MRO products distributor and cost savings provider Stellar Industrial Supply has added a significant influx of industry knowledge and perspective to its leadership roster.
The company announced Jan. 22 that it has appointed Tom Gale — the longtime steward of Modern Distribution Management — to its Board of Directors.

Gale led MDM for 40 years from 1992 to 2024, serving as owner, CEO and Executive Editor, eventually selling the distribution research and media organization at the start of 2024 to the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors. In that tenure, he helped shape the industry’s understanding of distribution trends, best practices, data analytics and change management strategy. Gale continues to serve MDM as its Strategic Advisor.
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“I am honored to contribute to the future of one of the most dynamic and fastest-growing companies in the wholesale distribution industry,” Gale said. “I look forward to bringing my long-term perspective to the board as Stellar Industrial Supply continues to shape and redefine how manufacturing and processing organizations efficiently maximize time, resources and people to better serve their customers.”
Based in Tacoma, WA and operating 17 regional hubs from coast-to-coast in the U.S., Stellar Industrial Supply distributes more than 90,000 MRO products and tools from more than 1,500 brands for safety, metalworking, marine supply, aerospace and other general manufacturing and processing organizations. That is accompanied by Stellar’s customized indirect material management.
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“Tom Gale brings accomplished and highly valuable industry experience to the Stellar Industrial Supply Board of Directors,” Stellar Founder, President and CEO John Wiborg said. “As the driving force behind MDM and its deep industry research analytics, Tom has a unique ‘inside baseball’ industry insight into virtually every aspect of the North American industrial and commercial MROP markets. Moreover, Tom also understands how to build and create valuable businesses. We are extremely fortunate he has decided to join the company’s board of directors.”
Wiborg detailed Stellar’s recent strategic initiatives in a fireside chat at MDM’s SHIFT Conference this past September. Stellar is a member of AD and the Industrial Supply Association.
In the Store: MDM’s U.S. MRO Market Trends Report
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