SPEAKERS
Andy Hietschold is a distribution operations leader and process improvement expert with more than two decades of experience across beverage distribution, category management, retail operations, and strategic business development. As Service Optimization Director at Columbia Distributing, Andy leads cross-functional improvement efforts across Routing, Customer Service, and Direct Sales, focusing on removing operational barriers, standardizing workflows, improving execution, and building scalable tools that strengthen field performance and customer experience. His background combines hands-on distribution leadership with deep analytical and continuous improvement expertise, including Six Sigma Black Belt experience, process mapping, forecasting, space and assortment optimization, and operational performance management. Andy has led routing strategy, service planning, category management, and national account initiatives for major retail and beverage organizations, consistently using data, structured problem solving, and cross-functional collaboration to improve business outcomes. He was also named recipient of the 2025 Scott DeMartine Leadership Award, recognizing his leadership impact within Columbia Distributing.