BGDC LEADERSHIP

Meet Our Leadership Team.

BGDC Distribution logistics leadership team discussing supply chain strategies in a collaborative meeting

CORE VALUES

Our logistics leadership team has helped to define us, shaping our future in the supply chain industry.

Our logistics leadership team at BGDC Distribution embodies a spirit of curiosity, innovation, and unwavering focus on execution. As passionate advocates for delivering best-in-class service to our customers and their clients, we are committed to a proactive approach to fulfilling our customers’ supply chain needs.

Our culture fosters associate engagement, providing an environment where every team member can thrive in a fulfilling career at BGDC. Our leadership team sets the standard for integrity, accountability, innovation, collaboration, and service excellence. With a relentless pursuit of improvement and a commitment to servant leadership, we eliminate barriers to excellence, positioning BGDC as a leader in the industry.

Bill Foster, Greg Vick, Doug Studley and Chad Bowen formed BGDC to service the retail and grocery industries. From a strategic standpoint, the growing industry makes sense, and through M&A, our owners look to expand our footprint in logistics. Philosophically, BGDC looks to take on the industry with truly committed associates, intelligent technological deployment, and a level of service that exceeds the competition.
Bill Foster, Greg Vick, Doug Studley and Chad Bowen formed BGDC to service the retail and grocery industries. From a strategic standpoint, the growing industry makes sense, and through M&A, our owners look to expand our footprint in logistics. Philosophically, BGDC looks to take on the industry with truly committed associates, intelligent technological deployment, and a level of service that exceeds the competition.

Logistics Leadership Team

Joe Obermeier CEO BGDC Distribution supply chain logistics leader

CEO

Joe is a dynamic supply chain executive with extensive experience in transportation and logistics management. Known for his people-first approach and operational excellence, he specializes in optimizing complex supply chain networks, driving strategic growth, and fostering collaborative team environments across global operations.

Learn More About Our Leadership

Joe Obermeier

Joe prioritizes building high-performance teams aligned with BGDC's core values and mission. His collaborative leadership style focuses on operational excellence while maintaining a strong commitment to people development and customer satisfaction.

Joe's background includes leadership positions at Gap Inc., where he served as Vice President of Inbound & Outbound Transportation, managing global consolidation and transport from factory to consumer. Previously, he spent 15 years at Kroger, establishing himself as an industry leader in supply chain strategy while overseeing 15,000+ associates across 40 distribution facilities.

In summary, Joe Obermeier brings proven expertise in logistics optimization, team leadership, and strategic vision that will accelerate BGDC Distribution's growth while delivering best-in-class supply chain solutions for the retail and consumer goods industries.

Jeff Durrough, Chief Operating Officer

Jeff is a 30-year veteran in the supply chain industry. He spent the first 17 years of his career in the lean/JIT automotive supply chain world working for Toyota Motor Company. For the past 10 years he has been managing operations in food and beverage space for the Kroger company and US Foods.

His most recent role being Regional VP of Operations at US Foods. Jeff’s role is to drive customer growth, both with existing and prospective customers.

Jeff looks to proactively exceed expectations by acting as a liaison between the operations group and various customer departments (supply chain management, retail store & regional leadership, procurement, engineering, etc.). By leading the charge during new customer site startups and transitions, he is also a vital link in establishing strong new customer relationships. With an engineering mindset, Jeff is constantly looking to remove obstacles.

Chad Ware, Chief Revenue Officer

Chad is a dynamic revenue leader with over 18 years of supply chain and logistics expertise, specializing in strategic growth and customer-centric solutions. Known for his ability to scale strategic partnerships and drive measurable results, he brings proven experience in P&L accountability and nationwide operational management across complex 3PL frameworks. His expertise spans industrial, consumer packaged goods (CPG), temperature-controlled logistics, and cold chain management, with a focus on developing customized workforce solutions across retail, pharmaceutical, fresh produce, and FMCG sectors.

Most recently serving as Senior Vice President of Business Development and Account Management at A1 Quality Logistical Solutions, Chad successfully managed operations across 35+ U.S. states with rapid deployment capabilities. His leadership approach focuses on building scalable infrastructure that supports both current client needs and future market opportunities while driving operational excellence. Chad's proven ability to deliver measurable efficiencies in labor solutions and supply chain optimization, combined with his extensive industry relationships, positions him to accelerate BGDC Distribution's expansion while delivering best-in-class supply chain solutions for retail, grocery, and fast-moving consumer goods industries.

Mike Alsip, Chief Financial Officer

Mike is a financial leader whose career began in mechanical engineering and moved through project management into finance, giving him a practical view of how operational decisions translate into financial outcomes. Serving as Chief Financial Officer at BGDC Distribution, Mike leads the company's financial strategy and supports the organization's continued growth, bringing extensive experience in financial leadership, strategic planning, and business transformation.

