Current Posts

Author Archive

> Member Alert: 2027 ERA Conference Hotel Scams

Dear ERA Members,

We want to make you aware of an issue we’ve heard from several of you about. Many members are receiving spam emails from various “companies” claiming to assist with your hotel accommodations for the 2027 ERA Conference.

Please know that ERA does not send these types of emails. These are often third-party solicitation or phishing attempts designed to get you to click a link or provide your personal or payment information.

The safest way to reserve your room for Conference is to access the Hilton Austin hotel link directly through the ERA website at https://era.org/conference-hotel-venue/.

You can also look closely at the sender’s email address. If it isn’t coming from the Hilton Austin or ERA, be cautious. When in doubt, don’t click the link or respond to the email. Go directly to era.org and access the official hotel reservation link from there.

Thank you to everyone who has reached out and brought these emails to our attention. We appreciate you looking out for one another and helping us keep our members informed.

We hope to see you all in Austin in February at the Hilton Austin!

Thank you,

ERA National


The safest way to reserve your room for Conference is to access the Hilton Austin hotel link directly through the ERA website at https://era.org/conference-hotel-venue/.

Posted in: Press Releases

Leave a Comment (0) →

> 2027 ERA Conference Registration & Sponsorships Now Open!

 

Registration and sponsorships are now open for the 2027 ERA Conference, scheduled for Feb. 21-23, 2027, at the Hilton Austin in downtown Austin, Texas!

Register today to reserve your spot to attend the electronics industry’s do-not-miss event!

The past three Conferences were sell-out events! If you want to secure your seat, do not wait to register. Seats are limited.

Sign up to sponsor and support the conference’s educational program and networking opportunities! Most sponsorship levels include complimentary attendee registration(s).

Take advantage of this great opportunity now to not only register to attend the conference, but also sponsor the event at a level that works best for your company.


THANK YOU, 2027 CONFERENCE COMMITTEE!

Conference Chair – Julie Carr, MacInnis Group

Conference Co-Chair – Brooks Mattice, TMC – A Mel Foster Company

Adam Anderson, CPMR, Norris & Associates, Inc.

Holly Myers, Sager Electronics

Scott Lindberg, Quell Corporation

Maryellen Stack, Sager Electronics

Diana Nawrocki, CPMR, Control Sales Inc.

Toby Lasley, Ion Associates, Inc.

Zach Anderson, Harper and Two

Rob De Rose, CST-Arwin

Heather D’Amico, CPMR, Brainard Nielsen Marketing Inc.

Lori Bruno, CPMR, MaRCtech2

Todd McAtee, Flip Electronics

Posted in: Press Releases

Leave a Comment (0) →

> The Summer 2026 Issue of The Representor is Here!

View the Summer 2026 digital issue of The Representor, which offers a fully integrated digital experience accessed from any device — smartphone, tablet, desktop computer — anywhere, at any time. (Want a print copy? Subscribe here.)

> View/download the interactive PDF

> Read digital edition


In this issue, don’t miss:

> “What if we kept that same graduation day mindset?” – Tobi Cornell, CPMR
> “The Rep Council, revisited” – John Guetens
> “Beyond the data sheet: Why the best reps never stop being students” – Lori Bruno, CPMR
> “The playing field: The ultimate training ground in field sales” – Kingsland Coombs, CPMR
> “Building tomorrow’s leaders: An update on MentorUP, COLT and STEP” – Ellen Coan, CPMR

… plus Legal and Tax columns, Chapter News, News Beat and more!

Posted in: Press Releases

Leave a Comment (0) →

> Reflections on year one: Building a stronger foundation for ERA

Reflections on year one: Building a stronger foundation for ERA

It is incredible how fast time flies — it has been almost a year that I’ve joined ERA as CEO. It has been awesome for me to learn about ERA and manufacturers’ reps and what both do and how they do it. I have spent a lot of time visiting different markets to speak to the local reps and hear what’s on their mind and what they would like ERA to do going forward. I have now had one ERA conference and one EDS under my belt as ERA CEO.

The first new program that we have implemented is the new MentorUP program sponsored by Master Electronics. Let me first thank Master Electronics for stepping up and providing funding to build our mentorship online platform and professional design. I have personally had some of the best mentors in the business and still rely on them for guidance and support. I believe one of the greatest gifts someone can give is their time, guidance and support. The initial response and sign-up for the MentorUP program has been robust and extremely positive. The first cohort of mentors and mentees will meet July through December 2026. This program can be a game changer for our organization and membership!

The next new program that will be rolled out will be a Market TAM portal for ERA members only, hosted on ERA.org. This portal will show extensive market TAM data for U.S., Canada and Mexico by HTS codes and area. Data will be able to be sorted by area and product type. Mexico ERA started this program and then ERA National took it over and expanded this to cover all three regions. There is a lot more to come in this department, so stay tuned.

We have also spent time with distributors and helped them shape new programs for reps, in order to work arm-in-arm with them in the local markets. I’m pleased to say there is strong engagement in this area from both sides. Working with all “three legs of the stool” is fundamental to making for a stronger community to help the end customers get the best service possible. More information is coming on this in July and August.

On the manufacturer’s front: with the help of Mike Swenson and other people such as Cesare Giammarco, we have prepared three new presentations that show the value of reps to manufacturers, which we will post on ERA.org in the near future. The one that I am most excited about is a “Rep vs. Direct Calculator” that can be adjusted by marketplace or used as an overall look at across regions. We continue to show it and get feedback from our community and will continue to improve these value-add tools.

