{"id":69170,"date":"2026-04-23T15:00:02","date_gmt":"2026-04-23T22:00:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/?p=69170"},"modified":"2026-04-23T15:00:03","modified_gmt":"2026-04-23T22:00:03","slug":"a-higher-degree-of-greatness-enx-magazine-reveals-2026-difference-makers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/the-week-in-imaging-twii\/editors-blog\/2026\/04\/a-higher-degree-of-greatness-enx-magazine-reveals-2026-difference-makers\/","title":{"rendered":"A Higher Degree of Greatness: ENX Magazine Reveals 2026 Difference Makers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-medium\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Copilot_20260423_175210-300x300.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-69171\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Copilot_20260423_175210-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Copilot_20260423_175210.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Copilot_20260423_175210-100x100.png 100w, https:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Copilot_20260423_175210-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Copilot_20260423_175210-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Copilot_20260423_175210-200x200.png 200w, https:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Copilot_20260423_175210-380x380.png 380w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>With graduation season almost upon us, it seemed only fitting to bring a little pomp and circumstance to the 2026 class of <em>ENX Magazine<\/em> Difference Makers. Every February, like clockwork, we tap our readership to provide shining examples of the myriad professionals who set themselves apart through hard work, determination and perseverance, elevating their companies, team members, clients and partners alike. The result is an august list of 67 people\u2014equal parts known quantities and unsung heroes\u2014culled as a testament to the qualities and characteristics that make our industry so impactful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From Abshier to Wolanski, we\u2019ll have career snippets and testimonials rolled into our May Difference Makers issue, which will go live on our website the first of the month. In addition, we will feature more in-depth personality profiles on each honoree in our weekly enewsletter, The Week In Imaging, beginning in May and continuing throughout the year. Every person has a unique story to tell about their journey into the industry, the key influencers they\u2019ve met along the way and the personal\/professional growth that guided them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What makes the Difference Makers so special is its uniqueness as a recognition program, the only one of its kind in the industry. Our space is blessed to have so many publications and analysts that offer in-depth coverage of companies, products and solutions, and Difference Makers complements it nicely. The same can also be said for our Elite Dealers issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Of course, the Difference Makers program wouldn\u2019t exist without the people who take the time to nominate individuals, share their stories and provide testimonials to their greatness. Heart-felt gestures last long after gift cards expire, and they show that you truly care and appreciate their efforts. <em>ENX Magazine<\/em> is certainly grateful as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are the 2026 honorees, listed in alphabetical order by last name:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Jordan Abshier, VP, Houston, DOCUmation<\/li><li>Anthony Angelini, Director of Strategic Planning, Konica Minolta<\/li><li>Andrew Aveni, CTO, Doing Better Business<\/li><li>Gabriel Bagnasco, Director of Product Management, Epson<\/li><li>Dru Baker, East Region VP, Dealer Division, Ricoh<\/li><li>Erik Braden, CEO, Braden Business Systems<\/li><li>Tim Branion, Major Account Representative, Pulse Technology<\/li><li>Michael Brausch, Service Manager, Modern Office Methods<\/li><li>Josh Brison, Connectivity Team Lead, Nauticon Office Solutions<\/li><li>Julie Brucato, Director of HR, Modern Office Methods<\/li><li>Matthew Bull, Director, Technical Program Services, Toshiba<\/li><li>Chenyi Chiu, CEO, Katun<\/li><li>Michael Conklin, Director of Sales, MTS Office Systems<\/li><li>Philip Crean, Chief Commercial Officer, XSE Group<\/li><li>Sarah Custer, VP of Sales Operations, Distribution Management<\/li><li>John Day, Network Service Engineer, Virginia Business Systems<\/li><li>Dan Donnelly, VP of Service, Applied Innovation<\/li><li>Tom Drago, General Manager, Central Business Systems<\/li><li>Kay Du Fernandez, VP, Global Marketing, Katun<\/li><li>Jon Dunkelberger, Region Sales Director, Ricoh<\/li><li>Scott