DEALER - Key Persons
Andy Braithwaite has been writing about the office products/business supplies industry since 2001 and will be a familiar name to those Independent Dealer subscribers who also read OPI where he has occupied a variety of editorial roles since 2008. Although based in France, Andy has a deep knowledge of the U.S. office supply sector and an even stronger understanding of the key issues that are currently impacting the independent reseller channel. Andy will continue to be a regular attendee at key industry events in the U.S. and, through Independent Dealer, hopes to use his market knowledge and contacts to provide interesting and relevant content for the IDC in North America. +33 (4) 32 62 71 07 • andy.braithwaite@opi.net
Chris Turness leads the Independent Dealer sales team. Chris joined OPI 12 years ago and is currently head of media sales. In his previous role, Chris was responsible for the management and development of customer accounts in North America, making him well acquainted with the U.S. business products industry and a regular attendee at the major trade events. He has more than 20 years' experience in sales with 15 of those being in media. He is a fitness fanatic and has a collection of sneakers to rival Kanye. (703) 596 4302 • chris@IDealercentral.com
Job Titles:
- Principal
- Founding Partner in Miller / Wenhold Capitol Strategies
Principal | Miller/Wenhold Capitol Strategies | Fairfax, Virginia
Paul Miller is a founding partner in Miller/Wenhold Capitol Strategies, LLC, providers of direct and grassroots lobbying, legislative and regulatory tracking, advocacy planning and implementation and related services. Before setting up Miller/Wenhold, Miller served as government affairs director for the National Office Products Alliance and the Office Furniture Dealers Alliance (NOPA/OFDA), where he scored notable wins for independent dealers by securing a greater role for them in the government market through their selection under the Dept. of the Army"s current Blanket Purchase Agreement for Office Supplies and played a key leadership role in the effort to end Federal Prison Industries" preferred status as a sole source provider to government for office furniture. In addition to his lobbying and regulatory monitoring activities, Paul also provides consulting services to businesses on selling to the federal, state and local government markets. (703) 934.0219 | PMiller@mwcapitol.com
Job Titles:
- Editor & Publisher
- B2B Journalist
Rowan McIntyre is an experienced B2B journalist who is excited to be spending more time concentrating on the U.S. business supplies sector. Since 2014, he has edited the show guide for TriMega and Independent Stationers' EPIC event and has contributed editorially to OPI since 2008. He is now taking on the role of Editor & Publisher at ID. He hopes to continue the great traditions of Independent Dealer by sharing your triumphs and trying to help you understand potential industry obstacles now and in the future. Please reach out to Rowan if you have any news to share. He would love to hear from you. (703) 531.8507 • Rowan@IDealercentral.com
Simon De Groot has been covering the office products and office furniture industry for over 30 years, initially for NOPA as its Communications Director, then as Editorial Director of OfficeDEALER magazine, before starting Independent Dealer in 2007. Having sold the publication in January 2018, Simon now provides invaluable industry advice and direction to the ID team as a consultant and is still a regular visitor to U.S. industry events. (703) 379.8583 • simon@IDealercentral.com
Steve Hilleard is CEO of OPI, Independent Dealer's parent company since it was acquired in January 2018. A former dealer owner himself, Steve has worked in the office supplies industry for 30 years, with the last 25 years as a media guy at OPI. Steve is the second longest serving member of the Executive Committee of the National Business Products Council for City of Hope and a recipient of its ‘Shining Star' award in 2007. He also chairs the judging panel for the annual European Office Products Awards and the North American Office Products Awards. (312) 957.8510 • steve@idealercentral.com