We have a busy summer at ERA National planning another fall STEP (Sales Training for Electronics Professionals), sponsored by TTI. This live, virtual sales training should be taken by all ERA members to sharpen sales skills and make you personally more valuable to your business and customers. Most professional industries have a mandated amount of continuing education; if we want to call ourselves professionals, we should continue to learn the latest and greatest tools and ways to go to market.

We have picked Julie Carr and Brooks Mattice as our 2027 ERA Conference Chair and Co-Chair, respectively, and I want to personally thank them for their time and effort. They have one of the most important roles in leading the ERA Conference. The number of volunteers in the committee is also very humbling and impressive, so thank you all for your time and effort.

Last but not least — the charity work being done by local ERA chapters in raising funds for local charities really humbles me when I visit the different regions and see the amount of effort and results in giving back to the local communities. We will continue to visit and support as many of these events as possible. Keep up the great work. The local chapters are what differentiates ERA from all others.

As you can see, there is a lot going on and I am excited about the future of ERA and our industry. We are in a super cycle so sit back and enjoy it.

Posted in: Commentary

Leave a Comment (0) →

> ERA Quick Connections — July 2026, Vol. 2

July 2026, Vol. 2


MONTHLY POS REPORTS

The electronic components POS Index has entered a clearly stronger growth phase in 2026. Through May, the index is averaging approximately 1.36, about 9 percent above the same period in 2025, and every month has exceeded its year-ago level. March reached a new chart high near 1.45, while April and May eased modestly but remained elevated at approximately 1.39 and 1.34. Overall, the chart indicates sustained channel sales momentum rather than a single-month spike, with activity also running well above the 2023–2024 baseline.

See the full chart and report.

 


INDUSTRY NEWS

Intel announced last week a €5 billion ($5.7 billion USD) capital investment at its Leixlip, Ireland campus, marking the next phase in the site’s capacity expansion. Read more.

> Hughes-Peters announced it has promoted Jake Metzger to Vice President of SalesRead more.

> How to keep your workplace skillset valuable as technology keeps rapidly shiftingHere are some ideas.

 


ERA NEWS

Announcing the first three sessions of this year’s STEP! They are: Modern Sales Tools & Technology, presented by Rob Brunson; The 9 Habits of Extreme Productivity, presented by Dr. Charlene DeCesare; and Understanding the Electronics Industry: Past, Present & Future, presented by Walter Tobin.

Remember: All sessions are recorded and are available on-demand to attendees 24/7 after the event. ERA members, enjoy a $100 registration discount!

View program overview and register today.


ERA is excited to announce that the theme for the 2027 ERA Conference will be, “Adapt Today, Win Tomorrow: Igniting Our Future.”

The Conference Committee selected a theme that is a call to immediate action, urging our members to embrace the emerging tools, digital transformations and market realities so we are in a great position to handle future challenges.

“In a market defined by rapid technological evolution, complacency is the greatest risk,” said Julie Carr, Vice President, MacInnis Group, and 2027 ERA Conference Chair. “This theme is critical because it reminds us that tomorrow’s victories are dependent on today’s agility. The companies that are willing to pivot their strategies, upskill their workforces and diversify their partnerships today are the ones that will dominate the market landscape tomorrow.”

Conference registration and sponsorships will open mid-August! Read the full press release.


The ERA Bulletin Board is a place where members can post and view available job positions, potential job candidates and agency sales/mergers opportunities!

Postings can be anonymous if you prefer. To post to the bulletin board, e-mail your listing to Karin Derkacz at kderkacz@era.org.

 

 


INDUSTRY TRENDS SURVEY

The July 2026 ERA Electronic Components Industry Trend Survey is now closed.

Check your email inbox.

VIEW SURVEY RESULTS FROM 2024-2026


CHAPTER EVENTS & NEWS


Posted in: Press Releases

Leave a Comment (0) →

> Hughes-Peters Promotes Jake Metzger to Vice President of Sales

Dayton, Ohio – 6-23-2026 – Hughes-Peters, a multiregional electronics distributor, is pleased to announce the promotion of Jake Metzger from Regional Vice President to Vice President of Sales.

In this expanded role, Metzger will guide the company’s overall sales vision, spearhead growth initiatives, and lead his committed team to delivering the highest level of service to our customers. Mike Smith, one of the three majority owners of Hughes-Peters since 1999, will be stepping down from this position to take on a new role within the company and will remain on the leadership team for the organization.

Since joining Hughes-Peters in 2007, Metzger has played a pivotal role in driving market expansion and forging strategic partnerships. His leadership of the central region has been key to the success of Hughes-Peters in these markets. “Jake has been instrumental in executing our business model, including our focus on results,” said Mike Okel, President of Hughes-Peters. “We are excited to see how Jake’s vision will shape the next chapter of our sales success.”

In his new position, Metzger will focus on strengthening our sales team for the long-term and identifying new opportunities for sustainable growth. “I am grateful for the trust placed in me and eager to build on the strong foundation we’ve created,” said Jake Metzger. “Our team is ready to meet expectations and deliver even greater value to our customers and vendors.”

Hughes-Peters is a 49 percent-owned ESOP based in Dayton, Ohio, with eight branches, including three stocking and value-added locations. Guided by a commitment to providing tailored solutions to our partnered customers, including inventory management systems and a culture of employee ownership, Hughes-Peters will continue to be a distribution leader in the markets we serve.

