Hardware Retailing The Industry's Source for Insights and Information
ABC Supply has announced that Joe Small, Midwest region vice president, will retire at the end of the year following a career spanning nearly 40 years in the building materials industry. Brad Messer has been appointed Midwest region vice president and will assume the role on Jan. 1, 2027.
Following ABC Supply’s acquisition of Bradco Supply in 2010, Small successfully led several districts before earning a promotion to Midwest region vice president in 2020. In this role, Small helped take the Midwest region to record sales levels while continuing a career defined by operational excellence, associate development and customer success.
“Joe’s impact on ABC Supply is greater than sales growth and operational achievements,” says Mike Jost, president and chief operating officer at ABC Supply. “Over the course of his career, Joe has always led with humility, integrity and a genuine desire to help others succeed. We are grateful for his contributions and wish him the best in retirement.”
Reflecting on his career, Small expressed appreciation for the opportunities and relationships that shaped his journey.
“I’ve been fortunate to spend my career working with exceptional teams and serving many great customers,” says Small. “Looking back, what stands out most are the relationships, lessons learned and opportunities to help others reach their goals. It’s been rewarding to be part of an organization that values people, provides opportunities and is committed to doing the right thing. I’m grateful for every associate, customer and friend who has been part of my journey.”
Brad Messer will assume the role of Midwest region vice president, supporting associates and customers across the territory. His career with ABC Supply began in 2005 in sales at the company’s La Salle, Illinois location. He went on to serve as branch manager and managing partner in Muskegon, Michigan, before leading branches in Grand Rapids and Indianapolis. In 2019, Messer was promoted to district manager of the South Central District, where he earned District Manager of the Year honors in 2023 and has most recently served as director of sales transformation at the company’s National Support Center in Beloit, Wisconsin, leading the implementation of ABC Supply’s new CRM platform.
“I’ve spent my entire career in the Midwest and have been fortunate to learn from great mentors and work alongside incredible people,” says Messer. “This region, our people and our customers mean a lot to me. I’m excited to lead this team, build on what we’ve accomplished and continue helping our customers succeed.”
