AD Bearings & Power Transmission Division announces 2 new board members
AD welcomes Chris Hughes, president of Transmission & Fluid Equipment Inc. (TFE), and Brad Fitzgerald, general manager of Binkelman Corp., to the AD Bearings & Power Transmission (BPT) Divisional Board, effective August 2026.
Hughes and Fitzgerald are the newest member-owner representatives to be nominated and elected to join the progressive AD BPT Division Board. Both candidates bring a wealth of industry and leadership experience to help advance the division’s continued growth and strategic priorities.
Transmission & Fluid Equipment (TFE), headquartered in Fort Wayne, Indiana, is a leading distributor of bearings, power transmission, fluid power, automation, and industrial products. The company has been a respected independent distributor in the industry for decades and is widely recognized for its commitment to customer service and technical expertise. Hughes has spent his career helping guide the growth and success of TFE and has served in numerous leadership roles throughout the Bearings & Power Transmission industry, including serving as chairman of IDC-USA prior to its merger with AD.
Binkelman Corp., headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, is a leading supplier of industrial motion, fluid power, conveyor, belting, and automation solutions. Since joining the company in 1994, Fitzgerald has held positions across operations, purchasing, information technology, and management, helping drive the company's continued growth and evolution. His broad industry experience and leadership have made him a respected voice among distributors and supplier partners alike.
"Chris and Brad are highly respected leaders who have each dedicated their careers to helping independent distributors succeed," said Darin Davenport, president the division. "They bring different experiences, perspectives, and strengths to the Board, but share a common commitment to servant leadership, strategic thinking, and industry engagement. We are grateful for their willingness to serve and excited about the contributions they will make over the next three years."
The two succeed two outgoing board members, Frank Stangl, president of Weimer Bearing & Transmission, and Geoff Filker, principal of Eastern Industrial Automation. AD extends its sincere appreciation to them for their years of service, leadership, and contributions to the division.
Justin Phelps, chair of the AD Bearings & Power Transmission Division Board, said Hughes and Fitzgerald "are proven leaders who understand the importance of collaboration, the value that the AD community delivers to their supplier partners and are committed to independent distribution. Their experience, insight, and commitment to the industry will be valuable additions to our board as we continue advancing the strategic goals of the division."
The division's board is now comprised of:
- Justin Phelps, owner/president, Power Drive Systems, Inc.
- Mark Balcom, president and owner, Pooley Inc.
- Chris DuComb, president, W.C. DuComb Company, Inc.
- Jeremiah Johnson, vice president, corporate operations, Purvis Industries, Ltd.
- Brian Kolman president, Brewer Machine & Gear Company
- Rob LaRue president, Baldwin Supply Company
- Ryan Watts, president Apex Industrial Automation LLC
INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY MAGAZINE
The July/August issue of Industrial Supply magazine features an in-depth cover story about Global Industrial. Plus, we're featuring articles by contributing writers Dr. Bharani Nagarathnam and Frank Hurtte, as well as interviews with numerous product and distribution industry experts.