For more information about Hughes-Peters, visit: Our Company – Hughes- Peters

Posted in: Industry News

Leave a Comment (0) →

> ERA Announces 2027 Conference Theme

ERA PRESS RELEASE
July 10, 2026
Contact: Clare Kluck / Communications Director / ckluck@era.org

View/download this press release


 

ERA Announces 2027 Conference Theme

The Electronics Representatives Association (ERA) is excited to announce that the theme for the 2027 ERA Conference will be, “Adapt Today, Win Tomorrow: Igniting Our Future.”

The conference planning committee selected a theme that is a call to immediate action, urging our members to embrace the emerging tools, digital transformations and market realities so we are in a great position to handle future challenges.

“In a market defined by rapid technological evolution, complacency is the greatest risk,” said Julie Carr, Vice President, MacInnis Group, and 2027 ERA Conference Chair. “This theme is critical because it reminds us that tomorrow’s victories are dependent on today’s agility. The companies that are willing to pivot their strategies, upskill their workforces and diversify their partnerships today are the ones that will dominate the market landscape tomorrow.”

“This conference theme is about passion, innovation and proactive growth,” said Brooks Mattice, Vice President of Sales, Mel Foster Group, and 2027 ERA Conference Co-Chair. “It means we aren’t just trying to survive market disruptions; we are using them as fuel to spark new opportunities, drive engineering breakthroughs and lead the global electronics supply chain into its next great era.”

The 2027 ERA Conference will be ERA’s 58th national conference and will take place at the Hilton Austin on February 21-23, 2027. Attendee registration and sponsorship registration for the conference will open in August. Stay tuned to ERA’s emails, social media and website for details.

ERA’s annual national conference is an educational and networking event that offers a unique opportunity for electronics industry manufacturers’ reps, manufacturers and distributors to learn together in an environment dedicated to sharing proven best practices in field sales and marketing. Complete with keynote speakers, breakout sessions and networking events, this do-not-miss event offers a collaborative and energetic environment where all attendees can learn, connect and grow.


About ERA

The 91-year-old Electronics Representatives Association (ERA) is the international trade organization for professional field sales companies in the global electronics industries, manufacturers who go to market through representative firms and global distributors. It is the mission of ERA to support the professional field sales function through programs and activities that educate, inform and advocate for manufacturers’ representatives, the principals they represent and the distributors who are reps’ partners in local territories.

For more information about ERA, visit era.org.

 

 

Posted in: Press Releases

Leave a Comment (0) →

> ERA Quick Connections — June 2026, Vol. 2

June 2026, Vol. 2


MONTHLY POS REPORT

The POS Index eased approximately 6 percent from March’s record high but remained at one of the strongest levels observed over the past several years. The modest month-over-month decline appears to be a normalization following an exceptional March rather than a shift in underlying demand. Overall, the trend continues to point upward, with April significantly outperforming the same period last year, reflecting sustained channel strength and healthy market momentum.

See the full chart and report.

 


INDUSTRY NEWS

> After a one-day plunge of chip stocks on Tuesday, chip-maker Micron rebounded with a blockbuster report of a 346 percent sales jump on Wednesday afternoon. Read more.

Printed circuit board prices are up 40 percent due to a material most people haven’t heard of. Read more.

> As we celebrate 250 years of American democracy, Larry Robertson reflects on leadership lessons we can glean from our country’s historyRead more.

 


ERA NEWS

> MentorUP enrollment is still open…but not for long! The deadline to enroll is 4 days away — Monday, June 29. Mentorship is a proven way to grow, connect and thrive, and we’d love for you to be part of it. If you’re thinking about signing up to join the next ERA mentor/mentee cohort that will meet July through December, do not wait. Enroll today.

The program is FREE for ERA members, so what do you have to lose?

View program overviewmentor info, mentee info and enroll today.


Registration is now open for 2026 ERA STEP!

Mark your calendars for Sept. 29-Oct. 1, because ERA’s Sales Training for Electronics Professionals (STEP) is returning to elevate your sales game.

Designed specifically for frontline electronics industry sales reps, manufacturers and distributors, STEP 2026 delivers elite professional development directly to your screen. This year’s program features nine robust, 75-minute educational sessions led by a mix of professional sales trainers and seasoned industry executives.

Register today!


The next ERA LIVE will take place on Tuesday, July 21 at 4:00 p.m. ET, where Dennis Reed, senior analyst with Edgewater Research, will give a mid-year economic and market update. Budde Marketing will give an update on its acquisiton by Orbweaver at the end of the session.

More details and log-in information. We’ll see you there!

 


INDUSTRY TRENDS SURVEY

The June 2026 ERA Electronic Components Industry Trend Survey is now live!

Check your email inbox.

VIEW SURVEY RESULTS FROM 2024-2026


CHAPTER EVENTS & NEWS

Southern California ERA — Mix & Mingle Social — Mon., July 13

Ohio ERA — Break for Baseball — Wed., Aug. 5

IN-KY ERA — Golf Event — Thurs., Aug. 13

Pacific-Northwest ERA — Save the Date: Golf Tournament – Fri., Aug. 21

Southern California ERA — Annual Golf Tournament — Mon., Aug. 31


Posted in: Press Releases

Leave a Comment (0) →

> Registration is now open for ERA STEP 2026!

The 6th annual ERA Sales Training for Electronics Professionals (STEP) returns Sept. 29 — Oct. 1, 2026!

Designed specifically for frontline electronics industry sales representatives, manufacturers and distributors, STEP 2026 delivers elite professional development directly to your screen. This year’s program features nine robust, 75-minute educational sessions led by a mix of professional sales trainers and seasoned industry executives.

