization is unwavering. She is a key contributor to the success of not only our comprehensive range of solutions, but to every facet of our business including navigating today\u2019s challenging landscape of security and compliance, which is increasingly mission-critical. She brings a wealth of expertise, commitment and a forward-thinking approach every day to her role in leveraging technology for the benefit of our organization, our customers and their customers.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014Sarah Custer, Vice President of Services and Solutions, Supplies Network<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Debra Anne Kellogg is a difference maker:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Debra Anne Kellogg<\/strong>
Manager of Education, Performance & Communications
Toshiba America Business Solutions & Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Not many people can stake claim to impacting their company on a\nglobal basis, but Kellogg is certainly among the select few. In her joint role\nwith Toshiba America Business Solutions and Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions,\nKellogg oversees the company\u2019s communication, learning and performance portals,\nwhich include a communication-driven performance program she conceptualized and\ndeveloped. This program is leveraged across several business units globally by\nmore than 6,000 employees in 28 countries. A dynamic and creative problem\nsolver, she enjoys facilitating strategic sessions among her peers, while also\nhelping enhance the cumulative knowledge and skill set of the company\u2019s\ngeographically diverse workforce. Outside the office, Kellogg dedicates time to\nchampion, inspire and share her leadership expertise with non-profit\norganizations and the people they serve. Kellogg is a graduate\nof Toshiba\u2019s Six Sigma certification program, and holds multiple industry accreditations\nfrom The Ken Blanchard Companies, Alessandra & Associates, Achieve Global,\nHarvard, and the California Institute of Technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDebra is a dynamic and creative problem solver with diverse leadership expertise. She\u2019s driven by her contagious passion for learning and helping others. She\u2019s often telling her students \u201cLife is perfectly imperfect!\u201d and \u201cAnything is possible when you set your mind to it!\u201d But my favorite is when she challenges others with \u201cLet\u2019s forget what we know and let\u2019s brainstorm what is possible.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014Joan Maesky, Vice President of Human Resources, Toshiba America Business Solutions<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Allison Kern is a difference maker:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Allison Kern<\/strong>
Senior Specialist, CSR
& Internal Engagement
Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

One of Kern\u2019s primary objectives is collaborating with\ncounterparts around the world to ensure Konica Minolta\u2019s global mission of\ncreating value for society is supported and executed at a local level. In her\ncurrent role managing CSR and internal engagement activities, she focuses on\ndeveloping programs and initiatives that help Konica Minolta create value for\nemployees, customers and society. She has also spent time working at Konica\nMinolta\u2019s global headquarters in Tokyo, assisting with global CSR programming\nand reporting. Kern is known as a cornerstone for the company\u2019s philanthropic\nendeavors, rallying branches from across the country to give back to their\nlocal communities. As a result, Konica Minolta and its employees have provided\nsignificant contributions in areas such as education and literacy, food\nsecurity, health and wellness, and environmental sustainability, among other\naspects. Kern has a passion for art in all of its forms and also enjoys music,\nphotography and the great outdoors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAllison\u2019s efforts make a difference every day. Her dedication and enthusiasm are unmatched; she tirelessly organizes new and fun ways for employees to get involved. Through the sheer volume of drives and clever fundraising tactics\u2014including raffling off the CEO\u2019s parking spot to increase donations for the National Kidney Foundation\u2014Allison finds something that appeals to everyone. And I\u2019m proud to say our employees embrace every opportunity to assist those in need, donating both time and money to support worthy causes.<\/em>

\u201cHer efforts also include internal communication and working with our MarComm team to incorporate a focus on philanthropy into campaigns, trade shows and more. She works alongside human resources to promote Konica Minolta as an employer of choice, utilizing our global branding campaigns and aligning to corporate communications tactics to support general internal engagement and recruitment. As a result of Allison\u2019s hard work, Konica Minolta is seen as a true partner in improving and strengthening the community.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014Stacey Sujeebun, Director, Marketing Communications, Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Jason LaComb is a difference maker:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Jason LaComb<\/strong>
Vice President of Supply Chain Management & Planning
Toshiba America Business Solutions <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

In a career spanning nearly 25 years with Toshiba America Business\nSolutions, LaComb has held a number of managerial posts. A creative thought\nleader who persuasively produces data-driven decisions, LaComb also develops\nscalable systems and processes that help achieve his financial targets. He has\nguided Toshiba\u2019s supply chain operations for the past five years, demonstrating\na passion for customer service while excelling via efficient and repeatable\nprocesses. A Six Sigma Master Black Belt who is recognized by customers for\ntaking care of business, LaComb has successfully led many enterprise resource\nplanning implementations, and is an expert at systems and automation. A\nconfident communicator with excellent analytical and organizational skills, he\u2019s\nable to move from strategic to tactical in articulating a vision, establishing\noperational goals with visible metrics, and building high-performing project,\nplanning and execution teams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cJason has a deep knowledge of supply chain and the systems supporting an efficient supply chain. Throughout the last few years alone, he has implemented process improvements in demand forecasting and asset management while eliminating excess inventory. The results enable Toshiba to get the right product to the right place at the right time as efficiently as possible. Jason\u2019s vision, integrity and passion are all a tremendous asset to Toshiba.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014Steve Tungate, Vice President & General Manager, Service, Supply Chain Management and Innovation, Toshiba America Business Solutions<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Rick Lambert is a difference maker:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Rick Lambert<\/strong>
