The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors’ (NAW) NAW Institute for Distribution Excellence announced March 31 the appointment of Nick Pericle as an NAW Institute Fellow and the launch of Distribution at the Crossroads — a new podcast property focused on innovation, technology and leadership in wholesale distribution.

The Institute is branded as the intelligence and innovation engine of wholesale distribution — translating industry signals into actionable insight, building platforms and tools that put knowledge to work and equipping leaders to shape what the industry becomes.

Pericle brings more than a decade of hands-on experience helping distributors translate technology, data and AI into measurable outcomes. He spent 11 years at ProfitOptics developing custom software and data solutions aimed at boosting growth and profitibility for distributors, and still serves the company as senior advisor. In late 2025, Pericle founded Tenexity — which provides AI transformation capabilities to distributors and manufacturers.

Pericle is a frequent speaker at distribution industry events, including NAW’s Executive Summit, SHIFT conference and Executive Roundtables. He’s also contributed articles to MDM:

• Using AI in Your Day-to-Day: A Board Director’s Guide
• Reduce the Noise Around AI: Think ‘Fit’ First for Your Distribution Business
• So You’ve Been Cyber-Attacked. Now What?

As an NAW Institute Fellow, Pericle’s work will expand into an ongoing body of intelligence, including a monthly podcast, applied guidance for industry leaders and conversations with the operators building the next generation of distribution capability. Distribution at the Crossroads will explore the intersection of digital transformation, operational excellence and leadership.

“Distribution is at a pivotal moment. We’re seeing the convergence of decades of operational expertise with new technological capabilities and new market demands,” Pericle said. “Through these conversations, we’re documenting not just where distribution has been, but the paths forward that will define success for the next generation of leaders.”

“What excites me most about this initiative is its focus on real-world application. We’re not discussing theoretical trends, we’re exploring how actual distribution leaders are making strategic decisions and positioning their organizations for long-term success,” added Bart Tessel, NAW’s Chief Innovation Officer.

New Distribution at the Crossroads episodes will be released monthly. The podcast is available on all major platforms. For episode listings and additional resources, visit naw.org/institute.