REGISTER TODAY

Why STEP 2026 is the Smartest Investment in Your Career This Year:

  • Unmatched value for your registration fee: Accessing top-tier industry consultants and executive-level trainers individually would cost thousands. STEP packs that exact high-caliber expertise into a single, highly affordable registration fee—giving you massive ROI and direct access to strategies that win business in today’s market.
  • The power of virtual training: Skip the expensive flights, hotel bills and days away from your territory. Our live, interactive virtual format delivers the intensity of an in-person workshop with the ultimate flexibility. You get real-time engagement, collaborative learning and immediate application without logistical headaches.
  • Future-proof your skillset: STEP gives you a dedicated space to step back from the daily grind, sharpen your tactical sales skills and master modern best practices. You aren’t just sitting through lectures; you are developing a professional toolset to close deals faster and excel in your career.
  • Immediate, tactical takeaways: Every single session is built for action. You will walk away with downloadable checklists, frameworks and practical materials you can implement the very next day to see measurable results.

Registration fees:

—ERA Members: $295 per person
—Non-Members: $395 per person

Session and speaker details will be announced soon!

Questions? Contact ERA Events Manager Kate Van Hise at kvanhise@era.org.

Posted in: Press Releases

Leave a Comment (0) →

> ERA Quick Connections — June 2026, Vol. 1

June 2026, Vol. 1


MANUFACTURING DATA REPORT

Economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in May for the fifth straight month, says the latest ISM® Manufacturing PMI® Report.

The computer and electronic products sector, and the electrical equipment, appliances & components sector, both reported growth. Read the full report.

 


INDUSTRY NEWS

> Memory chips are getting harder to find and more expensive as AI data centers consume more of the global memory supply. Read more.

> University of Texas-Austin has been selected as part of a 10-state regional effort that will bring together universities and industry to expand the semiconductor workforce, especially in the South where the need is great. Read more.

> How elite sports coaches make high-pressure decisions and how business leaders can learn from them. Read more.


ERA NEWS

ERA’s MentorUp 2026 enrollment is officially open! Whether you’re ready to be a mentor or a mentee — we’d love for you to join the program. There is no fee to participate; you just need to be an employee of an ERA-member company.

Enroll HERE. (Once on Chronus page, click +JOIN on the top right.)

The enrollment deadline is June 29 and the first cohort will meet July through December 2026. View program overviewmentor info, mentee info and FAQ.

 

The next ERA LIVE will take place on Tuesday, July 21 at 4:00 p.m. ET, where Dennis Reed, senior analyst with Edgewater Research, will give a mid-year economic and market update. Budde Marketing will give an update on its acquisiton by Orbweaver at the end of the session.

More details and log-in information. We’ll see you there!

 

> ERA is now accepting reservations for ad space in the Summer 2026 issue of The Representor magazine! ERA offers discounted rates for members. Viewrates and sizes. Reserve an ad today. Ad reservations are due by Friday, June 26.

Questions about advertising? Contact Clare Kluck, ERA Communications Director, at ckluck@era.org. View 2026 media kit.

 

 


INDUSTRY TRENDS SURVEY

The January 2026 ERA Electronic Components

Industry Trend Survey is now live!

Check your email inbox.

VIEW SURVEY RESULTS FROM 2024-2026


CHAPTER EVENTS & NEWS

Minnesota ERA — Networking Event feat. Speakers Dave Doherty & Eddie Smith — Wed., June 17

Metro NY ERA — Steve Alford Memorial Golf Outing – Mon., June 22

Chesapeake ERA — TopGolf Networking Event — Tues., June 23

Chicagoland-Wisconsin ERA — Summerfest Outing — Thurs., June 25

Southern California ERA — Mix & Mingle Social — Mon., July 13

Pacific-Northwest ERA — Save the Date: Golf Tournament – Fri., Aug. 21

Southern California ERA — Annual Golf Tournament — Mon., Aug. 31

Posted in: Press Releases

Leave a Comment (0) →

> Mentorship is coming…Announcing MentorUP!

Mentorship is coming…

ERA is thrilled to officially introduce ERA’s new MentorUP program! MentorUP is a strategic initiative designed to support professional development, strengthen connections and foster collaboration across the electronics components industry. By pairing ERA members together, this program will drive learning, build confidence, and spark career momentum.

A massive thank you to Master Electronics for sponsoring this incredible initiative!

Who is MentorUP for?

▪️ Mentees: Early-career talent, rising leaders or anyone taking on new roles who is hungry for guidance, clarity and career growth.
▪️ Mentors: Experienced industry professionals who want to give back, share insights and sharpen their own leadership and coaching skills.

Mark your calendars

Enrollment will open in mid-June; stay tuned for the sign-up link. The first cohort will run July 1 – Dec 31, 2026. How can you help right now? 1.) Start championing this within your teams; 2.) Encourage your high-potential employees to apply and reinforce the value of mentorship and 3.) Consider being a mentor in this program!

Stay tuned for more details…

Posted in: Press Releases

Leave a Comment (0) →

> ERA Announces 2027 ERA Conference Chair, Co-Chair & Core Committee

ERA PRESS RELEASE
June 3, 2026
Contact: Clare Kluck / Communications Director / ckluck@era.org



ERA Announces 2027 ERA Conference Chair, Co-Chair & Core Committee

ERA is pleased to announce the appointment of the Chair, Co-Chair and 2027 ERA Conference Core Committee leaders responsible for leading the planning of next year’s Conference.

