Summer 2025 – News Beat
ERA ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT OF WALTER TOBIN, CEO
ERA announces that CEO Walter Tobin will retire from the association after 10 years. The ERA Executive Committee has formed an executive search team and is currently working diligently to find a new CEO for the organization.
“After a 10-year career as ERA CEO, with success that cannot be overstated, Walter Tobin has notified us of his intention to retire,” said Tom Griffin, CPMR, President of the ERA Executive Committee. “Whether we measure Walter’s success in membership, revenue growth, ERA Conference attendance, sponsorships, perception in our industry or anything else, Walter has performed beyond our wildest expectations. We are very grateful for his passion and leadership.” “I have had the distinct pleasure and honor of serving on the ERA Executive Committee for Walter’s entire 10 years as CEO,” said John O’Brien, CPMR, Chairman of the ERA Executive Committee. “His commitment to our Association and its membership has been unparalleled. I am fortunate to not only have had the opportunity to work with Walter, but can call him my friend.”
Throughout Tobin’s tenure as CEO of ERA, he has brought new life into the association, growing its membership and annual Conference attendance by three-fold. He has carried forth fully the association’s mission of advancing the rep function while joining together the “three legs of the stool” – manufacturers’ reps, distributors and manufacturers. He oversaw the implementation of the ERA HoverMap®, SearchLink.ai, the significant growth of ERA’s distributor membership category, the revival of many regional ERA chapters, an ERA podcast, ERA LIVE and the ERA/Edgewater partnership industry survey, among many other initiatives.
ERA’s annual Tobin Bridge award, created and presented for the first time in 2020, was named after Walter and refers to a famous bridge in Boston. It recognizes individuals who successfully “bridge” and unite people across the electronics components industry. Read the entire press release.
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR STEP 2025
Registration for ERA’s STEP (Sales Training for Electronics Professionals) 2025 is now open!
Now in its fifth year, ERA’s live, virtual training program will take place Oct. 7-9, 2025, and will offer both veteran and newcomer electronics sales professionals a chance to take a “step” up in their careers and sharpen their sales skills. Sponsored by the TTI Family of Specialists, the program offers nine sessions that will span an array of useful topics, including sales communication, AI, relationship-building and more. Register for STEP, and stay tuned throughout the summer for more information on sessions, schedule and speakers.
ERA ANNOUNCES 2026 CORE COMMITTEE MEMBERS
ERA has announced the chair, vice chair and members of the 2026 ERA Conference Committee. Perry Thornton, president, Pinnacle Marketing, will serve as Conference Committee Chair, and Julie Carr, vice president, MacInnis Group, will serve as Conference Committee Vice Chair.
The remainder of the 2026 Conference Committee leaders are as follows: Adam Anderson, CPMR, Breakout Sessions Co-Chair; Holly Good, Breakout Sessions Co-Chair; Zach Anderson, Keynote/General Sessions Co-Chair; Heather D’Amico, CPMR, Keynote/General Sessions Co-Chair; Adam Grigor, Sponsorships Co-Chair; Scott Lindberg, Sponsorships Co-Chair; Todd McAtee, Conference Advisor; and Ellen Coan, CPMR, ERA Executive Committee Liaison.
For a list of the entire Conference Committee, view the entire press release.
The 2026 ERA Conference will be ERA’s 57th national conference and will take place at a brand-new venue — the Hilton Austin Downtown — on February 22-24, 2026.
IN MEMORIAM: DAVID H. MYERS
ERA announces with sadness the passing of David H. Myers in April 2025 in Maryland. Myers had a long and successful career as the owner of rep firm Naudain Associates Southern. He served as delegate and then president for a time of the Chesapeake ERA chapter. Myers was inducted into the ERA White Pin Group in 1985. For more information, view Myer’s obituary.