Speaker Bio:

Saul Alvarado is Vice President of Supplier Seller Enablement at E&I Cooperative Services, where he drives growth by aligning strategic supplier partnerships, go-to-market execution, and seller performance across E&I’s national portfolio serving higher education and K–12. Before E&I, Saul spent a decade at W.W. Grainger, including as Senior National Sales Manager, leading the company’s largest education contract, supporting over 1,800 customers nationwide, and as a sales leader for Grainger’s top-performing public sector teams in Southern California. Earlier in his career, Saul served as Managing Partner at Pinnacle AGI and as a Senior Business and Economic Advisor to three Los Angeles mayors, shaping major public investments and procurement initiatives. A committed civic leader, he currently serves on various boards, including as Vice Chairman of The Midnight Mission, and holds board leadership roles with the USC Alumni Association and USC Latino Alumni Association. Saul holds a bachelor’s degree in public policy from the University of Southern California.

Sessions:

Real Solutions for Today’s Challenges in Education Operations

Speaker Bio:

Brock Anderson is the Founder of Ergo-ology, Inc., where he aligns consulting services with customer needs, leads a team of professional ergonomists, and supports technical projects to improve human performance and productivity. Before founding Ergo-ology in 2015, he served as Global Head Ergonomics Program Manager for Coca-Cola, an ergonomist at NASA, and Corporate Ergonomist at Gulfstream Aerospace. Brock holds dual master’s degrees in Biomechanics and Physiology from Auburn University, with post-graduate studies in Industrial Engineering. He is a Board-Certified Professional Ergonomist (CPE), Certified Industrial Ergonomist (CIE), Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), and Lean Six Sigma Black Belt.

Sessions:

8 Pillars of a Holistic Industrial Ergonomics Program w/ Case Studies!

Speaker Bio:

With 30+ years in healthcare facilities, Bobby leads 120+ technicians at UF Health. He holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of South Carolina and is a CHFM, CHSP, CHC, and FASHE. He serves as Treasurer of FHEA, is a past president of FHEA and the South Carolina Hospital Engineers Association and is known for his leadership in facility operations and safety.

Sessions:

Leading the Shift: Change Management Strategies for Operational Efficiency

Speaker Bio:

Chaitanya (Chai) Balla is a Director of Product Management, leading digital transformation for KeepStock, Grainger's inventory-management solution. Previously, he led Amazon’s Fleet Technology and Electric Delivery Vehicle programs and held product and engineering roles at Ford. 

Sessions:

Data Driven Decision Making

Speaker Bio:

Joseph Bowman is a retired Battalion Chief and strategic public safety and emergency management leader with more than 25 years of fire service and military experience, including three wartime deployments. He currently serves as a Public Safety – Incident & Emergency Management Specialist at Grainger, supporting the Midwest Region, where he builds preparedness and response solutions that help communities prepare, respond, and recover from all hazards. Joseph develops solutions with Grainger partners year-round to strengthen emergency plans, coordination, and public-private readiness efforts.

He is passionate about building resilient communities and inspiring the next generation of leaders. He has led large multi-state disaster responses as an Operations Section Chief and helped secure over $5.5 million in grant funding to support community safety and recovery initiatives.

Sessions:

Rapid Response in Action: Supporting State Transportation Teams After Hurricane Helene

Speaker Bio:

Wyatt Bradbury serves as Principal – Health and Safety for Avetta, where he brings expertise in contractor management, systems thinking, and safety leadership. A PhD student at West Virginia University, his research focuses on risk perception among workers. Wyatt also teaches at the University of Alabama Birmingham, covering topics such as system safety, ethics, and safety management systems.

Previously, he was HSE Area Manager for Hitachi Rail, supporting projects across the Americas. Wyatt holds CSP, CHST, and CIT certifications and a Master of Engineering in Advanced Safety Engineering and Management. An award-winning safety professional, he has delivered 100+ presentations, published widely, and contributes to several ANSI committees advancing safety standards and training practices.

Sessions:

Measuring Safety - A Systems and Culture based Approach

Speaker Bio:

Mike Buckiso serves as one of Milwaukee Tool’s dedicated Grainger account managers. He has been with the organization for nearly a decade, working extensively within the construction and industrial sectors alongside both end users and distribution partners. Mike will speak to Milwaukee Tool’s strategy around innovation, productivity, and safety—and share what the future holds as the company continues driving the industry forward.