Julie Carr, Vice President, MacInnis Group, will serve as Conference Committee Chair, while Brooks Mattice, Vice President of Sales, Mel Foster Group, will serve as Conference Co-Chair.

The remainder of the 2027 Conference Committee leaders are as follows:

  • Keynote/General Session Committee Chairs:
    • Toby Lasley, President, Ion Associates
    • Diana Nawrocki, CPMR, Executive Vice President, Control Sales
    • Maryellen Stack, Vice President of Marketing and Communications and E-Commerce, Sager Electronics
  • Breakout Session Committee Chairs:
    • Adam Anderson, CPMR, Vice President, Norris & Associates
    • Scott Lindberg, President, Quell Corporation
    • Holly Myers, Director, Supplier Marketing and Product Management, Sager Electronics
  • Sponsorship Committee Chairs:
    • Zach Anderson, President & CEO, Harper and Two
    • Heather D’Amico, CPMR, Vice President, Brainard-Nielsen Marketing
    • Rob DeRose, President, CST-Arwin
  • ERA Executive Committee Liaison — Lori Bruno, CPMR, Director of Distribution, Northern California, MaRCTech2
  • Conference Advisor — Todd McAtee, Global Chief Revenue Officer, Flip Electronics

 

“It is a privilege to serve as Chair of the 2027 ERA Conference,” said Carr. “Together with Brooks and our exceptional committee chairs, we are committed to delivering an unforgettable event that inspires, motivates and drives meaningful value for every attendee.”

“With a committee of this caliber, we aren’t just planning another event—we are shaping a definitive industry experience that will resonate for years to come,” said Mattice.

The 2027 ERA Conference will be ERA’s 58th national conference and will take place at the Hilton Austin Downtown on February 21-23, 2027.

ERA plans to announce the Conference theme and attendee/sponsorship registration this summer.


About ERA

The 91-year-old Electronics Representatives Association (ERA) is the international trade organization for professional field sales companies in the global electronics industries, manufacturers who go to market through representative firms and global distributors. It is the mission of ERA to support the professional field sales function through programs and activities that educate, inform and advocate for manufacturers’ representatives, the principals they represent and the distributors who are reps’ partners in local territories. For more information about ERA, visit era.org.

Posted in: Press Releases

Leave a Comment (0) →

> ERA Quick Connections — May 2026, Vol. 2

May 2026, Vol. 2


MONTHLY POS REPORTS

March 2026 was the highest POS month in the past two years, with POS activity being 13 percent higher than March 2025. The first quarter of 2026 was also 13 percent ahead of 2025Q1. March is always a good reporting month and it certainly did not disappoint this year. We have seen an excellent start for the year and expect solid growth for the remainder of the year. April numbers usually far short of March’s, but we don’t anticipate much of a difference based on 1st quarter performance.

See the full chart and report. 


INDUSTRY NEWS

> The reported preliminary agreement between Apple and Intel for Intel to manufacture some Apple-designed chips could reshape U.S. chip manufacturing. Read more.

> American invented the printed circuit board — now we only make 4 percent of them. Why? Listen to more on this The Manufacturing Report podcast.

> The class of 2026 are your new hires and need help building an internal compass for resilience, adaptability and flexibility. How can you help them do this? Read more.


ERA NEWS

> ERA is thrilled to officially introduce ERA’s new MentorUP program! MentorUP is a strategic initiative designed to support professional development, strengthen connections and foster collaboration across the electronics components industry. By pairing ERA members together, this program will drive learning, build confidence and spark career momentum. Thank you to Master Electronics for sponsoring this incredible initiative!

Who is MentorUP for? ERA Member Mentees: Early-career talent, rising leaders or anyone taking on new roles who is hungry for guidance, clarity and career growth. ERA Member Mentors: Experienced industry professionals who want to give back, share insights and sharpen their own leadership and coaching skills.

Mark your calendars:

  • Enrollment opens: Mid-June (Stay tuned for the sign-up link!)
  • First cohort runs: July 1 – Dec 31, 2026
  • Encourage your high-potential employees to apply to be a mentee or…Consider being a mentor in this program!

Stay tuned for more details!


 

The Spring 2026 Issue of The Representor is LIVE! The latest edition of The Representor magazine — featuring the EDS Showcase section — is officially here, and it is packed with the insights, recaps and industry expertise you need to stay ahead in the electronics world.

Don’t miss: the cover story: “Why manufacturers’ representatives still win: access, influence and the myth of control”, the EDS Showcase, a 2026 ERA Conference Recap, Executive Commentary, Q&A Spotlights… plus our legal and tax columns, chapter news and more! Read the issue online.

 

 


 

CHAPTER EVENTS & NEWS

Northern California ERA — 3rd Annual Golf Event Benefiting Special Olympics — Wed., June 10

Minnesota ERA — Networking Event feat. Speakers Dave Doherty & Eddie Smith — Wed., June 17

Metro NY ERA — Steve Alford Memorial Golf Outing – Mon., June 22

Chesapeake ERA — TopGolf Networking Event — Tues., June 23

Chicagoland-Wisconsin ERA — Summerfest Outing — Thurs., June 25

Southern California ERA — Mix & Mingle Social— Monday, July 13

Pacific-Northwest ERA — Save the Date: Golf Tournament – Fri., Aug. 21

Southern California ERA — Annual Golf Tournament — Mon., Aug. 31

Posted in: Press Releases

Leave a Comment (0) →

> From Austin to EDS: Strengthening the three legs of the stool

Ed Smith, ERA CEO

Hello! Just a short time has passed since the national ERA Conference in Austin, where we hosted the event at a new venue, but still had the same great energy. Thank you to the ERA staff and volunteers for your time and effort. The sponsorships were sold out and the speakers were on point. The hotel has guaranteed that the elevators and hot water issues are being addressed. I look forward to seeing everyone in Austin next year at another great event.