CEO
In2Communications <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A\nfifth-round draft choice of the Edmonton Oilers in 1984, Lambert was fresh off\na 51-point performance for Henry Carr of the MJBHL, playing alongside future\nNational Hockey League veterans Scott Mellanby and Paul Cavallini. But after\nhis tour of Canadian Junior hockey was finished, Lambert opted to attend the\nUniversity of New Hampshire instead of the NHL and played four years of hockey\nfor the Wildcats. He joined Xerox out of college and was named the Rookie Sales\nRep of the Year in Canada. This catapulted him into a career that included\nstints with London Photography and IKON Office Solutions. In 1998, Lambert\nstruck out on his own with selltowin.com, bringing lively speaking engagements\nto companies that have helped transform sales professionals, backed by his vast\nexperience as a salesperson, sales manager and\nvice president of sales. His new AskTheCoach YouTube series provides tips and\ntricks to help sales professionals elevate their game, and in 2018, he launched\nthe selltowin.com eCademy, an on-demand video sales training platform that\nembodies the spirit of his live sales coaching presentations. In 2006, he\nrolled out the IN2communications digital marketing agency, which he supplements\nwith THE SMARKETING SHOW, a YouTube series airing every Thursday. Lambert\nspecializes in helping managed service providers combine award-winning digital\nmarketing and on-demand video sales coaching to generate more leads, win more\ndeals and make more money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRick Lambert is one of the most selfless people I know and an all-round excellent human being. Rick is an unsung hero of the imaging channel and is always ready to give you his time and resources backed by personal and business integrity that is second to none. Over the past seven years, I have worked with him and his team at two companies and he has become a trusted partner and friend who has always helped steer me in the right direction. I get a lot of compliments about our `great marketing\u2019 and `thought leadership,\u2019 which I find hard to accept, because I know secretly that Rick and his team are the ones that do all the heavy lifting!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014Christian Pepper, President, Channel Partner Division, LD Products<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Janet Langerak is a difference maker:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Janet Langerak<\/strong>
Vice President of Operations
Applied Imaging <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Behind every successful company is a Janet Langerak. Hired as a receptionist 32 years ago at a fledgling Applied Imaging, she was one of only 13 people on staff, and that meant her duties stretched well beyond answering phones and transferring calls. Before long, Langerak was billing for meter readings, helping salespeople with client quotes, ordering equipment and collecting on invoices. But she was truly drawn to service dispatching and the challenge of setting up multiple maintenance contracts based on how the salesperson designed them. Langerak has grown in tandem with her company, rising through the ranks to become Applied Imaging\u2019s vice president of operations. Now, as her career draws to a close, Langerak can take great satisfaction in knowing that she was an instrumental force for a company that has grown to more than $100 million in revenue with 450-plus employees. An avid golfer, reader and gardener, she will be greatly missed by her Applied Imaging teammates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ve known Janet for close to 20 years now and whoever said nice people finish last never met Janet. Applied Imaging has always been envied by customers, suppliers and rivals for what\u2019s labeled as Applied Chemistry, the driving force behind the company\u2019s unique culture. Janet has combined her personality with her team-building skills and industry knowledge to be one of the key figures in developing and communicating that culture to those both inside and outside Applied Imaging. She is very much a winner in life.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014Ian Crockett, President, ICE Advertising<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Kevin Leary is a difference maker:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Kevin Leary<\/strong>
Vice President of Sales\u2014East
Flex Technology Group <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Upon graduating from Bridgewater State University, Leary\u2019s early\ncareer saw him embark on a tour of duty with three industry manufacturers\u2014Canon,\nXerox and Konica Minolta. During an eight-year stint at Canon in several\nexecutive roles, he led a turnaround of the lowest-performing region,\ncatapulting it to the top spot in 2006. Leary then brought his turnaround\nprowess to Xerox, where he was tasked with revitalizing a struggling business\nunit. That unit was able to grow revenues from $17.8 million to $23.9 million,\nand nearly tripled managed services revenue in the process. With Konica\nMinolta, Leary guided the OEM\u2019s New England operations with a turnaround\nstrategy that enabled it to finish third out of 41 markets. In his current role\nwith Flex Technology Group, he is tasked with developing an enterprise team for\nthe firm\u2019s eastern operations. An outstanding leader who inspires his team\nthrough example, Leary fosters positive energy, creativity and productivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cKevin\u2019s knowledge in the industry is more than complemented by his leadership skills. He leads with inspiration and knows how to get the most from his people. We can attribute much of our success to him and his team.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014Bill Glos, Vice President of Leasing, Flex Technology Group<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Rasmus Lukunka is a difference maker:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Rasmus Lukunka<\/strong>
Regional Sales Manager
