2026 RECIPIENT
RECOGNIZING
THE PEOPLE
KEEPING EARTH
MOVING
The biggest breakthroughs do not always make headlines. They happen down here, where leaders solve hard problems, create measurable impact, and keep businesses moving forward.
RECOGNIZING
THE PEOPLE
KEEPING EARTH
MOVING
Up There:
Everyone keeps talking about what’s happening up there: Mars missions, reusable rockets, space tourism, satellite constellations, and plans for lunar colonies.
INCREDIBLE WORK. PLENTY OF HEADLINES.
DOWN HERE:
ALSO INCREDIBLE. SLIGHTLY FEWER HEADLINES.
We wanted to recognize the people doing remarkable things down here: in warehouses, trucks, ports, factories, hospitals, and distribution networks.
DOWN HERE X WINNING QUALITIES
WE DECIDED TO FIX THAT
SpendBrain is trained on decades of human negotiation, vendor insight, and operational experience. Together, we co-build precise AI tuned to the realities of your business, not generic benchmarks.
01
MEASURABLE
IMPACT
Creates meaningful, measurable change. Their work improves the numbers that matter and leaves the business stronger than they found it.
DOWN HERE X WINNING QUALITIES
02
RESOURCEFUL LEADERSHIP
Achieves outsized results with the resources at hand. They navigate constraints, rally people and find a way forward when the obvious path is not available.
03
PRACTICAL INNOVATION
Turns new ideas and technology into real business value. They make innovation useful, scalable, and relevant to the problems businesses face every day.
2026 DOWN HERE X AWARD RECIPIENTS
MIKE DOUGHTY
CHIEF PROCUREMENT OFFICER
Pye-Barker Fire & Safety LLC
PAUL STRAUB
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Fox Rothschild LLP
RYAN PERRY
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Meridian Waste
ROBBIE WILLIAMS
VICE PRESIDENT / FACILITIES MANAGEMENT
Public Storage
AXEL LUNDSTROM
VICE PRESIDENT, INDIRECT PROCUREMENT
Danone
THOMAS KEENAN
CONTROLLER
Creative Planning, Inc.
JULIEN CHEMALI
CFO
Fortis Solutions Group
RONALD DEAN
PRESIDENT & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
South Georgia Medical Center
MARK NIX
PRESIDENT & CEO
Infirmary Health System, Inc.
TYLER HALL
VP/CONTROLLER
Variety Wholesalers, Inc.
CHRIS DISABATINO
PRESIDENT
DiSabatino Inc.
MARIA GOMELSKY
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
The Dinerstein Companies
TREVOR LIDDLE
VICE PRESIDENT OF FINANCE AND OPERATIONS/CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Lake Superior State University
CLAY SPRIET
CFO
Mission Health Communities
KRISTOPHER NELSON
VP, FINANCE
NVISION Eye Centers
ALAN TABASKY
CHIEF SUPPLY CHAIN OFFICER
SnugZ USA
ERNIE VIDAL
SR. MANAGER STRATEGIC SOURCING & PROCUREMENT
AutoNation
CRAIG BERNSTEIN
PRESIDENT
Doc B's Fresh Kitchen
WILL CONROY
OFFERINGS VICE PRESIDENT, STRATEGY
Cardinal Group
MIKE WOLKERSTORFER
SR. VP OF OPERATIONS
Camping World Holdings, Inc.
2026 DOWN HERE X AWARD RECIPIENTS
WHY "DOWN HERE?"
Humanity should keep reaching higher. Someone still has to make sure everything works down here.
The Down Here Awards celebrate the operators, builders, problem-solvers, and leaders whose work keeps businesses moving and everyday life functioning.
Some achievements launch into orbit. Others arrive at a loading dock at 6:17 tomorrow morning. Both require extraordinary people.
WE CREATED THIS AWARD FOR THE SECOND GROUP.
YOU EARNED SOMETHING GOOD DOWN HERE
We partnered with companies we admire to curate a few things worth enjoying here on Earth. Each company knows something about craft, consistency, operations, and delivering something people genuinely want. Choose one. It is on us.
A BOTTLE WORTH STAYING ON EARTH
A curated wine selection from Delicato. For the end of a long week spent solving problems that nobody outside logistics knew existed.
DELICATO WINES
FOR TOMORROW MORNING
La Colombe's Bestsellers Gift Box brings together three of its most popular bag. Because keeping the world moving usually starts before everyone else wakes up.
LA COLOMBE
CHICAGO HAS ENTERED THE CHAT
Legendary Chicago deep dish delivered to your door. No optimization strategy required. Heat it. Eat it. Enjoy it.
LOU MALNATI'S
No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Open to eligible business leaders and professionals selected through program research. Award and gift fulfillment are subject to recipient eligibility and confirmation of recipient information with our team by phone. One gift per recipient. Wine gifts require confirmation of legal drinking age and an eligible shipping address; alcohol shipping restrictions may apply. Allow 2–3 weeks for delivery following confirmation.
2026 RECIPIENT
ERIC HANSEN
AVP OF BUSINESS OPERATIONS
San Diego State University
MATT LEAVY
MANAGER, UTILITIES, ENGINEERING
UC Berkeley
KRYSTAL CONLEY
DIRECTOR, STRATEGIC SOURCING
CSC ServiceWorks
CARLOS OLIVA
SENIOR VP, ACCOUNTING & FINANCIAL REPORTING
CSC ServiceWorks
RONALD DEAN
PRESIDENT & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
South Georgia Medical Center
DAVE RIKE
VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS
Distranet
ROBERT LAY
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER & EXECUTIVE VP, ADJACENT BUSINESSES
Selene Finance LP
ERIC HANSEN
AVP OF BUSINESS OPERATIONS
San Diego State University
MATT GUDORF
ASSISTANT VICE CHANCELLOR, FACILITIES MANAGEMENT
University of California, Irvine
AUBREY MARTIN
DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS ADMINSTRATION
UC San Diego Health
TONY PHILLIPS
DIRECTOR, DISTRIBUTION ENGINEERING
Princess House
ELENA POPESCU
ADMINISTRATIVE ANALYST II
County of San Diego
BRUCE CHAMBERLAIN
CAMPUS ENERGY MANAGER
UC Berkeley
KARI ZOETEWEY
SR ANALYST, NETWORK COST
Inteliquent
COLLEEN FITZSIMMONS
PROJECT MANAGER
County of San Diego
MEREDITH WRIGHT
PRESIDENT
Mission Rock Residential
JULIAN DAVIS
HEAD OF SUPPLY CHAIN
Service Corporation International (SCI)
JOSH HOULLDSWORTH
RVP
Newbury Management Company