Our attention now turns to the next big event in our industry which is EDS — it is Vegas or bust! I think this year EDS is very important as the industry is seeing very robust book-to-bill rates of 1.2 to 1.5 being reported, and this is being driven by markets such as industrial, medical, defense/aerospace, data centers and power. This year the conversation is about the art of the possible. How do we not build up dead inventory, while delivering the parts customers need? How do we maintain a strong backlog that they can build with all the parts available? Precise communication is necessary in these times as many things are moving quickly, like demand, inventory and what parts are not available to fulfill a complete BOM. All “legs of the stool” have to have tight communication and focus on lead time, pricing and quantities. The other big concern in a tight market is counterfeiting of parts and how customers fill the gaps in the supply chain.

This year we at ERA will roll out two new exciting programs. The first one will be a new set of TAM data broken down by area, product type and quantity. We are building a website so that reps can get the geographic data and manufacturers can get the same data as reps, plus the overall country such as the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The distributors will be able to see all the data across all regions. There are 28 columns of data so ERA is building a user-friendly website to make it into easily digestible information that will be of great value to all three legs of the stool. The second program is a formal ERA mentoring program that will help build connection and learning even further in our industry. I look forward to moving both of these programs forward and helping ERA show value to our member firms.

We at ERA look forward to seeing you all at EDS and working with you in Vegas.

Please stop by our booth in the Lily Ballroom and don’t forget that we have meeting rooms available for our members to use. It is also a great place to network with fellow members and have a cup of coffee and a snack. I can’t wait to see you all in Vegas and hear how the industry is moving during this new supercycle.

Posted in: Commentary

Leave a Comment (0) →

> ERA Quick Connections — May 2026, Vol. 1

May 2026, Vol. 1


MANUFACTURING DATA REPORTS

Economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in April for the fourth straight month, says the latest ISM® Manufacturing PMI® Report.

The computer and electronic products sector, and the electrical equipment, appliances & components sector, both reported growth. Read the full report.

 


INDUSTRY NEWS

Oregon-based Lattice Semiconductor said Monday it is buying a Georgia tech company called AMI for $1.65 billion in cash and stock, a deal the Oregon company said will improve its products for data centers and artificial intelligence. Read more.

> A new Trump executive order could reshape retirement savings for those who don’t have access to an employer-sponsored plan. Read more.

> You may think of your to-do list as overwhelming and tedious— like a debt you need to pay off. Reframing your to-do list as credit-building and a way to move forward can radically change your perspective and energize youRead more.


ERA NEWS

> The EDS Summit will be here soon!

Make sure the ERA Business Center in the Lily Ballroom is your home base. Stop by to: chat with the ERA National Staff and visit with our Recognized Resource providers; grab the special EDS Lines Available edition; pick up your ERA member ribbon; and enjoy some refreshments and a quiet place to connect.

*Note from the EDS Show Corp: EDS badges can be picked up beginning at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 18 at the registration desk. Be sure to build in time for this process so that it does not impact your meeting schedule. As a reminder, everyone in the event area must display an EDS 2026 badge at all times. Please refer to the EDS Badge Policy for more information.


Join us for the next ERA LIVE on Tuesday, May 12 at 4:00 p.m. ET where we will dive deep into the new rules of Google and AI search and visibility! Experts from G&G Creative NYC will break down how modern SEO, intentional content and site design work together to fuel your digital marketing engine.

What we’ll cover: why original expertise is the new SEO gold mine; how to attract the right audience, not just a bigger one; turning site structure and messaging into a lead-generation machine. Join us to learn exactly what you need to change to start seeing real results.

See you there! More info & log-in details.


ERA is pleased to announce the addition of Zenode, an AI-driven component search platform, to its list of Recognized Resource vendor partners.

Electronics sales representatives often spend hours manually cross-referencing customer bills of materials (BOMs) against their represented lines. This complex evaluation traditionally requires days of back-and-forth communication with engineers. Zenode’s Alts tool performs comprehensive part comparisons in approximately one minute per component, providing sourced documentation for immediate engineering review.

Read the full press release. Visit zenode.ai.


CHAPTER EVENTS & NEWS

 

Posted in: Press Releases

Leave a Comment (0) →

> ERA Welcomes Zenode as New Recognized Resource Partner

ERA PRESS RELEASE
May 1, 2026
Contact: Clare Kluck / Communications Director / ckluck@era.org

View/download in PDF version


ERA Welcomes Zenode as New Recognized Resource Partner


The Electronics Representatives Association (ERA) is pleased to announce the addition of Zenode, an AI-driven component search platform, to its list of Recognized Resource vendor partners.

In an industry where speed is critical, electronics sales representatives often spend hours manually cross-referencing customer bills of materials (BOMs) against their represented lines. This complex evaluation—which involves comparing technical specifications, pinouts, footprints and functional differences—traditionally requires days of back-and-forth communication with engineers.

Zenode is set to transform this workflow with its upcoming Alts tool, debuting on May 5. The tool performs comprehensive part comparisons in approximately one minute per component, providing sourced documentation for immediate engineering review.

