HIRA - Health Industry Representatives Association

Where Expertise Meets Opportunity

2026 HIRA Conference & Sales Forum

SPEAKERS

Scott Becker

Scott is the founder, publisher, and Chief Content Officer of Becker’s Healthcare, a leading media platform he established in 1992 to provide business and legal intelligence for the healthcare industry. Under his leadership, the organization has grown to include Becker's Hospital Review and a suite of high-profile industry conferences. As of 2026, he remains a dominant voice in professional media as the host of the Becker’s Healthcare Podcast and the Becker Private Equity & Business Podcast, where he frequently interviews global leaders ranging from U.S. Presidents to Fortune 500 CEOs.

Mike Abbott

Mike is the Executive Vice President of Vendor Relations at CME Corp. (CME), Mike has been involved in the healthcare industry since 1972, and has been focused on developing product and supplier strategies for decades. As CME’s leader in managing and negotiating supplier programs, Mike nurtures positive relationships with all existing and potential vendors. Mike leads CME in efforts that enhance the company's value to the vendor community. With more than 2,000 manufacturers offering products through CME, Mike truly knows what options are available in our marketplace.

Adam Glazer

Adam is a Partner at the law firm of SFBBG here in Chicago. He often referred to as "The Go-To Lawyer for Sales Reps". He is an experienced trial lawyer who regularly appears in courts and arbitration panels across the country, Adam’s practice focuses on commercial litigation, including contract disputes, fraud and fiduciary duty actions, asset recovery, and business law.

Adam also maintains a specialized practice representing independent sales representatives nationwide. SFBBG is one of a handful of firms nationally with a substantial practice devoted to protecting the interests of independent sales representatives, and Adam helps lead those efforts. He dedicates a significant part of his practice to recovering unpaid or underpaid commissions and otherwise addressing legal issues of reps. In jurisdictions nationwide, Adam has successfully recovered millions of dollars in commissions.

When not in court, Adam writes articles in several trade publications, serves as an adjunct professor at Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, where he has taught courses in trial advocacy, and business litigation and presently teaches civil discovery practice, serves on the Joint Plan Commission for his and a neighboring suburb, and takes in as many Cubs games as his schedule permits.

ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION LEADERS

Erin Lu

Erin Lu is the Founder, President, and CEO of EKLA Corporation, a prominent medical device manufacturer and distributor headquartered in Naperville, Illinois. Since establishing the company in January 1995, Lu has spearheaded its growth into a critical supplier within the North American healthcare landscape, serving more than 2,500 Integrated Delivery Networks (IDNs) and medical facilities across all 50 U.S. states. Under her leadership, the company operates from a 16,000-square-foot facility and maintains a diverse product portfolio that includes digital thermometers, rapid test kits, and DVT prevention systems, all aimed at enhancing patient safety and reducing the total cost of care.

Beyond her operational achievements, Lu has successfully secured key industry certifications, positioning EKLA as an SBA-certified Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB) and a minority/woman-owned business enterprise (MBE/WBE) certified by Cook County. Her strategic approach to business is underpinned by a strong academic foundation, having earned a Master of Business Administration in Accounting and Finance from the University of Rochester’s William E. Simon Graduate School of Business Administration in 1990. With over 31 years of experience as of 2026, she remains a dedicated leader focused on driving innovation and accuracy within the healthcare supply chain.

Frank Prendergast

Frank is the Vice President of Distributor Relations at VCS Medical, where he leverages nearly 40 years of experience to lead supplier management and commercial go-to-market strategies. A veteran of the medical distribution industry, he is best known for his 26-year tenure at Henry Schein, where he served as the Director of Capital Equipment Sales and was instrumental in scaling the company’s equipment and diagnostic divisions. In addition to his leadership at VCS Medical, Frank is the Founder and Principal of Health Match Solutions, a consultancy providing strategic advisory services for medical manufacturers and distributors. Throughout his career, which includes a successful tenure as a partner at Staten Island Surgical, Frank has established a reputation for building high-performance teams and navigating complex mergers and acquisitions within the healthcare sector.

Angie Euston

Angie is a seasoned leader in the healthcare distribution industry, currently serving as the Director of Member Relations at IMCO Inc. With a tenure at the organization spanning nearly 25 years since May 2001, she plays a critical role in fostering strategic partnerships and supporting the growth of independent medical-surgical distributors. Her extensive background includes previous experience as a sales representative for Welch Allyn and a degree from the University of Florida. Known for her expertise in member engagement, marketing strategy, and product launches, Angie remains a key figure in ensuring the cooperative's network has the tools and consistent messaging needed to thrive in diverse medical markets.

Angela Geschrey

Angela is the Education Quality Coordinator at Rush University Medical Center, where she has spent over 27 years advancing nursing excellence and clinical leadership. Since assuming her current role in November 2018, she has focused on maintaining high standards of care and fostering professional development through robust educational initiatives. Her extensive leadership at Rush includes serving as the President of the Professional Nursing Staff (2016–2017), Magnet Coordinator, and Co-chair of Nursing Standards of Practice. A dedicated clinical expert, she holds a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in Nursing Administration from Chamberlain College of Nursing and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Rush University. Beyond her administrative duties, Angela is a recognized contributor to the nursing field, having presented research on shared governance at the national Magnet Conference and being board-certified as a Nurse Executive (NE-BC) and Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse (CMSRN).

David Stone

David is a Partner at Excelerant Consulting, where he leverages more than 30 years of experience in the US healthcare industry to guide medical device suppliers through the complexities of market access and growth. He has a proven, multi-disciplined background in sales, sales management, national accounts and national accounts team management. His areas of expertise include clinical laboratory diagnostics, remote patient monitoring, surgical device, advanced wound care, medical disposables and clinical nutrition.

David has spent more than three decades creating and cultivating key relationships within the U.S. healthcare industry, including Group Purchasing Organizations, Integrated Delivery Networks and Regional Purchasing Coalitions. He facilitates executive-level introductions and provides assistance with value proposition design, market development, product launch, sales strategy, strategic account segmentation, field sales optimization, offer development and contract negotiations.

Most recently, David has worked at Coloplast, Mölnlycke and Medtronic. His primary focus will be to use his wide-ranging background to help Excelerant clients experience meaningful growth and margin enhancement.

Mark Litton

Mark is the CEO of Howard Medical, a medical distributor focused on helping hospitals and healthcare providers reduce costs and overcome backorders. He chairs the Independent Link Coalition, a national AHRMM initiative dedicated to supporting supply chain leaders at independent, critical access, and rural hospitals. Mark also serves as Vice President of the Chicago Chapter of AHRMM and as a Board Member of the Wisconsin Chapter. He is passionate about building meaningful relationships and delivering supply chain solutions that strengthen community-based healthcare.