The Security Hardware Distributors Association (SHDA) announced the winner of the annual Al Hoffman Memorial Scholarship. This year’s winner is Holly Blankenship, who serves as the marketing manager for IDN Acme’s Dallas location. The award will cover the registration costs to attend the four-day University of Innovative Distribution (UID) program presented by the Association Education Alliance in cooperation with Purdue University.
“I believe the courses at UID will be beneficial to finding more creative and streamlined ways to market and sell to our customers while also enabling our employees to be more efficient and productive,” Blankenship says. “As the marketing manager, it is my responsibility to be our sales team’s cheerleader. Learning new leadership skills at UID would not only benefit myself but my team.”
Blankenship started in the security hardware industry in 2017 as an intern with IDN Acme while working on a bachelor of art in business administration from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Temple, Texas. She joined IDN Acme full time after graduation and has worked in the Dallas and Denver offices.
“She has always shown a strong interest and curiosity about all parts of the distribution business and provides valuable ideas and insights on a daily basis,” says IDN Acme Managing Director Scott Reed. “The curriculum offered at UID is the perfect and logical next stop in her journey.”
The scholarship is named in honor of SHDA Past President and Founder Al Hoffman, a leading figure in the security hardware industry and strong advocate for education. To recognize his contributions, SHDA created the scholarship to underwrite UID tuition to allow an SHDA distributor member to participate in this annual program.
This year’s UID will be held on March 21–24, 2022 at the JW Marriott in Indianapolis. It’s the only conference focused on the unique needs of the wholesale distribution industry. At the conclusion of the program, participants are issued credits that can be applied toward a certificate of innovative distribution offered by Purdue. Visit www.univid.org to learn more about the program.
