AD has announced that Paul Kennedy, president and CEO of Dakota Supply Group, has been elected to AD’s board of directors. 

Kennedy is an accomplished executive with over 30 years of experience in the plumbing, electrical, HVAC/R, and waterworks distribution industries. He leads Dakota Supply Group, an employee-owned, wholesale distributor of innovative products and solutions for a diverse range of industries, including electrical; plumbing; HVAC; refrigeration; communications; utility; automation; waterworks; on-site sewer; water and well; and filtration and metering technology.

His previous executive positions include President and COO of a Midwest-based wholesale distributor. Prior to that, Kennedy spent 19 years in senior management roles in the U.S. and Canada for a large global plumbing distributor. Kennedy serves as an independent director for The Bostwick-Braun Company, and as the director on boards of the National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED) and American Supply Association (ASA).

Kennedy expressed his enthusiasm for joining the AD Board of Directors and his respect for AD’s leadership in independent distribution.

“AD has helped Dakota Supply Group and so many independent distributors over the years with opportunities to grow and resources to take our businesses to the next level,” Kennedy said. “AD’s executive leadership team and Corporate Board of Directors are among the foremost leaders in our industries, and I am honored to join the Board and use my voice to help guide AD in the future with a group of innovators.”

David White, CEO of Border States Electric and lead director of AD’s Board of Directors, spoke about the importance of governance for AD’s success.

“The owner/members on AD’s boards and committees offer incredible leadership and industry experience that guide the direction of AD, ensuring that together we are serving the needs of the AD community,” White said. “I have served with a variety of leaders in governance roles with AD, and each member has provided unique perspectives and invaluable contributions to the group. The board congratulates Paul on the role, and we are thrilled to work with him more closely to build the future of AD.”

The members of the 2023 AD LLC Board of Directors include the following:

• François Deschênes, president and CEO, Deschênes Group Inc.
• Steve Drummond, president, Source Atlantic
• Clay Geary, owner/manager, Interior Exterior Building Supply
• Karla Neupert Hockley, president, Consolidated Supply Co.
• Tim Horsman, president and CEO, E.B. Horsman & Son and AD LLC organizational development committee chair
• Paul Kennedy, president and CEO, Dakota Supply Group
• Dr. Don McNeeley, chairman and CEO, Chicago Tube & Iron
• Chrissy Nardini, president, American Metals Supply Co.
• Donald Slominski, Jr., executive chairman, McNaughton-McKay Electric Company and AD LLC audit committee chair
• Bill Weisberg, chairman and CEO, AD
• David White, CEO, Border States Electric and AD LLC board lead director
• John Wiborg, president and CEO, Stellar Industrial Supply, Inc. and chair of the AD LLC nominating and governance committee and investment committee