Supplies Network <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Accountable, hard-working and achievement-oriented are just a few\nof the adjectives that describe Lukunka\u2019s ability to excel in the world of\nsales. He joined Supplies Network in 2013 and quickly earned a spot in the\norganization\u2019s President\u2019s Club among the top performers. Within three years of\nhis arrival, Lukunka was promoted to regional sales manager, where he continues\nto produce beyond desired outcomes. Relentless with an eye for detail, Lukunka\nhas a passion for helping his sales team achieve its goals, and is relentless\nin his desire to do so while exceeding customer expectations. Prior to his\narrival at Supplies Network, Lukunka held various managerial roles with\nEnterprise Rent-A-Car, Wireless Vision and Bank of America. He holds a BSBA in\ninternational business and marketing from Missouri Southern State University in\nJoplin, Missouri, where he also played for the men\u2019s soccer team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRasmus is the kind of guy who shows up early and leaves late, making sure he gives his very best every day. One of the things that really sets him apart is his attention to detail, going to great lengths to make sure he and his team are uncovering every opportunity to add value to the customer relationship. His recognition is well deserved!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014Ted Gruener, Vice President of Sales, Supplies Network<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Bob Madaio is a difference maker:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Bob Madaio<\/strong>
Vice President of Marketing
Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

While Madaio was an industry newcomer when he joined Sharp Imaging\nand Information Company of America (SIICA) as vice president of marketing in\n2018, he brought 20 years of IT marketing prowess courtesy of his work with Hitachi\nand EMC (now Dell). With SIICA, Madaio is helping guide the company\u2019s brand and\npresence within the technology industry and smart office market. A master of\nbold strokes, Madaio immediately put his skills to work as a major cog in the\nSharp Momentum Roadshow series, the Own IT 2020 dealer conference and various\nchannel communications that have helped promote SIICA\u2019s smart office solution\nplatform. He\u2019s also known to thrive on the give and take with technical\nexperts, leaders and sales teams across the company network and its dealership\ncommunity. In his spare time, Madaio is an unabashed soccer fan and world\ntraveler. He touts a BA in economics from the University of Delaware along with\nan MBA from Rutgers Business School.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn the short time that Bob has been with Sharp, he has implemented his extensive knowledge and previous experience from the IT sector. He has merged this with his new knowledge of the office technology industry to provide a fresh perspective and different approach. Bob has presented this view to both internal and external customers through in-person meetings, social media, dealer meetings and more.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014Deanna L. Flanick, Chief Revenue Officer, Buyers Laboratory, LLC and InfoTrends, Inc.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Brent Martin is a difference maker:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Brent Martin<\/strong>
Director of Marketing
ARLINGTON <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

An industry veteran of nearly 30 years, Martin entered the\ndistribution game with Carolina Wholesale in 1998. One of his greatest\ncontributions to the company was setting its marketing direction following the\nacquisition of Carolina Wholesale Group\u2019s distribution brands. In 2019, Martin\nwas a guiding force during the rebranding of the three distributor brands\u2014Carolina\nWholesale, Arlington Industries and Digitek\u2014as ARLINGTON. This included a\nmonthly webinar series hosted by Martin that featured special guests and vendor\npartners within the industry. His current focus is on emerging marketing\nmethods, solutions, and closing the gap between the dealer community and\ndistribution to grow business in partnership. Previously, Martin spent five\nyears with catalog retailer EduCALC Corp. in various managerial roles. A\ndiehard baseball fan, he is also committed to serving and supporting foster\nchildren at The Children\u2019s Hope Alliance and the homeless community with Hope\nVibes ministries in the Charlotte, North Carolina area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBrent cares about ARLINGTON and about ARLINGTON customers. He enthusiastically tackles responsibilities with innovation and joy. I am so thankful for Brent’s leading our marketing efforts at ARLINGTON. He has a keen awareness of what dealers need in order to make doing business more affordable and successful.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014Larry Huneycutt, President, ARLINGTON<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Mike Martos is a difference maker:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Mike Martos<\/strong>
Vice President of Service
Flex Technology Group <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Martos certainly qualifies as an industry veteran. He\u2019s spent\nnearly 40 years leveraging his technical service expertise for organizations\nincluding Chicago Office Technology Group (COTG) and AOE\/Danka in roles ranging\nfrom service manager to divisional vice president and vice president of\nservice. During that period, he provided service leadership and direction for\nimplementations, installations and service support while driving high levels of\ncustomer service. During his time at COTG, he\nheld a secondary role with parent company Global Imaging Systems (Xerox) as\nvice president of service employee development. He then joined Flex Technology\nGroup in 2016 as vice president of technical services. He has executive\nownership of a geographically dispersed technical team that is passionate about\noffering outstanding service. Martos\u2019 expertise enables Flex Technology Group to continuously innovate and improve its\nservice offerings, internal processes, and workflow to enhance end-user\nexperiences and drive improved results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMike is a rare combination of the experience of an industry veteran with the creativity and ambition of someone who has no concern for `how it has always been done.\u2019 That makes him a great partner for someone in my role and an invaluable asset to our family of companies.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014Chase Cabanillas, Chief Information Officer, Flex Technology Group<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Ben Meth is a difference maker:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Ben Meth<\/strong>
Senior Manager, Key Account
