STEP 2026 – Speaker List
STEP 2026 speakers are listed below in alphabetical order, by last name.
View the full STEP 2026 agenda and schedule.
Rob Brunson, President, Wallace Electronics
Session: Modern Sales Tools & Technology
Rob Brunson is the President of Wallace Electronic Sales. With an interest and curiosity in AI, blockchain and other systems, Rob is always exploring new was to implement new technology in order to become more efficient in his day to day and to bring value to Wallace Electronic Sales, our customers, principals and distribution partners.
Charlene DeCesare, MBA, Senior Consultant, The RAIN Group
Session: The 9 Habits of Extreme Productivity
Dr. Charlene DeCesare is a trusted sales advisor who has been helping teams develop a relationship-based approach to selling and account management for more than 25 years.
Charlene is a lead consultant and master facilitator with the RAIN Group, a research-based sales training firm. Prior to RAIN, Charlene ran her own sales consulting firm for many years where she was also a fractional VP of Sales for a variety of companies. She also created and led the global strategic accounts organization for the technology research firm, Gartner, Inc.
Charlene has a B.S. in Communications from Emerson College and an M.B.A. in Sales & Marketing from Rivier University. She recently earned her Doctor of Business Administration degree at Johnson & Wales University.
Charlene lives on a golf course in New Hampshire and is known for her Cher impersonation!
Jake Hall, “The Manufacturing Millenial” — Keynote Speaker and Industry Advocate
Session: Unlock the Power of LinkedIn for Sales Growth
Jake Hall — known as the Manufacturing Millennial — is an advocate manufacturing, automation and skilled trades by helping revolutionize the way people and companies present through social media. With more than 100,000 followers and 150,000,000+ views on his content, he ignites conversations about the latest in manufacturing and automation to excite the current and future workforce about our industry.
Jake started his career in manufacturing at the age of 15, working for a custom machine builder sweeping floors, cleaning CNC machines, and learning how to weld. He graduated from Grand Valley State University with a bachelor’s degree in product design and manufacturing engineering and a minor in biomedical engineering.
Jake then spent the next 10 years working in automation distribution and systems integration around robotics, machine vision, motion control, digital software and smart manufacturing.In 2020 Jake started posting on social media to showcase and advocate the technology and solutions in our industry.
By 2023, he started the Manufacturing Millennial, traveling to hundreds of events and delivering keynote speeches around the world advocating manufacturing.
Annelise McCarthy, HER Speaking Coach
Sessions:
> Speak to Be Remembered: Crafting Presentations That Actually Land
> Speaking with Authority: Confidence, Voice, and Executive Presence
Meet Annelise – a professional speaker, passionate coach and modern voice in the world of communication and leadership.
With more than six years of experience coaching speakers, a decade of formal training through the Australian Speech Communication Association (ASCA), and a Diploma in Teaching Public Speaking, Annelise brings both deep expertise and vibrant energy to every stage. She holds a double Bachelor in Law and Languages & Culture (majoring in Mandarin), and was a finalist at the World Individual Debating and Public Speaking Championships in Pittsburgh, 2016.
Formerly the “cool” public speaking teacher in schools, Annelise has since coached thousands of professionals to speak with more confidence, clarity and authenticity, especially in high-pressure environments. With a combined online audience of over 250,000, she is known for blending practical tools with a dynamic, unapologetically modern approach to communication.
Annelise is determined to rewrite the rules of public speaking, ditching the dull and the pretentious for something far more powerful: real, confident, authentic communication. With a bold, no-fear approach, she helps others embrace imperfection, challenge tradition and discover that strong speaking skills aren’t just for the few. They’re for life.
Riad Nizam
President, Master Electronics
Session: Fueling High Performance through Culture
Riad Nizam is president of Master Electronics, a leading global distributor of electronic components founded by his family more than 60 years ago. He has helped guide the company through significant growth and transformation by investing in people, technology and automation. Master Electronics has scaled to over $800M in revenue under Riad’s leadership. Riad is especially passionate about company culture, which he believes is the most important and sustainable competitive advantage a business can have. Outside of work, Riad is a dedicated husband and father, an active member of YPO, and an endurance hiker who has completed multiple 29,000-foot Everesting challenges.
Walter Tobin
Former ERA CEO, Industry Consultant
Session: Understanding the Electronics Industry: Past, Present & Future
Walter E. Tobin is an electronics industry veteran with 40+ years of experience in sales, marketing and executive/corporate management positions. Tobin recently was the ERA CEO for 10 years. Before that, he held senior management positions at Arrow Electronics, Pioneer-Standard Electronics and at Future Electronics. Walter holds a bachelor’s degree and MBA in marketing from Boston College. He is also a former U.S. Army captain.
Tim Wackel, Founder and President, The Wackel Group
Session: How Winners Win: Exploring the DNA of Today’s Top Sales Performers
Tim Wackel is hired by sales executives who want their teams to be more successful at blowing their number away. His “no excuses” programs are insightful, engaging and focused on providing real world strategies that salespeople can (and will!) implement right away. His list of clients includes organizations like Allstate, Cisco, Hewlett Packard, Wells Fargo, Lexmark, Philips Medical Systems, Red Hat and many professional and trade associations.
Tim is the founder and president of The Wackel Group, a sales training and consulting firm dedicated to helping organizations find, win and keep customers for life. He earned his electrical engineering degree from the University of Nebraska and currently lives in Dallas where he tries to spend as much time as possible on the golf course.
Shane Zutz, MBA, Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer, DigiKey
Session: High-Impact Leadership: Creating Influence Before You Have a Title
As the leader of DigiKey’s human resources function, Shane Zutz is responsible for leading DigiKey through a digital transformation that impacts 4,500 employees across the globe, as well as supporting the company’s tremendous growth and physical expansion. DigiKey’s HR department follows an “outside-in” model, reimagining our work to create additional value for employees and customers, and making Digi-Key the best place to work whether you are in Thief River Falls, EMEA, APAC or fully remote. Shane’s leadership abilities and forward-thinking outlook are a direct result of his background in education. Before his time at DigiKey, he spent many years as a teacher, coach, assistant principal and high school principal. He’s built high-performing teams throughout his career and is energized by empowering a culture that encourages everyone to do their best work by putting people first.