Sessions:

Milwaukee Tool - Productivity & Innovation

Speaker Bio:

Kirk Buffington is a recognized leader in public procurement and finance with over three decades of experience. Retired as Director of Finance and Procurement Services for the City of Fort Lauderdale, Kirk has held senior roles shaping fiscal strategy and procurement policy. He holds an MBA in Procurement and Acquisitions Management, a Master’s in Legal Studies, and is pursuing advanced studies in Supply Chain Risk Management at Penn State. A past President of NIGP and recipient of its highest honor—the Fellow Award—Kirk is a published author and thought leader in procurement law and cybersecurity.

Sessions:

Stop the Leak: Proven Controls to Beat Off-Contract Spend

Speaker Bio:

Sarah Bush, MBA, CPHRM, FASHRM is the Senior Director of Corporate Risk Management at Bradford Health Services, based in Birmingham, Alabama. She has over 10 years of experience across acute care, substance use disorder treatment, and multi-state healthcare systems. Sarah leads enterprise risk management and patient safety programs supporting inpatient and outpatient services across six states. Her work includes system-wide risk strategy, incident management, performance improvement, and culture of safety initiatives. She currently serves as President-Elect of AlaSHRM, is a member of the ASHRM Faculty, and was recently elected to the ASHRM Advisory Board.

Sessions:

Global Disruption, Local Impact

Speaker Bio:

Jean-Paul “JP” Calabio is the Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer of W.W. Grainger, Inc., a leading broad-line distributor with $17.9 billion in annual revenue and operations across North America, Japan, and the United Kingdom. In this role, he is responsible for Grainger’s global cybersecurity strategy, enterprise cyber risk management, and security operations safeguarding critical digital assets and technologies in support of the company’s broader business objectives.

With more than two decades of cybersecurity and risk leadership, JP brings experience across a diverse range of industries, including distribution, retail, business process outsourcing, aerospace & defense, and manufacturing.  Prior to joining Grainger, he served as CISO at SpartanNash, Alorica, SC Johnson, and Maple Leaf Foods, where he built and matured global security programs within complex and regulated environments. 

Throughout his career, JP has led the development of enterprise-wide security strategies, scaled security operations, advanced incident response efforts, and driven regulatory compliance, while consistently aligning cybersecurity capabilities with business resilience and growth objectives.

Mr. Calabio holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Mount Mercy University and a Master in Cybersecurity & Information Assurance from Western Governors University.

Sessions:

The Hidden Network: Cyber Risk and Trust in the Modern MRO Supply Chain

Speaker Bio:

Samantha Cornelius is an eCommerce Solutions Manager at Grainger, specializing in driving success through effective supplier-buyer partnerships and streamlined eProcurement implementations. With expertise in optimizing integrated purchasing processes, Samantha focuses on delivering greater value and efficiency for customers.

Sessions:

Removing the complexity from eProcurement: Driving success through effective Supplier-Buyer partnerships

Speaker Bio:

Scott DeBow, CSP, ARM currently serves as the Director of Health, Safety & Environmental for Avetta. With extensive experience in safety management, serious injury/fatality (SIF) intervention strategy and risk-based learning, Scott plays a pivotal role in driving Avetta's mission to create safe, more sustainable supply chains.

Scott has over 25 years of experience managing and advising on risk and occupational safety. In 2023, Scott was elected by his peers to serve as the Director-at-Large for the executive board of the American Society of Safety professionals (ASSP) and is an active member of the ANSI Z-10 Committee for Safety Management Systems.

Sessions:

Standardizing the Approach to Identify, Prioritize and Reduce Serious Injury and Fatality

Speaker Bio:

Justin Diffley serves as one of Milwaukee Tool’s dedicated Grainger account managers. He has been with the organization for nearly a decade, working extensively within the construction and industrial sectors alongside both end users and distribution partners.

Justin will speak to Milwaukee Tool’s strategy around innovation, productivity, and safety—and share what the future holds as the company continues driving the industry forward.

Sessions:

Milwaukee Tool - Productivity & Innovation

Speaker Bio:

Tom and his wife Denise reside in Carlsbad, California, and are proud parents of four adult children. He holds degrees in Finance and Economics, along with an MBA. With over 35 years of experience spanning manufacturing, distribution, and contracting in the lighting, energy services, and sustainability sectors, Tom is a respected leader in his field. He has worked extensively with many of America’s largest national accounts, healthcare systems, and political subdivisions. His strategic insight and technical expertise have consistently delivered innovative, long-term energy solutions and sustainability initiatives for a wide range of organizations across the country.

Sessions:

Bright Ideas & Cool Savings: Next-Gen Energy Solutions for Industry

Speaker Bio:

John Evinger is a 25yr + Safety Professional and CRSP, with an OH&S Manager, Consultant, and Auditor background. He is Grainger's Safety Professional for Central Canada, and his purpose is to partner with Grainger customers in their injury and illness prevention programs with support, with a strategic partnership in which to support, work with, and develop long-term safety solutions and strategies for their safety programs and intiatives. 