Edwards, Director of Contracts &amp; MPS Programs, Modern Office Methods<\/li><li>Darryl Elmer, Director of Hardware Technical Support, Toshiba<\/li><li>Brian Fortney, VP of Strategic Sales, Copiers Northwest<\/li><li>Patti Garcia, Office Manager, Digitech Systems<\/li><li>Amie Geary, VP of Technology and Administration, NBM<\/li><li>Jim George, President &amp; CEO, Donnellon McCarthy Enterprises<\/li><li>Ted Gruener, Senior VP of Sales, Distribution Management<\/li><li>Bill Hancher, VP of Strategic Solutions, Doing Better Business<\/li><li>Michael Hunter, Director, Marketing Programs, Pricing &amp; Events, Sharp<\/li><li>Chris Hurley, Sales Manager, Coast to Coast Business Products<\/li><li>Chris Johnson, Senior Director of Sales, Central Region, Sharp<\/li><li>Todd Johnson, Partner, Strategic Business Associates<\/li><li>Ryan Jones, President &amp; CEO, American Business Machines<\/li><li>John Keifer, Director of Service Operations, Repeat Business Systems<\/li><li>Kate Kingston, President, Kingston Training Group<\/li><li>Travis Lemke, VP of Leasing, Gordon Flesch Company<\/li><li>Lynda Natalia Lizarazo, President and CFO, AD Solutions<\/li><li>Anthony Macaluso, Service Manager, Network Digital Office Systems<\/li><li>Josh McHugh-Cullen, Strategic Partner Manager, ECI Software Solutions<\/li><li>Mihail Mikov, Head of Engineering, Avision Labs<\/li><li>Nancy Newel, Regional Government Accounts Manager, Konica Minolta<\/li><li>Andy Nielsen, Business Analyst, Pulse Technology<\/li><li>Lisa Novotny, VP Of Finance and Administration, Allied Business Solutions<\/li><li>Steve Parker, National Account Manager, Coast to Coast Business Products<\/li><li>Stephanie Pinski, Marketing Director, WiZiX Technology Group<\/li><li>Shelly Radler, Senior Manager Product Management, Brother<\/li><li>Mike Randash, VP of sales, Digitech Systems<\/li><li>Colin Regina, VP, Technical Services Group, Sharp<\/li><li>Manny Sahu, Director of Technical Marketing, Toshiba<\/li><li>Dan Schmidt, National Healthcare Manager, Dealer Channel, Konica Minolta<\/li><li>Natasha Schultz, Corporate Operations Program Lead, GreatAmerica Financial Services<\/li><li>Lyndon Shade, Logistics Manager, Edwards Business Systems<\/li><li>Saleh Shirafkan, VP of Service, GoodSuite<\/li><li>Barry Simon, President, Datamax<\/li><li>Brett Sisell, Head of R&amp;D, Nexera<\/li><li>Aaron Smith, Chief Revenue &amp; Growth Officer, Green Office Partner<\/li><li>Staale Swift, CEO, NOCDOC<\/li><li>Scott Titus, Marketing Director, Usherwood Office Technology<\/li><li>Cherie Tucker-Labuze, VP of Growth Strategy, Xerox<\/li><li>Anne Valaitis, Principal Analyst, Keypoint Intelligence<\/li><li>Steve Vasquez, Senior Director, Major Accounts, Brother<\/li><li>Eunice Wang, VP of Global Supply Chain &amp; HR, Katun<\/li><li>Patricia Watts, Director, TBS Sales Programs, Toshiba<\/li><li>Monte White, President of Wholesale Division, Distribution Management<\/li><li>Scott Willeford, CTO, DOCUmation<\/li><li>David Willie, President &amp; CEO, CTWP<\/li><li>Trish Wolanski, Strategy &amp; Operations Coordinator, OBM, a DME Company<\/li><\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>With graduation season almost upon us, it seemed only fitting to bring a little pomp and circumstance to the 2026 class of ENX Magazine Difference Makers. Every February, like clockwork, we tap our readership to provide shining examples of the myriad professionals who set themselves apart through hard work, determination and perseverance, elevating their companies, team members, clients and partners alike. The result is an august list of 67 people\u2014equal parts known quantities and unsung heroes\u2014culled as a testament to the qualities and characteristics that make our industry so impactful. From Abshier to Wolanski, we\u2019ll have career snippets and testimonials rolled into our May Difference Makers issue, which will go live on our website the first of the month. In addition, we will feature more in-depth personality profiles on each honoree in our weekly enewsletter, The Week In Imaging, beginning in May and continuing throughout the year. Every person has a unique story to tell about their journey into the industry, the key influencers they\u2019ve met along the way and the personal\/professional growth that guided them. What makes the Difference Makers so special is its uniqueness as a recognition program, the only one of its kind in the industry. Our space is blessed to have so many publications and analysts that offer in-depth coverage of companies, products and solutions, and Difference Makers complements it nicely. The same can also be said for our Elite Dealers issue. Of course, the Difference Makers program wouldn\u2019t exist without the people who take the time to nominate individuals, share their