The Specialty Tools & Fasteners Distributors Association (STAFDA) will install its second female president this fall: NetPlus Alliance’s very own Erika Scherman, President of MC Tool & Safety. Erika’s term as President of STAFDA’s Board of Directors will begin in 2027 after a short ceremony this November at the association’s 50th annual convention.
MC Tool & Safety is a family-owned industrial supply business that opened shop in 2002 in Blaine, MN, just north of Minneapolis. The distributor joined STAFDA that same year and joined NetPlus shortly thereafter in 2005. Erika took the helm as President in 2017.
STAFDA invited Erika onto the Board of Directors in 2022 and elevated her to Vice President of the board in 2025. Erika is only the second woman to head the board, following Michelle St. John’s leadership in 2018. Emily Brieve of Fastool, another NetPlus member, is the only other woman currently on the board in 2026.
Erika says she’s looking forward to continuing to reenvision STAFDA’s annual trade show to enhance hands-on experiences and “really get people interacting with people again.”
“I really like the idea of disruption,” she said in an interview with NetPlus. “Matt Kitchens, the current president, has been great. I think he is creating a pathway for STAFDA to thrive. We’re making sure that smaller distributors have easier access to all the tools that STAFDA has built over the years.”
NetPlus had the pleasure of speaking with Erika recently about how she’s working to build legacy as a business and industry leader.
Q&A with Erika Scherman of MC Tool & Safety
NETPLUS: How do industry associations and focused groups help us build legacy together?
SCHERMAN: It can be challenging to cultivate a community of trusted peers in similar or competing businesses within your local market. For me, STAFDA offers connections with so many different business leaders with differing points of view that I can rely on to be sounding boards. Being on several boards, including the STAFDA board and the Association of Women Contractors board, I have had the chance to build relationships with people outside of my inner circle or my competition. That gives me the opportunity to grow my business and see things in a different way.
It can be challenging to cultivate a community of trusted peers in similar or competing businesses within your local market. For me, STAFDA offers connections with so many different business leaders with differing points of view that I can rely on to be sounding boards. Being on several boards, including the STAFDA board and the Association of Women Contractors board, I have had the chance to build relationships with people outside of my inner circle or my competition. That gives me the opportunity to grow my business and see things in a different way.
NETPLUS: How do you work collaboratively with suppliers and/or other distributors to protect the future of your company?
SCHERMAN: I think in business, we’re all stronger together. I’ve always liked NetPlus’ idea of having everybody participate together whenever possible. From community forums to small group opportunities to Annual Meeting Educational Breakout Sessions and more. Sometimes it’s hard to navigate that; as a CEO or as a president you’re very isolated. No matter how many friends I have out there within the industry it still falls on me and my small team at the end of the day. Great supplier partners make my business better by allowing us to serve our customers better. Having a network of other business owners and executives helps to alleviate some of that feeling of isolation.
NETPLUS: In what ways have you intentionally built a lasting legacy at MC Tool & Safety?
SCHERMAN: Much like good sports teams, we’re in a rebuilding year. Everything is changing. My dad (Ken Breske) retired, and I’m the only one who has been here longer than two years. So to continue building on our legacy, we’re changing how we do business in some ways. We’re looking at opportunities to improve our efficiency, we’re evaluating lines to potentially discontinue, we’re digging into our marketing to make our message clearer. Our aim is to disrupt the industry in ways that are beneficial and strategic.
NETPLUS: What advice would you give to other business leaders who are looking to build their own legacy in the industry?
SCHERMAN: Take the time to listen. Sometimes I get very stuck in how we’ve always done things. Really listen to other people, whether that’s other board members, pseudo competitors, your actual competitors locally, or even your kid — my 16-year-old is working for me now, and he has some really great ideas that are fresh and different. Some of it won’t work, and even if I know it won’t work I don’t want to hinder anybody from bringing forth those ideas. I hired a bunch of people from outside of this industry, and they bring great insights every day. When it won’t fit exactly, we can pull out the core of it and adapt it to our needs in this industry. Listen, be creative, and stay open to new ideas.
For women in our industry especially: be bold. Look to leaders like Jennifer Murphy at NetPlus, Tiffany Evans at Milwaukee, Linda Strasser at Bosch. Watch them, see how they handle themselves, and know you can do that too.