Sessions:

What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You: Applying CSA Standards to Prevent Incidents

Speaker Bio:

26 Years of progressive Safety and Leadership experience in the Industrial Supply and Technology Consulting Industries. Grainger tenure of 22 years.​

19 years focused exclusively on identifying and solving Environmental, Safety and Health issues across Manufacturing, Commercial, Healthcare and Government sectors ​

Bachelors of Science, Marketing - San Diego State University​

Certifications: Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Associate Safety Professional (ASP), Safety Trained Supervisor (STS), ISO 45001 Lead Auditor and Competent Person Fall Protection

Sessions:

Standardizing the Approach to Identify, Prioritize and Reduce Serious Injury and Fatality

Speaker Bio:

With 30 years of MRO experience at Grainger, Michael Febbie has extensive experience in healthcare, guiding account managers for over a decade, delivering outstanding client satisfaction, and driving for better patient outcomes.

As a Consulting Services leader, Michael focuses on operational effectiveness and reduction of total cost of ownership, blending strategic planning with hands-on expertise. His approach emphasizes both cost savings and enhanced value for hospitals, health systems and GPOs.

 Committed to continuous learning and industry best practices, Michael consistently drives sustainable improvements and prioritizes implementing change management through various customer engagements focusing on process, supplier and inventory efficiencies.

Sessions:

Improvements in Operational Efficiency through the lens of MRO

Speaker Bio:

Mark Fine is an accomplished professional with extensive leadership experience in the metalworking and industrial sectors. In his current role as Senior Manager of Metalworking Portfolio Strategy at W. W. Grainger, Mark oversees strategic supplier initiatives and portfolio development. His previous positions include market management at CMT, Industrial, as well as a sixteen-year tenure at Iscar Metals, Inc., where he led their Southeast Region and achieved notable sales growth.

Mark’s career began with engineering roles at Mahle, Inc. and United States Steel Corporation, where he honed his project management and operational expertise. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Tennessee and led their 1990 Methanol Challenge Team to a national championship.

Sessions:

Technology in Fabrication & Machining: Achieving Efficiency through Innovation

Speaker Bio:

Ed is an operations and maintenance leader with over two decades of facilities and trades experience. Currently Associate Director of Operations and Maintenance at the University of Southern California, overseeing campus infrastructure, workforce performance, and operational strategy. Progressed through USC leadership roles including Zone Maintenance Supervisor. Prior sheet metal superintendent with responsibility for production, safety, scheduling, and budget control. Earlier experience includes facility maintenance management and healthcare administration. Brings more than 30 years of coaching experience, reflecting a long-standing commitment to mentorship, team development, and performance leadership on and off the field.

Sessions:

Real Solutions for Today’s Challenges in Education Operations

Speaker Bio:

Laura Giovannelli, Senior Consulting Manager at Grainger, brings 25+ years of MRO expertise, partnering with hundreds of clients to drive cost savings and operational efficiency. She’s certified in Grainger LEAN, Six Sigma, Change Management, and Adult Education. Laura holds degrees from Roosevelt and DePaul Universities in Chicago and is recognized for her deep knowledge of facility maintenance and commitment to client success.

Sessions:

Leading the Shift: Change Management Strategies for Operational Efficiency

Speaker Bio:

Josh owns the portfolio of third-party service partnerships that help customers achieve and maintain facility and people safety compliance. Josh has been with Grainger for 26 years serving in various capacities in sales, leadership, and value-added portfolio management. Throughout his career he has worked with many customers on best practices and solutions reducing and eliminating time consuming practices and processes.

Sessions:

Leveraging Third Party Services: Achieve Increasing Demands for Efficiency and Compliance while Dealing with Gaps in Available Talent

Speaker Bio:

Barry Greenhouse is SVP, Merchandising and Supplier Management, of W.W. Grainger, Inc. He oversees the company's merchandising capabilities, supplier relationships and cost management. 

Since joining Grainger in 2004, Barry has held serveral roles, most recently as SVP, Global Supply Chain and Customer Experience, where he was responsible for all aspects of customer experience from order to delivery, as well as the overall design and capabilities for Grainger's industry-leading fulfillment network. 

He serves on the board of trustees for Grainger-affiliated MonotaRO, a Japan-based leading eCommerce direct marketer of MRO products. In addition Barry serves on the board of Erika's Lighthouse, an organization dedicated to the prevention, early identification and early intervention of youth mental health issues, and the board of FIRST Illinois Robotics, which designs accessible, innovative programs that motivate young people to pursue education and career opportunities in STEM. 