Brother International <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Some individuals, by virtue of their nature, have a predisposition\ntoward certain vocations. Suffice to say, Meth is a man who was born to sell.\nInstilled with an infectious persistence and a swag of confidence, he landed\nwith Brother International in 2014 as an entry-level sales associate. He soon\ntransferred to Denver to help Brother expand its dealer presence within the Pacific\nNorthwest, aided by a determined customer-centric approach. In 2017, he moved\nto Chicago and took the lead in supporting IT solutions provider\/reseller CDW.\nMeth quickly realized 22% growth while revamping partner programs and\nimplementing new creative structural success. He did all this while also generating\nCDW\u2019s pipeline for the Brother field team, which comprises more than 50% of\ntheir business and 61% of net-new opportunities created in 2019. Meth not only\nsupports his resellers with sales opportunities, but also aids in the\ndevelopment of their own MPS programs, regardless of whether or not they sell\nBrother equipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen we talk about difference makers, we usually mention existing C-suite executive level influencers. I want to nominate a C-suite executive in the making. If Ben is the future of this industry, then we are in good hands. His vision, his conscientiousness and, most importantly, his drive for results have already made him a success at Brother, having been promoted three times in the last five years. As this industry evolves, I have no doubt that Ben will be leading the charge. I am honored to be his colleague today and would happily work for him tomorrow.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014Brian Healy, Senior Manager, Consulting and Managed Print, Brother International<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Dan Meyer is a difference maker:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Dan Meyer<\/strong>
President
Impact Networking <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A product of Denison University in Granville, Ohio, Meyer is the president and co-founder of Impact Networking, the Lake Forest, Illinois dealership he founded with Frank Cucco in 1999. In the span of a little more than 20 years, the duo has grown the company from zero to $140 million on the strength of 27% year-over-year growth. In the process, Impact Networking has evolved from an office technology dealership into a multi-solution managed services provider. Meyer oversees the company\u2019s growing sales force across four states and 17 branches. But his contributions are hardly limited to black ink in the business ledger. Cultivating a winning culture is a passion for Meyer, who follows the mantra \u201cBuild the employees, they\u2019ll build the business.\u201d Meyer reaps the most satisfaction from cultivating the success of young professionals and watching them become tomorrow\u2019s leaders and partners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDan is undoubtedly one of the top sales executives in our industry and most definitely the best sales executive in Chicago. He thoroughly understands the metrics and statistics behind sales and uses that knowledge daily to ensure Impact’s continued success. He is also one of the very few that can go into new markets and build branches and teams from scratch.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014Frank Cucco, CEO, Impact Networking<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Chris Miller is a difference maker:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Chris Miller<\/strong>
Director of IT Sales and Solutions
Pacific Office Automation <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Armed with a degree in computer systems networking and telecommunications, Miller has spent the last nine years with Pacific Office Automation, He initially came on board as a sales manager in Phoenix, and was promoted in 2017 to director of IT sales and solutions. Miller has a bevy of industry experience, having spent 13 years with CTX Copytronix, A Xerox Company, as a sales manager. He plays a pivotal role as a frequent contributor in peer groups across the country, providing valuable insight into a variety of topics related to sales and IT. At Pacific Office Automation, he has built a well-respected team that is the envy of the channel when it comes to the dealer\u2019s reputation for delivering best-in-class managed IT services. That team has been integral in fostering Pacific Office Automation\u2019s consistent growth over the last decade. Employing a team-first mentality, Miller takes great pains to ensure his charges have the necessary tools and guidance in order to be successful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cChris will be quick to admit that while individuals may receive some accolades, it’s the team that deserves all the credit. As a tireless professional himself, he demands the same of his team and it’s all for the same cause so that the POA customer experience is at the highest level possible. Chris creates an environment that challenges his team for excellence so that the team can achieve their career goals, while POA achieves its goals of a customer-first organization with best-in-class offerings.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014Michael Amiri, Senior Director, Continuum<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Ron Nielson is a difference maker:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Ron Nielson<\/strong>
President
Marimon, A Flex Technology Group Company <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A graduate of Harvard Business School who studied executive\neducation, Nielson boasts three decades of executive sales leadership for major\nindustry players including IKON Office Solutions and Ricoh. An accomplished\nsenior leader with Fortune 500, private equity and Global 1000 experience, he\nhas had responsibility for a $1.1 billion dollar division with multiple\nbusiness units. He joined Flex Technology Group in 2018 as vice president of sales\u2014adding\nmarketing to his oversight less than a year later\u2014prior to becoming president\nof Marimon Business Systems (a Flex Technology Group Company) this past\nFebruary. Nielson was onboarded to enhance the company\u2019s customer-centric\napproach to creating innovative, value-based solutions. The embodiment of\ntransformative sales leadership, his outcome-driven mentality and focus on\nemployee development have supported the company\u2019s success during its period of\nexponential growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ve worked with Ron at two different companies over more than a decade, and no matter what the assignment, Ron has excelled. He has a strong focus on developing his employees and achieving business goals. At FTG, Ron has developed strong programs with our vendor partners and has implemented strong sales and marketing programs across our group of companies. With a long track record of leading companies to success, we are excited to now have Ron leading our Texas operations.\u201d<\/em>

\u2014Tom Callinan, President, Flex Technology Group<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Mike Pietrunti is a difference maker:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Mike Pietrunti<\/strong>
Senior Vice President, U.S.
