Bryan Keller is the Chief Executive Officer of Keller Logistics Group where he leads the strategic direction, planning, and execution of all operational activities for each Keller affiliate and sets the tone for the company’s values and culture. His commitment to the communities we serve, understanding customer needs, and delivering the highest quality service has been fundamental to our success.  

Bryan joined Thomas E. Keller Trucking in 1990 after graduating from Ball State University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Marketing. Always looking to find ways to diversify and grow the business, he has made several key strategic moves that have elevated Keller Logistics Group as a growing full-service logistics solutions provider.  

After taking over as CEO of Keller Logistics Group in 2000, Bryan expanded the trucking affiliate’s success by diversifying the customer base and investing in innovative technology and equipment, growing to over 300 tractors and 1000 trailers. Bryan’s vision also helped lead the creation of additional affiliates. Keller Warehousing & Co-Packing which operates over 3 million square feet of warehouse space across 12 states, Keller Freight Solutions which moves 30,000 loads a year with a partner carrier network, and Keller Industrial Properties most recently erecting a 750,000 square foot industrial warehouse in Dallas, TX. The company continues to grow, currently employing 800 people. The notable business growth earned Bryan recognition as Ernst & Young’s prestigious Entrepreneur of the Year for 2022. 

Giving back has always been a core value of Bryan’s vision. The Keller Family Foundation was started to benefit the Defiance, Ohio community by offering financial support to area organizations and charitable events. In 2016, Bryan created Operation K.A.V.I.C. (Keller Assists Veterans in Crisis) to assist local veterans where there were gaps in their veterans’ benefits. To date, the philanthropy has raised over $350,000 to help local veterans and their families in financial crisis. In 2018, Bryan was the first non-veteran to win the Ohio State Association of County Veterans Service Commissioners Award for his work with Operation K.A.V.I.C. Additionally, Bryan was chosen by the Defiance Area Chamber of Commerce as the 2020 recipient of the local Michael A. Schultz Leadership award for his significant contributions to the Defiance community.  

He is also very active in the local business community, where he currently holds a board member position with the Defiance County Economic Development – Community Improvement Corporation. Bryan was a member of the Rotary International – Defiance Club and the Ohio Trucking Association, as well as the American Trucking Association as well as serving on two separate committees with the International Warehouse Logistics Association. He has served as a Chapter Advisor to the Bowling Green State University Delta Tau Delta Fraternity, the Defiance College Purple and Gold Club, the Chair of the Board Trustees of Northwest State Community College, as well as local parish councils with his church. In his free time, Bryan enjoys running, having competed in fifteen marathons, completing triathlons, and cycling on his Cannondale, as well as spending as much time as he can with his fiancé, two daughters and grandson. 

Ian Heller is Founder & Senior Partner at Distribution Strategy Group, and has more than 30 years of experience executing marketing and e-business strategy in the wholesale distribution industry. He has written and spoken extensively on the impact of digital disruption on distributors.

Jonathan Bein, Ph.D. has worked with many distributors to make their marketing a profit center. He has developed and applied analytic approaches for customer segmentation, customer lifecycle management, positioning and messaging, pricing, and channel strategy for distributors.