Sessions:

The Advantage Within: Leveraging Supply Chain Assets for Strategic Growth

Speaker Bio:

Hal Grieb, PMP, MEP, CO-CEM, is Founder of Pearl Snap Consulting and former Emergency Management Director for Jefferson County, Colorado and Alachua County, Florida. With more than 20 years across military, public safety, higher education, and government, he led disaster response for 13 state and federal emergencies including major hurricanes, wildfires, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Through Pearl Snap Consulting he delivers operational resilience—strategic consulting, project management, and electrical facility protection—and is known for adapting enterprise platforms for virtual EOCs and bridging business and government emergency operations.

Sessions:

Partnerships That Work When Seconds Count: Building Response Coalitions That Work in Real Disasters

Speaker Bio:

Christopher Hamilton is a Consulting Manager at Grainger, helping businesses solve complex challenges and unlock their full potential. Before joining Grainger, he was a Plant Engineering Manager in an injection molding facility, leading operations and process improvements. He supports large defense and aerospace contractors, delivering innovative solutions and operational excellence in highly regulated environments. Christopher holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Management from Miami University, is OSHA and Lean Six Sigma certified, and combines technical expertise with business acumen. He thrives on collaboration, turning ideas into actionable strategies, and empowering teams to innovate.

Sessions:

Data Driven Decision Making

Speaker Bio:

Ms. Lisa Hardesty is a seasoned health care consultant with over 30 years of experience in the environment of care, life safety, emergency management, sustainability, and construction. She is currently Director of Strategic Alignment and Innovation at Montgomery Facility Solutions (MFS) which focuses on transiting from construction to operational use of space. Prior to joining MFS, she was Director of Global Consulting and Environment of Care Principal Consultant at Joint Commission Resources. Over the course of her career, Ms. Hardesty has provided service-based consulting focused on environmental safety and compliance issues. This included consulting with a national Fortune 100 company to build a health care compliance division. Ms. Hardesty also worked with numerous health systems by improving compliance, developing a standardized approach for risk mitigation, writing action plans, and establishing metrics for monitoring sustainability.

Sessions:

Planning, Design, and Construction Challenges in Healthcare

CMS Rulemaking Unpacked: From Policy to Practice and Its Impact on Accreditation Standards

Speaker Bio:

Ron Hetrick is the Principal Economist at Lightcast, bringing nearly 30 years of expertise in labor force economics.

Ron was a senior and supervisory economist for 8 years with the Bureau of Labor Statistics in Washington D.C. and was an advising economist for the largest staffing company in the U.S. for 20 years.

Regularly quoted by prominent nationally syndicated news outlets, Hetrick has provided analysis for prior Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan, The Council of Economic Advisors to the President, Congress, and numerous Fortune 100 companies and trade associations.

Ron was lead author of "The Demographic Drought," co-lead author of "Who Is Going to Do the Work?" and lead author of the recent addition, "The Rising Storm."

Sessions:

The Rising Storm – How the Demographic Drought's Damage Will Look Like a Hurricane

Navigating Workforce Challenges in a Shifting Labor Market

Speaker Bio:

Mark Herbert is a Founding Partner of Above Ceiling, LLC, with more than 24 years of healthcare facility engineering experience. He previously served 17 years as a Regional Director of Facility Engineering, leading hospital engineering teams through renovations and new facility openings. His work centers on aligning design intent with field execution—particularly fire-rated barrier integrity, above-ceiling infrastructure, and ICRA and ILSM compliance—to prevent life safety deficiencies identified during initial post-occupancy Joint Commission surveys.

Sessions:

Planning, Design, and Construction Challenges in Healthcare

Speaker Bio:

Peter Hinssen is a bestselling author, serial entrepreneur, and top-ranked keynote speaker on innovation, technology, and leadership. A self-described pathological optimist, he helps organizations thrive in the “Never Normal” era through his company nexxworks and his latest book, The Uncertainty Principle (2025). 

Sessions:

The Never Normal

Speaker Bio:

Mike Hockett has led MDM’s editorial direction across its various content channels since 2022 and has reported on the industry since 2014. He provides in-depth analysis of the wholesale distribution landscape in the form of research reporting, analysis articles, blogs, podcasts, webcasts and more. Mike also serves as the editorial face of MDM at industry events and is our lead content liaison with our marketing clients. 