Multi-Brand Dealer Channel
Xerox Corporation <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Driving business growth has been a constant for Pietrunti, an\nindustry veteran of more than 30 years. He currently spearheads Xerox\u2019s\nmulti-brand dealer channel as senior vice president, charged with expanding the\nOEM\u2019s business in the BTA sector. He took the reins in May 2019, and in the\nfirst seven months, he enabled the business unit to achieve 20% revenue growth\nfor the year. In 2011, Pietrunti joined Global Imaging Solutions (now Xerox\nBusiness Solutions) as senior vice president, with responsibility for\nacquisitions, corporate service and marketing. During his eight years in that\nrole, he added more than $400 million of acquired dealer revenue and continued to\nsuccessfully manage those companies post-acquisition. Prior to joining Xerox,\nPietrunti served as president and CEO\nof Kyocera Mita America Group and was responsible for the North, South and\nCentral American markets. His background also includes 13 years with Sharp\nElectronics Corporation, where he served as vice president, Network Office\nSystems Group. Pietrunti is an avid cyclist, reader and opera enthusiast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOne of our dealers, Scott Stebbing with Imaging Concepts in Utah, said it best: Mike brings a wealth of expertise to help his dealers grow. He understands the inner workings of dealer operations top to bottom and provides objective guidance to help us optimize our business and identify new growth areas. His practical advice is steeped in real-world experience, which really does help us keep our eye on the ball, invest in proven opportunities like production print and avoid profit-draining distractions. More importantly, Mike acts with integrity in all he does, making him one of the best in the industry.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014Aaron Smith, Vice President, Western Region U.S. Dealer Channel, Xerox Corporation<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Chris Polek is a difference maker:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Chris Polek<\/strong>
CEO
Polek & Polek <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Polek & Polek has etched out a name for itself as a wholesale distributor for the imaging industry, not to mention a champion of the independent dealer. Chris Polek is certainly the face of the organization, having spent 32 years with the family-owned company, the past 19 as CEO. He freely admits the actual number of years is much higher but doesn\u2019t want his company to retroactively run afoul of child labor laws (it was the 1970s, after all). But like most top executives, especially those of family-owned businesses, Polek refuses to take credit. He cites Polek & Polek\u2019s supporting cast\u2014many of whom have been with the organization for 20-plus years\u2014for driving its success and following the company\u2019s long-held objective to \u201cfight for the freedom of the independent dealer.\u201d Whether history judges Polek as a freedom fighter is moot; he\u2019ll settle for building loyal customers by furnishing high-quality parts and supplies while also bolstering dealer profitability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOver the years, I’ve admired Chris Polek\u2019s dedication to the imaging industry, but what I most admire is his dedication to the dealer channel. His involvement in dealer events and dedication to office equipment dealers has been outstanding over the years. Chris is always available to take your calls and often shares valuable knowledge with others. Chris, keep up the excellent work!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014Arthur Post, CEO and Founder, Print4Pay Hotel<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why James Rouse is a difference maker:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
James Rouse<\/strong>
Senior Manager, Consulting and Managed Print Services
Brother International <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

As Brother International\u2019s senior manager, consulting and managed\nprint services, Rouse enables partner resellers to develop best-in-class\nconsulting and managed print practices. He also collaborates with them in the\nfield when engaging their end-customers. Rouse admonishes that a\none-size-fits-all approach to MPS is legacy thinking\u2014he works alongside customers\nto understand and solve their specific document management needs. Before\njoining Brother, Rouse, a certified CDIA+ and Project+ professional, spent 16\nyears with Ricoh, supporting the managed services division, and also worked for\nDanka and Kinko\u2019s. A University of Virginia graduate and diehard supporter of\nthe Cavaliers\u2019 men\u2019s basketball team (he proudly cites the program\u2019s first NCAA\ntitle in 2019), Rouse enjoys camping and reading, as well as serving as an\nelder at his church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cJames is a huge reason Brother has been a pillar of stability amid a sometimes-unpredictable industry environment. His years of experience and calm demeanor have led him to become a friend and advisor to dozens of our dealers and partners, and internally he is one of Brother\u2019s go-to resources for the implementation of solutions to help our customers reduce document-related costs and increase efficiencies. From the biggest projects to the smallest requests, James\u2019 recommendations have been essential in building and executing the strategy that has propelled Brother\u2019s managed print services program to the front of the pack. I would also add that, personally, I\u2019ve found James to consistently exemplify leadership, as he seems happiest when helping colleagues develop professionally.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014Dan Waldinger, Senior Director, B2B Marketing, Brother International<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Oscar Sanchez is a difference maker:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Oscar Sanchez<\/strong>
President and CEO
Kyocera Document Solutions America <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Not many executives can stake claim to having an international MBA\nand a law degree, which is what casts Sanchez into rarified air. A major global\nplayer for Kyocera since 1996, he\u2019s served the company in various managerial\ncapacities in Spain and the Netherlands (where he was executive vice president\nof the sales and marketing division), challenging the status quo while\ncontinuously seeking out avenues to innovate. In the process, he was able to\ndeliver exceptional results via major strategic initiatives. He came to the\nUnited States in September of 2018 as president and CEO of Kyocera Document\nSolutions America. Tireless in his dedication toward this latest role, Sanchez\nhas evolved the focus from traditional copiers and printers to document\nmanagement solutions via professional services, business process optimization\nand IT services. His passion, loyalty and commitment has set an example for the\ncompany to follow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI have learned much from Oscar. His values and leadership have been an inspiration to me from the onset of my career in Europe, and I am very enthusiastic about the opportunity to continue to work with him, again, in America.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014Jose Estebanez, Senior Director, Integrated Marketing Communications, Kyocera Document Solutions America<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Steve Sharkey is a difference maker:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Steve Sharkey<\/strong>
Performance Analyst