“We are thrilled to be the newest ERA Recognized Resource and trusted vendor to ERA members,” said Brandon Bourn, CEO of Zenode. “We’re confident our AI-driven tools can give reps the answers they need on parts quickly and accurately. Our tools don’t replace the rep’s relationships or judgment, it gives them a faster, more accurate way to show up with the answer.”

“We welcome Zenode on board to our esteemed list of ERA vendor partners,” said Eddie Smith, ERA CEO. “Zenode offers a strong, AI-based components search platform that helps engineers and salespeople conduct comprehensive cross-reference evaluation in minutes instead of days. This is a significant value-add for our members.”

Visit zenode.ai for more information.


About ERA

The 91-year-old Electronics Representatives Association (ERA) is the international trade organization for professional field sales companies in the global electronics industries, manufacturers who go to market through representative firms and global distributors. It is the mission of ERA to support the professional field sales function through programs and activities that educate, inform and advocate for manufacturers’ representatives, the principals they represent and the distributors who are reps’ partners in local territories. For more information about ERA, visit era.org.

Posted in: Press Releases

Leave a Comment (0) →

> ERA Quick Connections – April 2026, Vol. 2

April 2026, Vol. 2


MONTHLY POS REPORTS

February 2026 POS activity far exceeded expectations, actually running ahead of January numbers by 3 percent and last February’s POS number by nearly 20 percent. February was the largest POS month since April of last year. February is generally a lower number due to the shortened month, however this activity was significantly above expectations.

Read full report.

 


INDUSTRY NEWS

> Finance and banking leaders from around the globe raise concerns with Anthropic’s new Mythos AI model. Read more.

> Being a leader is harder than ever. Here are 5 common pressure points for leaders and how to handle them. Read more.

> A 2024 study found that readers preferred content labeled as “human-generated” by 30 percent over content labeled as created by AI. Here are four ways your writing sounds “too AI” and how to fix it — read more.


INDUSTRY SURVEY RESULTS

The April 2026 ERA Electronic Components Industry Trend Survey is now closed.

View results from 2024-2026.


ERA NEWS

> The EDS Summit will be here in less than 4 weeks.

Download the EDS 2026 app for EDS info on the go — The app is available for both Android and iOS and has the complete public EDS schedule, the Matchmaking utility and more. To download, search “EDS 2026” in your phone’s app store.


New this year — EDS After Dark on Tuesday night from 9 p.m. – midnight in Perdana Gardens. This is a great opportunity to continue dinner conversations or meet up with colleagues after your evening events in an exclusive EDS space. Mark your calendars!


ERA’s SearchLink.ai has a fresh new look and powerful upgrades designed to streamline your workflow and bring more value to your daily sales operations. We’ve integrated several new tools to help you work smarter:

  • ERA GPT: Think ChatGPT, but specifically tailored for ERA members.
  • The Prompt Writer: A great prompt is the key to a great result.
  • Contract Analyzer: Review documents faster than ever.
  • Enhanced Search: Our Key Contacts search now features Export functionality, Relevance Score ratings and Find Email buttons directly on the results page.
  • Company Search: Now includes full export capabilities.

— Watch the New Tutorial Video

— Access SearchLink.ai and try it for yourself!


> The new ERA Career Center Hub is an online resource for companies, early-career professionals and students exploring the world of manufacturers’ reps and the electronics components sales industry. You’ll find internship information; recruiting tips: where to find new hires; resources to understand the landscape (for early-career folks and students, what does a manufacturers’ rep do?) a job board…and more! We’ll be updating and adding new content regularly.

Visit the Career Center Hub!

 


CHAPTER EVENTS & NEWS

Indiana-Kentucky ERA — Day at the Track — Thurs., May 14

New England ERA — Young Professionals Networking Event — Thurs., May 28

Northern California ERA — 3rd Annual Golf Event Benefiting Special Olympics — Wed., June 10

Minnesota ERA — Networking Event feat. Speakers Dave Doherty & Eddie Smith — Wed., June 17

Metro NY ERA — Steve Alford Memorial Golf Outing – Mon., June 22

Chicagoland-Wisconsin ERA — Summerfest Outing — Thurs., June 25

Pacific-Northwest ERA — Save the Date: Golf Tournament – Fri., Aug. 21


ERA Bulletin Board website widgetEmail Update_Join ERA TODAY widgetEmail update_Calendar widget

Posted in: Press Releases

Leave a Comment (0) →

> ERA Announces the Recipients of the 2026 Mark Motsinger White Pin Internships

ERA PRESS RELEASE
April 1, 2026
Contact: Clare Kluck / Communications Director / ckluck@era.org


ERA Announces the Recipients of the 2026 Mark Motsinger White Pin Internships

ERA announces six internships for the summer of 2026



The ERA White Pin group is proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 Mark Motsinger White Pin Internships:

  • Maya Gabbi, Chapman University — Ion Associates (Texas)
  • Olivia Burchstead, University of Kansas — Cover 2 Sales (Maryland)
  • Taedra Tsecaris, University of Connecticut — John E. Boeing Co. (New Hampshire)
  • Mary Coakley, University of Massachusetts at Amherst — Coakley Boyd & Abbett (Massachusetts)
  • Erik Timbo, University of St. Thomas — Cain-Forlaw Co. (Illinois)
  • Gabrielle Tully, Milwaukee School of Engineering — Brainard-Nielsen Marketing (Illinois)

This is the fifth year that the ERA White Pin Group and ERA National have partnered to award internships to manufacturers’ representative firms in various regions of North America to help hire and onboard college students as interns during the summer or academic year.