Sessions:

The Advantage Within: Leveraging Supply Chain Assets for Strategic Growth

Speaker Bio:

As Sr. Manager of Facility and Maintenance Services, Brad owns the portfolio of third-party service partnerships that help customers solve challenges with aging building infrastructure and achieving sustainability goals. Brad has been with Grianger for 13 years, serving in various capacities in services, leadership, and value-added portfolio management. Throughout his career he has worked with many customers on best practices and solutions to reduce energy consumption, improve lighting quality, and implement preventative maintenance practices.

Sessions:

Leveraging third party services to achieve increasing demands for efficiency and compliance while dealing with gaps in available talent.

Speaker Bio:

Thom is a safety consultant and structural engineer with 30 years of experience and is internationally recognized for his expertise in reducing risk for workers at heights. A dual professional engineer and certified safety professional, he specializes in fall protection system design, program development, and training. Thom is the former Chair of the ANSI/ASSP Z359 Full Committee and previously chaired subcommittees for ANSI Z359.1, .6, and .17. He currently serves as ASSP Vice President of Finance, Chair of the ANSI Z359 National Work at Height Task Force, and President of the International Society for Fall Protection.

Sessions:

Standardizing the Approach to Identify, Prioritize and Reduce Serious Injury and Fatality

Speaker Bio:

Kyle Krow is a senior energy services executive with extensive experience developing integrated, performance-driven solutions for complex facilities. He is currently Senior Vice President of Business Development at Dalkia US, where he leads the Complex Multi-Measure (CMM) team, aligning multiple service lines to deliver comprehensive energy projects that improve operational efficiency, reduce lifecycle costs, and enhance system reliability.

In addition to leading CMM, Kyle played a key role in the launch of Dalkia US Chiller Services, helping define its market strategy and customer engagement model. Throughout his career, he has partnered closely with commercial and institutional clients to structure customized energy solutions, assemble high-performing technical teams, and execute projects at scale. His work focuses on delivering measurable outcomes, long-term asset performance, and sustainable value for the organizations he serves.

Sessions:

Bright Ideas & Cool Savings: Next-Gen Energy Solutions for Industry

Speaker Bio:

Anand Lal is the Group Vice President, Supply Chain, of W.W. Grainger, Inc. He oversees the functions responsible for ensuring operational excellence across the company’s extensive supply chain, including inventory management and supplier performance, transportation and network design.

Anand joined Grainger in 2016 as Vice President, Corporate Strategy, Analytics and Customer Insight, and later was promoted to Group Vice President, Customer Strategy, Sales Operations and Marketing. Additionally, he led the brand and marketing function for Grainger’s U.S. and Canada business from 2018-23.

Prior to Grainger, Anand was a Principal at the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), where he served clients in the industrial and distribution sectors on a variety of topics, including growth strategy, pricing, sales and marketing and mergers and acquisitions. 

Anand earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, a Doctor of Philosophy in engineering science from Penn State University, and an MBA with distinction from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.   

Sessions:

The Advantage Within: Leveraging Supply Chain Assets for Strategic Growth

Speaker Bio:

Dr. Matt Law is a researcher, business strategist, award-winning author, and global speaker. As the Director of Work to Zero at the National Safety Council, he leads the program's mission to eliminate workplace fatalities by 2050 through the adoption of emerging technology. Dr. Law is also the host of “Prove It To Me”, a podcast which reviews Total Worker Health®, occupational health and safety, nutrition, and lifestyle research in an effort to provide practitioners with a grounded perspective on published research, its impact to practice, and actionable takeaways. He is a Certified Safety Professional, a Registered Environmental Health Specialist, and holds a Doctor of Public Health degree from Walden University. His experience includes management of programs and initiatives in public health, construction, biotech, manufacturing, and military applications.

Sessions:

Navigating OSHA’s Evolving Regulatory Landscape: Building Sustainable, Compliant EHS Programs

Benchmarking Safety Technology: Adoption, Acquisition, and Outcomes for Safety and Business

Speaker Bio:

Kelley Leannah is the Regional Sales Manager at Nephros Water Filtration, bringing over 11 years of specialized experience in water technology and filtration. He leads strategic initiatives that drive growth and deliver innovative, client-focused solutions for healthcare and institutional customers. An expert in ASHRAE 514 compliance and microbial protection, Kelley develops training programs that empower engineers and facility teams to properly specify, install, and maintain filtration systems. His leadership and hands-on expertise have strengthened partnerships across Florida and supported emergency response efforts, including coordinating rapid deployment of filtration systems during the Asheville, NC water crisis.

