PRINCETON JUNCTION, N.J. — The National Association of Independent Lighting Distributors (NAILD) has named Becky Phillips president of the non-profit trade association.
Other members of NAILD’s new executive board include president-elect Robin Watt of C.N. Robinson Supply in Baltimore, secretary-treasurer Cory Schneider of Lighting Unlimited in Chandler, Arizona, and immediate past president Greg Ehrich of Premier Lighting in St. Paul, Minnesota.
NAILD extends its thanks and recognizes the outstanding contributions of departing board member Gene Siepka of USHIO America, Inc. in Chicago, and welcomes Gerard Darville of Lutron Electronics in Coopersburg, Pennsylvania to the board.
“We’re all trying to navigate through the tumultuous stages of LED lighting and its effects on the industry,” said Phillips, president of Professional Lighting in Greensboro, North Carolina. “We want to make sure NAILD provides for its membership what they need to survive past the economic onslaught.”
Phillips is the third female president in the organization’s 39-year history. Past female NAILD presidents include Janet Wright of Archway Lighting Supply in St. Louis and Shannon Carr, formerly of Pacific Lamp & Supply in Seattle.
Having been a NAILD member for nearly 30 years, Phillips understands the importance for independent entrepreneurs to develop relationships with other lighting distributors and manufacturers across the United States.
“Some of the most valuable assets of a NAILD membership are the networking opportunities with other lighting distributors across the nation,” said Phillips, who has an extensive background in retail, inventory management and running a small business. “The understanding of recent trends, even outside of your marketplace, will help you manage the effects on your business. You become a global or national player even though you may be a small regional player. NAILD gives you that prestige and credibility because you have access to those types of contacts.”
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