In this episode, Host Lindsay Young talks with Mike DeCata, former President and CEO of Lawson Products, a distributor of maintenance and repair supplies to the industrial, commercial, and institutional markets. Mike candidly shares his role in Lawson’s turnaround, taking a struggling company and steering it toward profitable, sustainable growth through disciplined process improvements, cultural change, and a commitment to service.
With decades of experience across distribution and manufacturing – including time at Grainger, General Electric, and United Rentals – Mike reflects on the core principles that guided his leadership over his entire career: humility, trust-building, and a willingness to face tough realities. He also discusses the importance of knowledge sharing across teams, his active role in the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW), and the legacy he hopes to leave behind.
Whether you’re leading a transformation or just starting out in your journey, this conversation offers insights into what it takes to drive meaningful change.

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