I had a huge range of emotions reading the recent cover story about the Terrell Family in the February/March issue of Contractor Supply magazine, ranging from immensely proud to incredibly humbled to genuinely happy about their great success in the industrial supply industry. We value relationships in this industry, especially the ones that feel like family. But it goes even deeper when a friendship spans a generation, first between two fathers and now between two daughters. My Dad, Dan Judge, and Mike Terrell are those ‘go way back’ kind of industry guys; the ones who know everyone and run into old friends everywhere they go. Their relationship started decades back through our family distribution business, Ward Brothers, and grew through a partnership between Dan at ID One and Mike at Warren Tool. In 2006, Mike bought Gogel Fastener and Industrial Supply and in 2007, the company became a member of NetPlus Alliance.
Heather Terrell Berry and I met about 8 years ago at the Industrial Supply Association (ISA) show. At the time, our dads had us in tow, and these days it’s the other way around! Heather was named President of Gogel on January 1 of this year and has been a tremendous asset to NetPlus, serving on our advisory council for three years and always a willing test subject when we are building technology or trying something new. She and I both belong to the ISA group, Women Industrial Supply Executives (W.I.S.E.) and enjoy the network of amazing women that we have met, along with the great leadership training that the group provides.
Together, like our fathers, we are building great businesses in this industry and great friendships along the way!