Session Type:
Convention, Education
Location
Pennsylvania Convention Center
Room Number: 121C
Available Dates & Times
Description
Effective strategic planning combines leadership, insight and vision with tactical execution and benchmarks to ensure your business moves forward in the desired direction. This session will provide valuable experience based insights from industry experts, round-table discussions and templates you can use to develop and implement a strategic plan for your company.
Speaker
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Kathy Jo Van
Van grew up in the electrical industry, working after school in her family’s electrical distributor business in Owensboro, Kentucky. After graduating from The University of Notre Dame and earning her graduate degree at Northwestern University’s Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Van moved back to Kentucky to re-join her family’s business. In 1993 she returned to Chicago, to join a large regional electrical distributor that was eventually acquired by WESCO Distribution and she served a variety of roles with WESCO. In 2000, Van joined Coleman Cable, where she led a variety of businesses, as well as strategic acquisitions. When Southwire acquired Coleman Cable in 2014, Van joined the Southwire senior leadership team where she served on the integration team, Sr VP of cord and electronic products, and Sr VP of Contractor Solutions. In July 2017, Van retired from Southwire to enjoy life in Chicago with her husband Ron, 3 children, a grand-daughter, and puppy Addison (their latest addition to the family). Van volunteers as a Board member of the American Marketing Association – Chicago Chapter and is leading the development of the AMA Mentorship program. She also provides coaching and mentoring in the electrical industry as a way of giving back to an industry that has meant so much to her and her family.