NEXERA <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Like fellow honoree and NEXERA performance analyst Dan Fink, Sharkey has an utterly thorough knowledge of the service aspect of the business, backed by 40 years of experience. During the past 18 years, his focus has been on helping dealers and manufacturers improve their service delivery effectiveness. Sharkey is highly cognizant of the specific, wide-ranging needs of any organization and has successfully guided departments through challenging circumstances. Imparting knowledge is the most gratifying aspect of the job for Sharkey, and enhancing the operating efficiency of a client\u2019s operations is a source of great satisfaction. He credits the vision and skill of NEXERA\u2019s teammates in helping to foster that success while making his job easier. Prior to NEXERA, Sharkey spent nearly 21 years with Allied Office Solutions, where he was a vice president of service and had oversight of a staff of 75 people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou can’t win them all. Steve was supporting a client that, by the numbers, could have doubled its operational efficiency. Many of the client\u2019s employees knew this, but management was short-sighted and set in their ways. Steve would not give up his efforts and approached the challenge over many months in a number of effective ways. Unfortunately, management could not envision the very fact-based course of action. Will that client survive in this new economy? No. Yet Steve’s attitude is one of not to lose.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014Greg Moseley, CEO, NEXERA<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why John Sheehan is a difference maker:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
John Sheehan<\/strong>
Senior Vice President of
Channel Sales
Sharp Electronics Corporation <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t the first time that Sheehan\u2019s prowess has been recognized. He was recently named one of the channel\u2019s most-influential leaders by CRN<\/em> magazine, based on his proven success in growing Sharp\u2019s B2B document channel business. Sheehan took over his current role last October, and is tasked with leading Sharp\u2019s document channel and professional AV B2B regional dealer sales teams, government account sales teams and channel service solutions training teams, helping the business evolve to serve the integrated smart office. He has also led the effort to strategically align teams in order to gain better market reach, and helped the company adapt to quickly changing market forces while increasing marketing ROI. Sheehan\u2019s acumen and direction have been instrumental in Sharp\u2019s solid growth in the MFP market space. Sheehan formerly led sales organizations at LG Electronics and NEC Display Solutions, where he enjoyed success in creating and implementing sales strategies, increasing marketing ROI and driving revenue growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cJohn has consistently demonstrated a commitment and enthusiasm for developing profitable programs for our channel partners. Ever since he assumed his role in sales leadership, he made an immediate impact on the business. As a result, we\u2019ve been able to show outstanding growth in our market share and reseller base. We\u2019re proud to have John on the team and owe much of our success to his great work.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014Mike Marusic, President and CEO, Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Ray Stasieczko is a difference maker:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Ray Stasieczko<\/strong>
CEO and Founder
TEASRA, The Innovation Channel <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Outspoken and visionary, Stasieczko has garnered a reputation for\npulling no punches on the subject of the future direction of the imaging\nchannel. An industry fixture for the better part of 30 years, he has owned\ndealerships, served in senior leadership roles and offered consulting services\nto dealers. A forerunner in both managed print and managed IT service\ndeliverables, Stasieczko has expanded his visibility by contributing nearly 100\narticles to industry publications. He can often be found as a speaker at\nindustry events\u2014he has given presentations at the RT Media Summits in Cairo,\nChina and South America. His 2019 ITEX presentation on the Staples-DEX Imaging\nmerger, the type of deal he had predicted a year earlier, was well received by\na standing room only crowd. In 2017, he predicted the A4 machine would replace\na majority of current walk-up devices. His \u201cEnd of the Day with Ray\u201d video\nseries can be found on YouTube and LinkedIn, where he has nearly 19,000\nfollowers. Stasieczko\u2019s 200 videos and nearly 200 blog posts continue to inform\nand challenge the status quo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRay’s ability to forecast industry events is uncanny. The reason I became a fan of Ray is because he’s always pushing the envelope for our industry as to what the imaging channel can do better or what the channel needs to change. Ray\u2019s enthusiasm in his YouTube videos reflects his dedication and desire to keep our channel from becoming the status quo.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014Arthur Post, CEO and Founder, Print4Pay Hotel<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Lonnie Swisher is a difference maker:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Lonnie Swisher<\/strong>
Strategic Accounts Sales Manager
Supplies Network <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

It didn\u2019t take long for Swisher to establish himself as a bona fide star in the Supplies Network family. In fact, he joined the organization as a member of the purchasing department not long after graduating from Central Missouri State University. Two years later, he became a sales representative and subsequently held various leadership roles. He joined the management team in 2011 as a central region sales manager, leaning on his experience and deep understanding of reseller needs to foster win-win relationships between his sales team and its accounts. In 2018, Swisher was named to his current position as strategic accounts sales manager. A results-oriented performer, he routinely exceeds his annual sales quota, garnering him recognition in Supplies Network\u2019s President\u2019s Club. He most recently captured the award in 2019, marking the fifth time he had earned the honor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

 \u201cWithout question, Lonnie is a difference maker for our organization, as well as all the industry partners he serves. His dedication to his team and his customers is self-evident and I consider him a key contributor in achieving our mutual goals. On top of all that, Lonnie is an overall great person to be around, which makes working with him all the more enjoyable.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014David Concors, Senior Vice President of Sales, Distribution Management\/Supplies Network<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Billy Turner is a difference maker:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Billy Turner<\/strong>
Director of Managed IT Services