“We are excited to welcome this cohort of summer 2026 interns and congratulate the rep firm recipients,” said Kingsland Coombs, CPMR, CSP, senior vice president at large for the ERA Executive Committee and chair of the White Pin Group. “These interns will bring a wealth of new ideas and raw potential that will spark innovation within our rep firms. I look forward to seeing the growth and valuable insights that will come from this collaboration.”

“We are thrilled to be awarding six internships for the summer of 2026,” stated Lori Bruno, CPMR, senior vice president of education for the ERA Executive Committee. “It’s rewarding to see our mission of advocating for the manufacturers’ representative role and cultivating young talent come to life. We look forward to building on this momentum and becoming even stronger!”

ERA launched the Mark Motsinger White Pin Internship program in 2022 as a way to help the rep community introduce the rep model to college students and attract, hire and retain young people to keep the electronics industry fresh and relevant. The program allows rising college juniors or seniors to work for a manufacturers’ representative firm over the summer months to gain a better understanding and hands-on experience of the electronic components industry.

The internship program was named after Mark Motsinger, president of Wallace Electronic Sales, who served as executive director of the ERA White Pin group for more than 16 years. Motsinger helped to define the educational role of the White Pin group and helped promote the hiring and onboarding of new college graduates into our industry.

Please join ERA in congratulating all the rep companies and interns!

Read more information about the ERA Mark Motsinger White Pin Internship program.


About ERA
The 91-year-old Electronics Representatives Association (ERA) is the international trade organization for professional field sales companies in the global electronics industries, manufacturers who go to market through representative firms and global distributors. It is the mission of ERA to support the professional field sales function through programs and activities that educate, inform and advocate for manufacturers’ representatives, the principals they represent and the distributors who are reps’ partners in local territories. For more information about ERA, visit era.org.

Posted in: Press Releases

Leave a Comment (0) →

> ERA Grants Life Member Recognition to Five Members

In February 2026 at the national ERA Conference, ERA awarded Life Membership recognition to Carol Cohen (Indiana-Kentucky), George DeVoe (Indiana-Kentucky), John Latimer (Northern California), Mark Conley (Northern California) and Clark Moulthrop (Northern California).

ERA congratulates these five individuals on their Life Member status and recognizes the extraordinary time, talent and effort they have dedicated to ERA and the manufacturers’ rep function within the electronics industry.

ERA Life Members are individuals who have been employed by or associated with one or more firms as members in good standing of the association (regular, at-large or international) during a 20-year period, and are nominated by fellow chapter members at biannual ERA Board meetings.

View a complete list of all Life Members.

Posted in: Press Releases

Leave a Comment (0) →

> Tobi Cornell, CPMR, is Named Senior Vice President of Membership on ERA’s Executive Committee

ERA PRESS RELEASE
March 24, 2025
Contact: Clare Kluck / Communications Director / ckluck@era.org


The Electronics Representatives Association (ERA) announces that Tobi Cornell, CPMR, President of Kruvand Associates, has joined the ERA Executive Committee as the Senior Vice President of Membership.

“ERA is very pleased to have Tobi Cornell join the Executive Committee as the new Senior Vice President of Membership,” said John O’Brien, CPMR, Chairman of the Board. “As president of a large and successful rep firm in Texas, and with many years of experience volunteering in this industry — including leading one of our main chapters — we know Tobi will champion the manufacturers’ rep function and work to foster the continued success of ERA membership during her tenure.”

Tobi Cornell graduated from Texas Christian University in 1994 with BBA, and entered the electronics industry that same year working for manufacturers’ rep firm, DJ Sales (Dallas, TX). Tobi worked in inside sales covering the Houston market for 2 ½ years, and then moved into outside sales in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area for DJ Sales. In 1998, manufacturers’ rep firm Kruvand Associates acquired DJ Sales, and Tobi took on the distribution manager role, in addition to account responsibility. She continued to work in that capacity for 17 years, and was named vice president of distribution in 2015. Tobi continued fostering and growing close relationships with Kruvand’s manufacturers, channel partners and customers in her market, and was honored to be named president of Kruvand in 2023. Tobi also currently serves as president of ERA’s Southwest chapter.

“I’m honored to join the ERA Executive Committee and excited to strengthen the membership sector of ERA,” said Cornell. “ERA provides a unique, indispensable value to its members, and I look forward to amplifying that message and spearheading initiatives that drive our collective, long-term success.”

The updated list of officers on the Executive Committee are:

Chairman of the Board – John O’Brien, CPMR
President – Tom Griffin, CPMR
Sr. Vice President Fiscal & Legal – John Hutson, CPMR
Sr. Vice President Industry – Ellen Coan, CPMR
Sr. Vice President Education – Lori Bruno, CPMR
Sr. Vice President Membership — Tobi Cornell, CPMR
Sr. Vice President at Large – Kingsland Coombs, CPMR
Sr. Vice President Manufacturers – John Guetens
Sr. Vice President Distributors – Lou Copley
Sr. Vice President at Large — Ken Bellero
Chief Executive Officer — Ed Smith

About ERA

The 91-year-old Electronics Representatives Association (ERA) is the international trade organization for professional field sales companies in the global electronics industries, manufacturers who go to market through representative firms and global distributors. It is the mission of ERA to support the professional field sales function through programs and activities that educate, inform and advocate for manufacturers’ representatives, the principals they represent and the distributors wh

Posted in: Press Releases

Leave a Comment (0) →
Page 1 of 14 12345...»