Sessions:

Water Safety in Emergencies: Resilience Against Natural and Human-Driven Disasters

Speaker Bio:

Perry is the Senior Director of NSC Networks, Principal of Health + Safety Leadership Partners LLC, and former Global VP of Safety & Health and Chem Ops EHS at 3M. He holds degrees in chemical engineering (BS), occupational health (MS), and environmental health (PhD). With extensive global EHS experience spanning manufacturing, hazardous waste, construction, R&D, emergency response, and supply chain operations, Perry is known for his practical, leadership-focused approach to safety. He regularly delivers sessions and workshops on SIF prevention, EHS culture, leadership, risk management, professional judgment, exposure modeling, and EHS competency development.

Sessions:

Standardizing the Approach to Identify, Prioritize and Reduce Serious Injury and Fatality

Speaker Bio:

Kristopher Mattson is the Director of System Safety and Emergency Management at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.   That position he oversees a teams of professionals tasked with the safety and preparedness of a complex system of acute care hospitals and dozens of community locations across the State of Georgia.  Children’s, as the Pediatric Specialty Coordinating Hospital (SCH) provides support and guidance cross the state in all aspects of pediatric incident preparedness, response, and recovery.   As the Coordinator for the SCH Kristopher builds partnerships both pediatric and adult hospitals as well as private entities to advance preparedness for the children of Georgia.  

Sessions:

Under Pressure: How Emergency Planning Kept a Pediatric Hospital Move on Track

Speaker Bio:

Adam McElhinney is a recognized leader in Artificial Intelligence and industrial analytics, known for helping global manufacturers, fleets, and defense organizations translate complex data into actionable insights. His keynote sessions blend technical credibility with engaging storytelling—grounded in real-world applications across maintenance, reliability, and operations.

Sessions:

Demystifying AI: Turning Innovation into Action in MRO

Speaker Bio:

Brianne McGuire is Director of Business Development at Nephros, Inc., a U.S.-based manufacturer of FDA-cleared infection control and water safety filtration technologies. With more than 20 years of experience across healthcare, pharmaceutical, and public safety environments, she currently leads national sales strategy, market development, and regulatory engagement across healthcare and industrial markets.

She is recognized for advancing practical, standards-driven risk management practices that protect workers, patients, and facility operations. Brianne speaks regularly at national events on water safety and water management in the built environment, addressing risks from waterborne pathogens, premise plumbing vulnerabilities, and compliance blind spots. Her focus is on how point-of-use filtration and regulatory alignment can reduce exposure, improve compliance, and strengthen operational resilience.

Trained in industrial design at Pratt Institute, Brianne brings a foundation of user research and problem-solving to complex infrastructure and occupational safety challenges. She is an active member of ASHE, APIC, PDA, and HSPA, and is currently pursuing her associate APIC certification.

Sessions:

Water Safety in Emergencies: Resilience Against Natural and Human-Driven Disasters

Speaker Bio:

Jennifer M. McNelly, CAE, serves as ASSP’s Chief Executive Officer. McNelly brings more than 35 years of association, government, regulatory, and business experience. She advances the organization’s mission to help its members and their employers create safe work environments worldwide through the prevention of injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. She works with the Board of Directors and ASSP’s professional staff to execute ASSP’s strategic plan for growth while addressing the evolving needs of 36,000 safety and health professionals around the globe.

Sessions:

Measuring Safety - A Systems and Culture based Approachs

Speaker Bio:

Christina Mendez is Senior Manager of Healthcare Brand at Grainger, with over 13 years of experience supporting healthcare organizations. She leads initiatives that enhance Grainger’s healthcare brand and builds partnerships with the American Hospital Association (AHA), AHRMM, and ASHE. Christina develops educational programs and resources that help healthcare customers achieve survey readiness, maintain compliance, and improve operational efficiency. She also equips Grainger’s healthcare sales team with tools and insights to serve as trusted advisors, delivering tailored solutions for safe, efficient, and compliant environments. Her expertise and collaborative approach enable healthcare organizations to navigate challenges and maximize Grainger’s value.

Sessions:

Leading the Shift: Change Management Strategies for Operational Efficiency

Improvements in Operational Efficiency through the lens of MRO

Speaker Bio:

Mike Murphy is Grainger’s Director of Supplier Performance and Purchasing Operations, leading a team that drives supplier collaboration and performance improvement across 4,000 partners in the U.S. and Canada. Over his 16 years at Grainger, Mike has held roles in global supply chain strategy, network design, and M&A support—helping shape the company’s long-term distribution plans. Earlier in his career, he lived in Shanghai, China, revamping supply chain operations. A Michigan State University graduate with a degree in Supply Chain Management, Mike also serves as Grainger’s Supply Chain recruiting sponsor and guest lecturer at Michigan State University.

