Seven Respected Industry Leaders Will Advocate for Independent Manufacturers’ Representatives and Manufacturer Affiliates
Carmel, IN – January 8, 2025 – The National Electrical Manufacturers Representatives Association (NEMRA) is pleased to announce the appointment of four new officers to its Board of Directors and three new members to the Executive Committee of the NEMRA Manufacturers Group (NMG), effective February 12, 2026. NEMRA serves as a leading voice in the electrical industry, championing the value and advocacy of independent manufacturers’ representatives. The NEMRA Manufacturers Group (NMG) unites manufacturers who primarily partner with independent representatives to drive market success and enhance industry collaboration.
Board of Directors
NEMRA welcomes Bob Powell of DZ Cook (Hayward, CA); Bob Easterlin of Electra Sales of North Texas (Irving, TX); and Rick DeFazio of DeFazio (Glen Allen, VA) to its Board of Directors. “I am very pleased to welcome these newest members to our Board of Directors,” said Jim Johnson, President of NEMRA. “Each brings a unique background and a wealth of experience that will serve as a significant asset to both the Board and the association as a whole.”
In addition, NEMRA announced that Joe Saganowich, Chief Commercial Officer of NSI—who has served on the NMG Executive Committee, including as its Chair—will join the Board as the manufacturer (NMG) member. “Joe’s long-standing leadership within the manufacturer community brings valuable insight and continuity to the Board,” Johnson added.
NMG Executive Committee
NEMRA also welcomes Scott Bausch, Vice President of Sales, Panduit; Troit Freeland, Vice President, Sales – Central Region, Hubbell Electrical Solutions; and Kevin Heffernan, President – Electrical, Zekelman Industries, to its NMG Executive Committee. “Collaboration between representatives and manufacturers is critical for driving growth, strengthening market share, and fostering channel partnerships,” said Johnson. “These new members bring a wealth of knowledge, vision, and energy that will greatly benefit the NMG Executive Committee and the manufacturer community it serves.”
The NEMRA Manufacturers Group (NMG) Executive Committee fosters collaboration between manufacturers and representatives, enhancing communication, reducing transaction costs, adding value, and supporting professional growth within the industry.
NEMRA Announces Members of Strategic Advisory Council
The Strategic Advisory Council plays a critical role in shaping the vision and strategic pathways that support NEMRA’s Board of Directors in building a stronger, more connected association. The Council is comprised of respected leaders representing both the manufacturers’ representative and manufacturing communities.
The Council’s membership includes the following industry leaders:
- Larry Rodger, President, ELA + Synergy — NEMRA Board Chair
- Chris Allshouse, President, McAuliffe
- Corey Collins, Principal, Agents West
- Brian Rooney, Principal, Callas-Kingsley
- Joe LiPuma, President, The Yusen MacPherson Group
- Pete Jones, President, Nexus Power
- Chris Marlow, Senior Vice President of Sales, ABB
- Rob Mondillo, Vice President of Sales, Genlyte
- Tom Click, President, Patriot Industries
- Scott Bausch, Vice President, Panduit
- Matt Strand, President, Greaves
About NEMRA
The National Electrical Manufacturers Representatives Association (NEMRA), is a not-for-profit association comprised of independent sales representatives and manufacturers in the electrical industry. The association’s charter is to develop and strengthen each company’s sales, marketing, and management skills and to promote the benefits of doing business with an independent sales representative.
EdisonReport Editor’s Note:
NEMRA’s latest round of leadership appointments reflects the breadth of the electrical and lighting channel it represents, with new Board members drawn from independent rep agencies in California, Texas, and Virginia, and new NMG Executive Committee members from Panduit, Hubbell Electrical Solutions, and Zekelman Industries. The addition of NSI’s Joe Saganowich to the Board as the manufacturer member underscores the growing emphasis on manufacturer-rep alignment within the association, particularly as distribution consolidation and evolving go-to-market models continue to reshape the electrical channel. The newly constituted Strategic Advisory Council, comprising both rep principals and senior manufacturer sales leaders, signals NEMRA’s intent to drive more coordinated industry strategy in 2026.