Milner Technologies <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A 20-year veteran of Milner Technologies, Turner has guided the company\u2019s thriving managed IT services division, which enjoyed significant growth during the past five years. In fact, the division represents a healthy portion of the company\u2019s gross revenues, and Turner\u2019s group manages thousands of IT devices among customers across the southeast. A product of American InterContinental University in Schaumburg, Illinois, he is considered a well-respected voice among peer groups within the imaging channel member groups. In previous roles with then-Comsquared Systems, he served as account manager, sales engineer and partner development manager. Turner also earned an associate\u2019s degree in computer engineering from Keiser University in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBilly has crafted a simple motto for himself and his valuable IT services team for what’s important at Milner: One, do what’s best for the customer; two, do what’s best for the company; and three, do what’s best for your team. These principles have created a foundation of success and resulted in strong customer support sentiment across thousands of customer relationships during many decades of service. Billy is always willing to share helpful ideas, suggestions and best practices to others across the imaging channel and is viewed as a difference maker by the industry. Therefore, he fits perfectly on this list.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014Michael Amiri, Senior Director, Continuum<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Nikolay Velinski is a difference maker:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Nikolay Velinski<\/strong>
Managing Director of
Y Soft Latin America
Y Soft <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A native of Bulgaria, Velinski has carved quite a niche for\nhimself in the world of software development. A freelancer for more than 10\nyears, he joined the Y Soft team as managing director and director of cloud\nservices for Y Soft Latin America, where he quarterbacks the company\u2019s cloud\nstrategy for North and Latin America. When implementing the company\u2019s\ncornerstone YSoft SafeQ in the cloud, he designed its Edge devices to be able\nto support any architecture a customer may need. Prior to joining Y Soft, he\nworked in Peru for eight years as a system administrator for a Canon\nrepresentative. An entrepreneur, Velinski founded and directed technology\ncompanies in Bulgaria, Peru and the United States. His background includes a\nstint in the Bulgarian army and five years as a drummer in a band. He studied\nprocess automation at the University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy in\nBulgaria. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNiko is leading Y Soft on our cloud-first journey to help transform YSoft SafeQ into a cloud-first solution. He has customized the Y Soft Cloud architecture so that it can support 2D and 3D printers, be deployed within a private or public cloud, and can be single-tenant or multi-tenant. His optimistic attitude that most problems only lack focus from a different perspective inspires many of us at Y Soft to roll up our sleeves and take a second look at roadblocks that we might have in our jobs.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014Stephanie Kennard, Executive Vice President Sales NALA, Y Soft<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Larry Weiss is a difference maker:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Larry Weiss<\/strong>
President
Atlantic, Tomorrow\u2019s Office <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Few people would argue that Weiss has obtained celebrity\nstatus in his 45 years in the industry. After initially embarking on a career\nwith Xerox, he made his most-pivotal move in 1982. It was then that he rescued\na largely unknown Atlantic Photocopy from bankruptcy, building it from a\nfive-person operation to one of the industry\u2019s biggest players with more than\n400 employees and 20,000 customers. Embracing a customer-first mentality,\ncoupled with an altruistic approach to business helped put Weiss and Atlantic,\nTomorrow\u2019s Office on the office technology dealership map. Philanthropy has\nlong been a driving force in his life, as evidenced by the company\u2019s annual\nbudget of $1 million earmarked for not-for-profit organizations. Weiss has\nselflessly donated his time and efforts to many worthy organizations, and sits\non the boards of the National Kidney Foundation and St. Christopher\u2019s Inc. A\n20-year member of the Screen Actors Guild who has had minor roles in television\nand film, Weiss most recently appeared in an episode of \u201cCurb Your Enthusiasm\u201d\n(season 10, episode 8).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLarry Weiss is a generous philanthropist and a successful entrepreneur who realizes that people who can, should give back for the well-being of others. In the spirit of being selfless and putting others first, he regularly takes time out of his busy schedule to support those in need. Larry’s involvement and major contributions benefit the community he sells to, including The National Kidney Foundation, The Make-A-Wish Foundation, The Jillian Fund, Kaplen JCC on the Palisades, Parker Jewish Institute, Unique People Services, The Fresh Air Fund and many more.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014George Gorman, Executive Dealer Business Manager, Ricoh USA<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Jeff Wilson is a difference maker:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Jeff Wilson<\/strong>
Vice President of Business Development
Flex Technology Group <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

So much of Flex Technology Group\u2019s success can be traced back to the thought leadership and business acumen of the firm\u2019s executive stars, and Wilson has risen to the occasion in both regards. He focuses on the company\u2019s enterprise business development and national accounts and develops long-term customer relationships by differentiating the company\u2019s collective business units from industry competitors. His understanding of the market and ability to motivate the company\u2019s national sales teams is fueled by his 20 years of experience. Previously, Wilson served 10-plus years as vice president of business development for FlexPrint National Managed Print Solutions. Before landing at FlexPrint, he was a regional sales manager for Print Inc. of San Diego, covering the Phoenix and California markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cJeff is a true difference maker at Flex Technology Group. A visible leader in the organization, his motivational techniques and relationship-building initiatives encourage consistent results from his sales teams. He absolutely plays a major role in the transformation and growth taking place at FTG.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014Mike Phipps, Vice President, Caltronics<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Kerstin Woods is a difference maker:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Kerstin Woods<\/strong>
Vice President of Product and Solutions Marketing
Toshiba America Business Solutions <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