Mike began his career as a mechanical engineer with Lexmark before moving into project management at GE Appliances, where he transitioned into Finance, held leadership roles, and helped lead the financial reporting integration for the $5.6 billion sale of GE Appliances to Haier. In 2017, he joined Michelman and advanced to Vice President, building the global Financial Planning and Analysis team and overseeing Finance and Strategic Planning. Mike holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Kentucky and an MBA from the University of Massachusetts.

Christoph F. Erdel, Senior Director of Customer Experience

Christoph is a seasoned 3PL leader with over 20 years of management experience. After learning the day-to-day operational aspects of the business, Christoph took on additional support management roles within Safety, Food Safety, Continuous Improvement, and Automation. Time and time again, Christoph successfully evaluated broken processes and drove improvement. As a graduate of the University of Dayton School of Law, Christoph has the ability to uniquely analyze and safeguard the BGDC business.

During his time with BGDC, Christoph has served as a project manager and agent of change. He ensures that the BGDC team is forward focused and actively seeking ways to improve processes touching the operation. Christoph’s direct reports include members of the CI & Industrial Engineering team that drive productivity on the warehouse floor. His most impactful project since being with BGDC has been the full implementation of an electronic Yard Management System.

Ashley de Kok, Senior Human Resources Director

Ashley is a seasoned human resources leader with deep experience supporting supply chain and logistics organizations, most recently serving in a regional HR leadership role with a global logistics provider. She is recognized for her strategic vision, her ability to build strong communities, and her talent for shaping high-performing organizational cultures. Her international background includes several years of consulting and HR leadership in both the Netherlands and the United States, giving her a distinct perspective on organizational design, talent development, and culture building.

As Senior Human Resources Director, Ashley leads BGDC's human resources strategy and oversees all HR functions across the Atlanta, Roanoke, and St. Louis operations. Her focus is on strengthening the people practices and culture that support BGDC's associates and the company's continued growth.

Lindsay Myers, Director of Total Rewards

Lindsay has spent over 16 years working in Risk and HR Management. She began her career at the Salem distribution center in 2007 serving as the Risk and Safety leader. In this role, she oversaw safety, sanitation and training. In 2011, she shifted her focus to Human Resources and Labor Relations. As the current Director of Human Resources, Lindsay oversees the hiring practices for BGDC, as well as talent management, growth and development, engagement, compensation, and total rewards.

When BGDC acquired the Atlanta/Roanoke business, Lindsay was instrumental in establishing payroll and benefits systems. She ensured that the transition from one service provider to another went seamlessly for BGDC teammates. Since then, Lindsay has developed an Employee Engagement Roadmap to drive a culture of teamwork within the entire BGDC organization. Using modern HR tools like Enneagram and online employee surveys, Lindsay has crafted a program to effectively connect BGDC leadership and teammates. Because of Lindsay’s background, she is uniquely equipped to partner with the operation to drive collaborative values within BGDC.

Annissia Hanyard, General Manager Atlanta Warehouse

Annissia is an accomplished operations leader with over 20 years of leadership experience in warehouse operations, distribution, and logistics. Having held senior roles at industry-leading companies including HelloFresh, Kuehne + Nagel, and Geodis, she is widely recognized for her ability to build high-performing teams, drive operational excellence, and deliver measurable results in fast-paced environments. As General Manager, Annissia focuses on delivering key results for customers while enhancing team performance through training, development, and engagement. She prioritizes safety and the implementation of strategic initiatives that support continued growth and innovation. Outside of work, Annissia is deeply committed to community service, leading educational and outreach initiatives through her sorority, and enjoys traveling and mentoring emerging supply chain leaders.

Corey Stinson, General Manager St. Louis Warehouse

Corey is an accomplished logistics executive with over 20 years of warehouse experience and 14 years of proven managerial leadership in distribution and supply chain operations. His extensive background includes senior roles at industry-leading companies such as Chick-fil-A Supply, DHL Supply Chain, and Exel/Goodyear, where he consistently delivered operational excellence while driving measurable results. Known for his expertise in workforce planning, quality improvement initiatives, and startup operations, Corey has a track record of achieving customer KPIs, reducing operational costs, and implementing lean manufacturing principles.

Corey's leadership philosophy centers on servant leadership, fostering collaborative and inclusive work environments where team members can thrive and develop. His experience includes managing complex multi-state transportation operations, P&L accountability, and successful implementation of advanced warehouse management systems. His commitment to safety culture and continuous improvement has earned recognition including three President's Safety Awards.

Travis Friend, General Manager Roanoke Warehouse

Travis brings more than a decade of operations and inventory control leadership experience in the 3PL industry. He most recently served with DHL Supply Chain, where he built a strong reputation as a versatile and effective General Manager. During his tenure, he successfully supported several high-profile accounts, including 7-Eleven, Goodyear, Nike, and Samsung. Travis prides himself on being a servant leader and is deeply committed to driving operational excellence in every environment he supports.