Sessions:

Strategies to Keep Your Business Moving - No Matter the Disruption

Speaker Bio:

Mr. Robert Neil is a Specialist Principal Consultant with over 30 years of progressive experience in technical, management, and leadership roles in healthcare support services. He provides expert consulting services to all areas of the physical environment. Mr. Neil has been recognized for his ability to influence change, communicate effectively, and establish strategic alliances with leadership and staff. Mr. Neil drives optimal performance across multiple domains. 

Sessions:

CMS Rulemaking Unpacked: From Policy to Practice and Its Impact on Accreditation Standards

Speaker Bio:

As a Senior Cybersecurity Advisor, Nick focuses on cybersecurity, AI/ML integration, regulatory compliance, and risk management to support Google Cloud Manufacturing and Industry clients worldwide throughout their cloud transformation journeys. Before joining Google, Nick was a Director of Customer Success at a late stage AI/ML startup where he led digital transformations for customers in heavily regulated industries. Prior to that role, Nick served in the US Navy for 20+ years as an aviator, intelligence officer, and accredited diplomat in Berlin, Germany. As a strategic advisor to the US Ambassador to Germany, Nick was directly involved in the implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and development of national cybersecurity policies to counter threats from nation-state actors. Nick earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the United States Naval Academy, a Master of Arts in Political Science from Virginia Polytechnic and State University, and a Master of Business Administration from the Duke University Fuqua School of Business.

Nick works out of Google’s Reston, VA office and spends most weekends traversing the Mid-Atlantic region with his wife supporting their three kids’ soccer teams!

Sessions:

CMS Rulemaking Unpacked: From Policy to Practice and Its Impact on Accreditation Standards

Speaker Bio:

Cindy is a Sales Enablement Manager at E&I Cooperative Services, with over twenty years in the MRO industry focusing on government and healthcare clients. In her current role, Cindy collaborates closely with business partners and customers to develop tools and strategies that address the specific needs of the education sector. Her strategic vision and dedication to understanding both immediate and long-term challenges empower her to implement effective solutions that drive cost savings and enhance operational efficiency. Cindy consistently exhibits advanced skills and dedication in delivering superior results, establishing her as a respected leader in her field.

Sessions:

Real Solutions for Today’s Challenges in Education Operations

Speaker Bio:

Martin Peterson is a Consulting Manager at Grainger Consulting Services, North America, specializing in operational excellence, supply chain optimization, and inventory management for commercial, manufacturing, government, and healthcare clients. With 25+ years of management and consulting experience, he applies Lean and Six Sigma methodologies to drive productivity, cost savings, and process efficiency. Martin has also held leadership roles at FedEx, managing high-performance teams and earning multiple awards. He holds a bachelor’s degree from BYU–Idaho, is pursuing an MBA in Data Analytics at Arkansas Tech University, and is the proud father of eight children.

Sessions:

Get Ready, Get Organized, Get Optimized

Speaker Bio:

Kelly Proctor is the President of DNV Healthcare, overseeing all Accreditation and Certification Services, along with the general operations of the Healthcare Division of the world’s largest Certification body. Since joining DNV in 2010, Kelly has served in several roles including Team Leader, Sector Leader, Educator, and the Director of Operations before being promoted to President of DNV Healthcare in April 2022. Kelly is a voting member of the Facilities Guideline Institute (FGI) Revisions Committee and has been part of the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) EQ56 Committee and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Healthcare Interpretations Task Force. 

Sessions:

CMS Rulemaking Unpacked: From Policy to Practice and Its Impact on Accreditation Standards

Speaker Bio:

Michael Schiller is the Executive Director of the Association for Health Care Resource & Materials Management (AHRMM), a professional membership group of the American Hospital Association (AHA). With over 35 years of expertise in the health care supply chain, Schiller leads AHRMM as its senior executive and subject matter expert.

In his role, Schiller actively engages with a diverse array of health care leaders and executives from across the health care continuum. He works to shape the development of critical supply chain strategies, champions industry advocacy, and promotes risk mitigation measures.

Schiller works closely with AHA leadership to shape the association’s supply chain strategies, spearheading initiatives that support the health care field including clinical integration, workforce recruitment and retention, and the resilience of medical and pharmaceutical supply chains.

Schiller holds a graduate certificate in Information Systems Management from the Keller Graduate School of Management and a bachelor’s degree in business management from Northeastern Illinois University. He is recognized as an AHRMM Fellow (FAHRMM) and a Certified Materials & Resource Professional (CMRP). In 2021, Schiller was honored with the prestigious George R. Gossett Leadership Award.