It might not be altogether inaccurate to refer to Woods as the\nindustry\u2019s resident rocket scientist. After all, she boasts a mechanical\nengineering degree from Stanford University and spent time designing rockets in\nthe aerospace industry. These days, as vice president of product and solutions\nmarketing at Toshiba America Business Solutions, Woods is creating and\nimplementing successful expansion strategies for Toshiba\u2019s e-STUDIO\nmultifunction printers, thermal barcode printers, network document solutions,\npoint-of-sale products and the Ellumina digital signage line, as well as\nthird-party hardware, software and print-as-a-service offerings. She most\nrecently served as senior director of channel product marketing at Oracle, with\na focus on accelerating its cloud software revenue within the global channel\necosystem. She has 20 years of experience forming global partner alliances, as\nwell as product and solutions development and partner\/product marketing for\nsmall-to-large startups and Fortune 500 companies. In addition to mechanical\nengineering, she studied psychology and business at Stanford, where she also\nplayed Division I lacrosse for the Cardinal. Woods is a community volunteer for\nseveral organizations in Orange County, California.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSince joining our team, Kerstin Woods has been instrumental in implementing successful marketing programs resulting in measurable impact for our direct and dealer channels. She is delivering fresh insights and perspectives for new marketing initiatives, as well as product and solutions introductions. Kerstin is a collaborative team member with energy and enthusiasm to further expand the ambitious objectives we are setting for ourselves.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014Bill Melo, Chief Marketing Executive, Toshiba American Business Solutions<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In no other year in recent memory has the ability to serve as a difference maker ever meant so much in our personal lives. The unique event that has dominated our world in 2020 and sent us scrambling to the comfort and safety of our homes has served as a reminder to the value and need of people who can make a positive impact on our lives. As we turn on our televisions each night to an onslaught of news surrounding coronavirus and the toll it has taken from a physical and emotional standpoint, we are heartened by the tales of good deeds. Nurses, doctors and first responders are risking their lives in order to shoulder the burden of new cases, hospitalizations and, as of May 1, nearly 65,000 deaths. That doesn\u2019t take into account the thousands of people who serve as volunteers or in essential roles to ensure our quarantined lives include food on the table and electricity in our homes. The depth of their support is immeasurable, and their role in making a difference in our lives must not go unheralded. We are also reminded of the people who, through their words and deeds, carve out their own niche as difference makers in our professional lives. And that is the foundation of our annual ENX Magazine Difference Maker program. This year, we honor 55 individuals from throughout the imaging technology universe who have left an indelible impression by serving their clients, companies and business partners while bringing calm to calamity and resolution to disarray. Every walk of professional station is adequately represented on this year\u2019s list. But whether they have a corner office or a small cubicle, the bond among this year\u2019s honorees is a willingness to do those things not listed in the job description, or necessarily within the bounds of the 8-5 day, in order to ensure an optimal outcome. We would like to thank all of our readers who took the time to nominate the individuals selected for this year\u2019s class, and offer a hearty virtual handshake to the honorees themselves. Here are their stories: Why Patrick Adesso is a difference maker: Adesso is a nine-year veteran of the imaging industry with a background rooted in aviation\u2014he holds a commercial pilot certificate with multi-engine and instrument ratings. He has been writing software since the 1990s and turned that passion into a profession in 2004, when he developed software to support operations at airports throughout the United States. Adesso transitioned to DEX Imaging in 2011, where he furthered the development of its proprietary managed print system to support rapid company growth. He was also charged with securing intellectual property protection for DEX\u2019s technological assets, for which more than 10 U.S. and international patents have been issued. Adesso now leads the DEX Imaging Information Technology Services group, building and supporting solutions that rapidly integrate acquired entities and streamline the daily operations throughout DEX\u2019s distributed footprint. The Florida Institute of Technology product enjoys video game development, Tampa Bay Lighting hockey and auto racing in all forms. \u201cA rising star in our industry. Patrick is one of the finest minds in our industry, and he is making a huge difference for our dealers and the channel. He will become more and more visible and certainly more influential. Patrick is brilliant, personable and someone who is changing the face of our industry!\u201d \u2014Michael Stramaglio, President, MWA Why Giuseppe Alleva is a difference maker: Affectionately known as \u201cG,\u201d Alleva has fashioned a 31-year career with Coast to Coast Computer Products while wearing various hats. He serves as both vice president of HP sales and a sales team leader, not to mention overseeing a list of his loyal clients. His Coast to Coast HP Advantage Program has been instrumental in cultivating the company\u2019s relationship with HP. Fueled by Alleva\u2019s motivation, desire, training and assistance, the Coast to Coast registered hundreds of five-year agreements in less than six months for HP OEM toner, monitoring and service. Executives within HP have praised Alleva for his efforts, and his career has been dotted by numerous sales awards. He has also been recognized by many motivational speakers for his enthusiasm, training and continued success. An avid music lover, Alleva formed the Coast to Coast NAMM team and found a way to poise Coast to Coast as the HP provider to the music industry. \u201cGiuseppe can get anyone fired up for success! His patience, demeanor and enthusiasm not only helps our sales team, but has also helped him to retain customers for 20-plus years. I have worked with G-Sep for 21 years now and am proud to have seen him continue to grow his team, his sales and his education in the industry. He is ingenious in continual business development, personal growth development and in growing successful salespeople in our company. Most importantly, he is really just a big, sensitive teddy bear!\u201d \u2014Melissa Sevatdjoo, Technology Sales Manager, Coast to Coast Computer Products Why John Beard is a difference maker: In his role with LEAF Commercial Capital, Beard oversees risk management for office products. In a hypercompetitive market, the need for thorough credit assessment has to be carefully considered against high service-level expectations with quick turnaround times, and he deftly balances both. Beard is a champion for premier service delivery combined with a finely developed sense of risk and a deep appreciation for the value of a hard-won sale. Beard brings all three to the table, making him an extraordinary asset not only for LEAF, but the office technology industry as a whole. As the business community grapples with an unprecedented business environment, Beard\u2019s crisis management skills can help dealers and their customers navigate through the uncertainty and challenges. \u201cAs a key influencer in the equipment finance industry, John has progressive views on underwriting, and has made a significant and lasting impact by simplifying the process to benefit dealers and drive sales. With his vast experience across companies of all sizes and business cycles, John has an intimate […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":166,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[3626],"tags":[3819],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40123"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/166"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=40123"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40123\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":43750,"href":"https:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40123\/revisions\/43750"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=40123"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=40123"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=40123"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}