stories and provide testimonials to their greatness. Heart-felt gestures last long after gift cards expire, and they show that you truly care and appreciate their efforts. ENX Magazine is certainly grateful as well. Here are the 2026 honorees, listed in alphabetical order by last name: Jordan Abshier, VP, Houston, DOCUmation Anthony Angelini, Director of Strategic Planning, Konica Minolta Andrew Aveni, CTO, Doing Better Business Gabriel Bagnasco, Director of Product Management, Epson Dru Baker, East Region VP, Dealer Division, Ricoh Erik Braden, CEO, Braden Business Systems Tim Branion, Major Account Representative, Pulse Technology Michael Brausch, Service Manager, Modern Office Methods Josh Brison, Connectivity Team Lead, Nauticon Office Solutions Julie Brucato, Director of HR, Modern Office Methods Matthew Bull, Director, Technical Program Services, Toshiba Chenyi Chiu, CEO, Katun Michael Conklin, Director of Sales, MTS Office Systems Philip Crean, Chief Commercial Officer, XSE Group Sarah Custer, VP of Sales Operations, Distribution Management John Day, Network Service Engineer, Virginia Business Systems Dan Donnelly, VP of Service, Applied Innovation Tom Drago, General Manager, Central Business Systems Kay Du Fernandez, VP, Global Marketing, Katun Jon Dunkelberger, Region Sales Director, Ricoh Scott Edwards, Director of Contracts &amp; MPS Programs, Modern Office Methods Darryl Elmer, Director of Hardware Technical Support, Toshiba Brian Fortney, VP of Strategic Sales, Copiers Northwest Patti Garcia, Office Manager, Digitech Systems Amie Geary, VP of Technology and Administration, NBM Jim George, President &amp; CEO, Donnellon McCarthy Enterprises Ted Gruener, Senior VP of Sales, Distribution Management Bill Hancher, VP of Strategic Solutions, Doing Better Business Michael Hunter, Director, Marketing Programs, Pricing &amp; Events, Sharp Chris Hurley, Sales Manager, Coast to Coast Business Products Chris Johnson, Senior Director of Sales, Central Region, Sharp Todd Johnson, Partner, Strategic Business Associates Ryan Jones, President &amp; CEO, American Business Machines John Keifer, Director of Service Operations, Repeat Business Systems Kate Kingston, President, Kingston Training Group Travis Lemke, VP of Leasing, Gordon Flesch Company Lynda Natalia Lizarazo, President and CFO, AD Solutions Anthony Macaluso, Service Manager, Network Digital Office Systems Josh McHugh-Cullen, Strategic Partner Manager, ECI Software Solutions Mihail Mikov, Head of Engineering, Avision Labs Nancy Newel, Regional Government Accounts Manager, Konica Minolta Andy Nielsen, Business Analyst, Pulse Technology Lisa Novotny, VP Of Finance and Administration, Allied Business Solutions Steve Parker, National Account Manager, Coast to Coast Business Products Stephanie Pinski, Marketing Director, WiZiX Technology Group Shelly Radler, Senior Manager Product Management, Brother Mike Randash, VP of sales, Digitech Systems Colin Regina, VP, Technical Services Group, Sharp Manny Sahu, Director of Technical Marketing, Toshiba Dan Schmidt, National Healthcare Manager, Dealer Channel, Konica Minolta Natasha Schultz, Corporate Operations Program Lead, GreatAmerica Financial Services Lyndon Shade, Logistics Manager, Edwards Business Systems Saleh Shirafkan, VP of Service, GoodSuite Barry Simon, President, Datamax Brett Sisell, Head of R&amp;D, Nexera Aaron Smith, Chief Revenue &amp; Growth Officer, Green Office Partner Staale Swift, CEO, NOCDOC Scott Titus, Marketing Director, Usherwood Office Technology Cherie Tucker-Labuze, VP of Growth Strategy, Xerox Anne Valaitis, Principal Analyst, Keypoint Intelligence Steve Vasquez, Senior Director, Major Accounts, Brother Eunice Wang, VP of Global Supply Chain &amp; HR, Katun Patricia Watts, Director, TBS Sales Programs, Toshiba Monte White, President of Wholesale Division, Distribution Management Scott Willeford, CTO, DOCUmation David Willie, President &amp; CEO, CTWP Trish Wolanski, Strategy &amp; Operations Coordinator, OBM, a DME Company<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":166,"featured_media":69171,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[3626,80,1650,82,1638],"tags":[2191],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/69170"}],"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=69170"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/69170\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":69174,"href":"https:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/69170\/revisions\/69174"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/69171"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=69170"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=69170"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=69170"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}