Sessions:

Global Disruption, Local Impact

Speaker Bio:

Justin Scott serves as a Consulting Manager with a decade of experience at Grainger, specializing in resolving complex Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) challenges for customers. He is dedicated to enhancing client processes and optimizing procurement and inventory strategies to improve operational efficiencies and identify cost-saving opportunities. Addtionally, Justin develops data-driven solutions and tools that enable the Grainger Consulting Team to identify valuable insights and present impactful data narratives to facilitate proces improvements for customers. 

Sessions:

Improvements in Operational Efficiency through the lens of MRO

Speaker Bio:

Damian Skelton is Vice President of FacilitiGroup, HCA’s Facilities Management and Engineering team. With over 20 years of experience in large healthcare systems, he oversees facilities operations across 190 hospitals and leads engineering and infrastructure capital deployment exceeding $1.5 billion annually. Previously, Damian was the first executive of the Medxcel Facilities Management program for Ascension Health, where he standardized operations across 150 hospitals. Passionate about the Environment of Care, he has served as a Life Safety Code Surveyor for The Joint Commission for nearly 15 years. Damian holds an MBA from Middle Tennessee State University and a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Tulane University.

Sessions:

Leading the Shift: Change Management Strategies for Operational Efficiency

Speaker Bio:

Stephanie Spindler is a dedicated sales & strategy executive and community leader with over 20 years of experience, currently serving as Director of Incident & Emergency Management at Grainger. Her work focuses on building customer sales strategies and solutions to help communities prepare, respond, and recover from all hazards. She leads a team of specialists who partner with government, healthcare, and commercial customers on their emergency management plans throughout the calendar year.

Spindler is passionate about building better communities and inspiring a future generation of volunteers. She currently serves as President-Elect of the Junior League of Evanston-North Shore.

Sessions:

Rapid Response in Action: Supporting the North Carolina DOT After Hurricane Helene

Speaker Bio:

Jeff is a partner, program developer, and educator for Montgomery Facility Solutions. Prior to MFS, Jeff was Facility Director at Stanford Children's Hospital. He has over 17 years of healthcare experience and believes program and people development are pivotal in reducing stress and increasing productivity in a department with growing demands. 

Sessions:

Planning, Design, and Construction Challenges in Healthcare

Speaker Bio:

Tom West is Vice President & Global Practice Leader at MākuSafe, a SHRM & HRCI Senior Certified HR Professional, and a Certified Occupational Safety Specialist. With extensive executive leadership experience throughout his career, Tom has led various companies in the learning & development, and technology spaces. He also served as a College Professor for nearly 30 years, shaping future leaders in management. An Avetta Fellow and member of the National Speakers Association, Tom serves on the ASSP Task Force for AI in Safety, is active in organizations such as AIHA, NSC, and VPPPA, and presents regularly at conferences globally. He co-authored the book Safety and Wearable Technology: Impact, Applications and Implementation in Industry (available from CRC Press).

Sessions:

Doing Safety Differently: Wearables, HOP, and Building a Learning Culture from the Blue Line

Speaker Bio:

Shane Witter is the Global Category Director, MRO at Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), where he leads global sourcing and category strategy for maintenance, repair, and operations across ADM’s worldwide footprint.

With more than 20 years of experience in supply chain and strategic procurement, Shane has deep expertise supporting large, asset‑intensive operations. Earlier in his career, he played a key role in transforming purchasing organizations—driving the shift from transactional buying to structured, category‑led procurement through standardization, process improvement, and data‑driven decision making.

In his current role, Shane partners closely with operations, engineering, and finance teams to align sourcing strategies with enterprise objectives, emphasizing total cost of ownership, supply continuity, and risk management rather than unit price alone.

Shane’s work includes supporting capital projects (CapEx) through early supplier engagement, standardization strategies, and lifecycle cost evaluation to ensure long‑term value and operational reliability. He is known for building strong supplier partnerships, applying disciplined category management practices, and translating supply chain strategy into practical, measurable results at global scale.

Sessions:

Strategies to Manage Risk and Minimize Customer Impact

Speaker Bio:

Bubba Wolford, Director of Business Development and Training at Kent Consumer Brands Americas, is a nationally recognized expert in workplace hydration and industrial wellness. With over 30 years in exercise physiology, he leads corporate development and training initiatives across North America, delivering dynamic sessions that engage frontline workers, safety professionals, and corporate leaders. Bubba’s mission is to elevate hydration from a wellness buzzword to a critical factor in occupational safety, health, and productivity—helping organizations improve workforce performance while keeping employees safe and energized on the job.

Sessions:

Navigating OSHA's Heat Hazard Emphasis Program: Proposed Standard and Future Direction