Go-to-market
10 independent manufacturers' reps
These ten professionals have owned and led independent manufacturers' representative agencies, firms that sell on commission for several manufacturers in a territory. A reader can learn how independent manufacturers' reps run their rep agencies from people who have held the role.
Professionals to explore
01—10Chuck Hofius
LinkedInExperience: President Founder Owner · CHAS Group Manufacturers Representative
President, founder and owner of CHAS Group Manufacturers Representative since 1992; the profile describes it as a manufacturer's representative company in microwave products. Earlier he was VP Field Sales at M/A-COM, INC. (1981–1992) and Owner and Sales Engineer at Delesa Sales (1975–1981).
Jeff Bohlman
LinkedInExperience: Owner · Bohlman & Associates LLC
Owner of Bohlman & Associates LLC since 2004, which the profile describes as a manufacturers' representative agency in the industrial and contractor supplies market, representing manufacturers of machine tool accessories, MRO products, power tools and safety products. Earlier he worked in banking and trading at Bank One and Fidelity Investments.
Kenny Nobis
LinkedInExperience: Owner, President · Nobis Industrial Sales
Owner and President of Nobis Industrial Sales since 2009, based in the Columbus, Ohio area. The profile describes the firm as an independent manufacturer's representative agency founded in 2009 that works with original equipment manufacturers, power transmission and automation distributors, and system integrators.
Kimberlee Gastineau
LinkedInExperience: Co-Owner, Independent Manufacturer's Representative · CG Sales & Marketing, LLC
Co-Owner of CG Sales & Marketing, LLC since 2017; the profile describes her as co-owner and vice president of an independent manufacturer's representative agency serving over 20 accounts across Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa, Idaho and Minnesota. She has also been an independent manufacturer's representative with Conard Roell & Associates since 2008, after working as an associate attorney.
Larry Kaufmann
LinkedInExperience: President Owner · RepExact, LLC
President and Owner of RepExact, LLC since 2007; the profile describes a nationwide specialty manufacturers' representative agency that also provides marketing services for the North American medical device and life sciences markets. Earlier he was VP Sales and Marketing at LUKAS Industrial (2004–2006) and Director of Marketing and Sales at Suhner Industrial Products (2003–2004).
Mark Hattan
LinkedInExperience: President · Kavanagh & Associates, Inc.
President of Kavanagh & Associates, Inc. in Nashville since 1991; the profile describes him as owner of a manufacturer's rep agency selling custom engineered components to OEMs and distributors in automotive, medical, appliance, lawn and garden, housewares and furniture, with specialties such as rubber components.
Mark P. Gibson
LinkedInExperience: Principal Owner · The Agency : Sales Thru Solutions
Principal Owner of The Agency : Sales Thru Solutions since 2019, a rep agency the profile says he opened that year. Before that he was Principal Owner of Agents Midwest Ltd. (1990–2019) and earlier a Branch Manager at Westinghouse Electric Supply (1981–1990).
Miles Ottinger
LinkedInExperience: Owner · M.W. Ottinger Sales
Owner of M.W. Ottinger Sales since 1984; the profile describes it as an established multi-agent manufacturer's rep organization in the Minneapolis and St. Paul area that has represented companies selling products to original equipment manufacturers, distributors and fabricators since it was formed in 1984.
Nate Wolfe
LinkedInExperience: President of Sales, Principal · Manufacturers Marketing
President of Sales and Principal at Manufacturers Marketing since 2025; the profile says he is an owner of the firm, an independent manufacturers representative covering Indiana, Michigan, Kentucky and Southern Illinois. He has worked there since 2016, as Vice President of Sales (2022–2024), outside sales and inside sales, and says he has been in the plumbing industry since 2008.
Walt Brooks
LinkedInExperience: CEO/Owner of the Agency · W.C. Brooks Company, Inc.
CEO and Owner of W.C. Brooks Company, Inc. since 1990; the profile describes it as an independent manufacturer's representative firm specializing in power transmission and electrical components, with five outside and seven inside salespeople. He has also been President of PTRA, the Power-Motion Technology Representatives Association, since 2018.
Choose the right perspective
Match the agency's market to yours, since reps in electrical and lighting, power transmission, industrial supplies, electronics and medical devices sell to different buyers through different channels. Also consider territory and agency size: a multi-person agency covering several states works differently from a small specialty firm.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How do you decide whether to take on a new manufacturer's product line?
- 02What commission rates and contract terms are typical, and how are they negotiated?
- 03What does a manufacturer do that makes a rep agency push its line harder?
Reaching independent manufacturers' reps
How can I contact one of these independent manufacturers' reps?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 10 companies, including CHAS Group Manufacturers Representative, Bohlman & Associates LLC and Nobis Industrial Sales, based on profile data retrieved on October 9, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach independent manufacturers' reps?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. It includes Instant Expert's 20% fee, so an offer that pays the person $100 costs you $125. You're charged only when the person books the call or sends the answer.
What if they don't reply?
You pay nothing. Instant Expert sends follow-up reminders, and if the person hasn't booked or answered within 7 days, the request expires and any hold on your card is released. You can invite several of the 10 people on this list at once and cap your total spend, so you pay only for the ones who accept.
Can an AI agent ask one of these independent manufacturers' reps a question?
Yes. An agent with a USDC wallet on Base can ask one question without an Instant Expert account. It names the person, for example by the LinkedIn URL on this page, and pays per ask over x402 (HTTP 402). The person answers in writing or by voice note, and if nobody answers within 7 days, the payment goes back to the wallet automatically. x402 docs
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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