TUG Member Spotlight: Chris Snyder, First Choice Distribution

At First Choice Distribution, staying ahead of market trends while delivering exceptional service is how they operate. According to Chris Snyder, Purchasing Manager with over 28 years at First Choice Distribution in Des Moines, strong vendor partnerships, proactive purchasing, and internal alignment drive their success. As this month’s member spotlight, First Choice Distribution shows how membership in The United Group (TUG) empowers independent distributors to thrive through collective purchasing power, supplier vetting, and peer collaboration.

Founded in 1969 and acquired by Dick and Patty Johnson in 2022, First Choice Distribution is a one-stop shop for safety, packaging, janitorial, food service, and office supplies. A key differentiator is their vendor-managed consignment programs for manufacturing and food processing plants, where dedicated teams manage on-site inventory directly inside customer facilities to ensure seamless replenishment.

To power these offerings, Chris relies on TUG’s vendor ecosystem. TUG handles supplier vetting, program setup, and securing volume purchasing advantages and rebates. Chris prioritizes attending TUG’s annual conference, especially the segment meetings with top suppliers who actively listen to distributor pain points and implement real changes year after year. TUG’s network also creates peer learning, such as sending First Choice’s warehouse manager to tour fellow member Grimsley’s facilities in Oklahoma to gather operational efficiencies.

Internally, Chris advocates for breaking down departmental silos so the whole company works toward the shared goal of serving the customer. This alignment enables a proactive purchasing strategy that anticipates market shifts, buying ahead or holding tight during supply chain turmoil, while maintaining a “can-do” attitude for custom customer requests like specialized UPC labeling.   For Chris, this professional dedication goes hand in hand with her personal life, where family, quilting, and traveling to golf courses with her husband take center stage. With TUG’s strategic backing, Chris’s approach shows that long-term business success is built on strong relationships, proactive vision, and genuine care for people.

At First Choice Distribution, staying ahead of market trends while delivering exceptional service is how they operate. According to Chris Snyder, Purchasing Manager with over 28 years at First Choice Distribution in Des Moines, strong vendor partnerships, proactive purchasing, and internal alignment drive their success. As this month’s member spotlight, First Choice Distribution shows how membership in The United Group (TUG) empowers independent distributors to thrive through collective purchasing power, supplier vetting, and peer collaboration.

Founded in 1969 and acquired by Dick and Patty Johnson in 2022, First Choice Distribution is a one-stop shop for safety, packaging, janitorial, food service, and office supplies. A key differentiator is their vendor-managed consignment programs for manufacturing and food processing plants, where dedicated teams manage on-site inventory directly inside customer facilities to ensure seamless replenishment.

To power these offerings, Chris relies on TUG’s vendor ecosystem. TUG handles supplier vetting, program setup, and securing volume purchasing advantages and rebates. Chris prioritizes attending TUG’s annual conference, especially the segment meetings with top suppliers who actively listen to distributor pain points and implement real changes year after year. TUG’s network also creates peer learning, such as sending First Choice’s warehouse manager to tour fellow member Grimsley’s facilities in Oklahoma to gather operational efficiencies.

Internally, Chris advocates for breaking down departmental silos so the whole company works toward the shared goal of serving the customer. This alignment enables a proactive purchasing strategy that anticipates market shifts, buying ahead or holding tight during supply chain turmoil, while maintaining a “can-do” attitude for custom customer requests like specialized UPC labeling. For Chris, this professional dedication goes hand in hand with her personal life, where family, quilting, and traveling to golf courses with her husband take center stage. With TUG’s strategic backing, Chris’s approach shows that long-term business success is built on strong relationships, proactive vision, and genuine care for people.