Five Generations of Industrial Leadership
NetPlus Alliance is a multi-generational family business that started as a machine shop along the Erie Canal in Lockport, New York in 1885. Building relationships is at the heart of everything that we do, and NetPlus is committed to working with distributors and suppliers of all sizes. Our goal is to increase market share and profitability for long-term success and above-industry growth for all members.
1825 - Erie Canal, Lockport
Painting by WH Bartlett
The Erie Canal opened on October 26, 1825 and was comprised of 363 miles of linking waterways from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes.
1885 - William Nolan Company
William Nolan establishes the William Nolan Company, Machinists and Steam Fitters, in Lockport, NY, 1885.
1919 - Ward Brothers Mill Supply
William Nolan’s nephews, Sam Sr., Ben and Will Ward inherit the machine shop in 1919 and rename it Ward Brothers Mill Supply Company.
1931 – Original Stock Certificate
The Ward Brothers boldly incorporate the business at the height of the great depression in 1931 and produce sales of just over $100,000 selling mill supplies, piping products and machining services.
1959 – Ward Brothers Management
Generation three, Sam Ward Jr., and his cousins Bill and Jim Judge move into leadership roles at Ward Brothers Mill Supply Company.
1969 – Dan Judge joins Ward Brothers
Dan Judge joins the family business after earning a degree in Industrial Distribution from Clarkson University and completing his service in Vietnam as a lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Photo taken in Vietnam, Feb. 1, 1966 in a Bell H13 Helicopter.
1984 – Ward, Beals & McCarthy
Ward Brothers expands its reach and acquires the inventory and equipment of Buffalo distribution company, Beals, McCarthy and Rogers in 1972 and executes a formal name change to Ward, Beals & McCarthy in 1984.
1989 – Dan Judge, Fourth Generation President
Dan Judge is named the fourth-generation president of Ward Beals & McCarthy in 1989.
1993 – ID One
After the sale of Ward Beals & McCarthy, Dan Judge becomes the Executive Director of ID One, the first purchasing cooperative for industrial distributors.
2002 – NetPlus Founded
Based on decades of industry experience, Dan Judge forms NetPlus Alliance, a buying group for industrial and contractor supplies distributors.
2013 – Jennifer Murphy, Fifth Generation President
Jennifer Murphy becomes the fifth-generation President of NetPlus Alliance on September 1, 2013.
2016 - NetPlus Women in the Industry
NetPlus launches Women in the Industry reception at the Annual Meeting in 2016, and attendance grows every year.
2017 – NetPlus Celebrates Anniversary, New Office
NetPlus celebrates 190 years of history in industrial distribution and moves into historic new offices at 57 Canal Street in Lockport.
2017 – ISA American Eagle Award
Dan Judge receives John J. Buckley Lifetime Achievement Award on April 22, 2017 at the Industrial Supply Association Convention in Denver, Colorado.
2021 - Jennifer Murphy Takes Ownership of NetPlus Alliance
NetPlus Alliance Founder and Chairman Dan Judge transitioned the ownership to President Jennifer Murphy.
2022 - NetPlus Celebrates 20th Anniversary
We have grown tremendously since 2002 but our core purpose has remained the same: to help businesses succeed.
Meet The Team
The NetPlus team is focused on the growth and success of its members and works closely with our supplier partners to build strong relationships.
Jennifer Murphy
President & CEO
Grow together. The heart of everything that we do, is to bring our distributors and suppliers together for success and growth.
Dan Judge
Founder
Be honest and genuine. That’s always been the way I’ve lived, and it’s a hallmark of our group.
Paul Byrnes
Senior Vice President Member Development
Do the right things, right. It applies to both business and to life in general.
Zach Brado
Vice President of Development & Marketing
Embrace change. NetPlus embraces change as an organization and encourages our distributor and supplier members to do the same.
Todd Washburn
Vice President Business Development
Value relationships. Knowing the people behind the company makes a big difference.
Shirley Weiland
Assistant Vice President of Member Services
Be honest and genuine. I value meeting our members and helping them succeed and grow by staying true to who we are.
Jennifer McMillan
Senior Director of Human Resources & Operations
Grow together. I love working for a team that invests in each other’s development to ensure our collective success.
Kate Borth
Senior Director of Finance
Keep it rolling. I’m a forward-thinking person and like to have a plan that allows me to perform at the best of my ability.
Scott Hanson
Business Development Director
Be the best. It's not about being better than others, it's about being better than you were yesterday. A commitment to constant improvement.
Jillian Minderler
Creative Director
Grow together. I love working with a team that values collaboration. It maximizes our strengths and enriches our work.
Sebastian Habermehl
Marketing & Development Manager
Value relationships. When you celebrate and cherish your relationships with people, it makes delivering on the other values that much easier.
Caitlin Flynn
Events & Training Manager
Keep it rolling. I always try to keep a positive mindset, embrace the journey and celebrate the wins!
Tori Dalio
Accounting Manager
Keep It rolling. I love the reminder that our mistakes do not hold us back, they challenge us to learn, improve, and keep rolling.
Joan McDonough
Social Media & Communications Manager
Be nimble. You need a plan you're confident about, but it's even more critical to know you can adapt quickly with strategy at the forefront.
Karl Tschaepe
IT/Finance Administrator
Be accountable for results. If you take responsibility for results, then people know who to go to for their needs.
NetPlus Alliance Values
Value Relationships
We love connecting with people and building relationships across a wide range of industries.
Be Accountable for Results
We push each other to achieve the best results possible in every area of our business.
Grow Together
We believe that when we work together, we grow together.
Embrace Change
We do not fear change! We welcome it and expect it to make us stronger.
Be Nimble
We move quickly to implement new strategies and adapt to changing economies.
Keep it Rolling
We know that success is ahead of us, not behind.
Be Honest & Genuine
Our word is our bond. We always strive to be authentic and trustworthy.
Provide Guidance
We deliver support and resources to help our members achieve long-term success.
Be the Best
We aim for excellence in all that we do.
Do the Right Things, Right!
We make decisions with our members’ best interests at heart.
