Eric Hoplin

CEO of NAW, the National Association of Wholesaler Distributors

Eric Hoplin is the CEO of NAW, the National Association of Wholesaler Distributors.  NAW and its affiliated trade associations represent nearly 30,000 companies that account for one-third of the American economy.  The distribution industry stands at the center of America’s supply chain, distributing goods and services across nearly every sector of commerce. 

A seasoned executive and communicator who has worked at the highest levels of government and business, Hoplin was previously the Head of External Relations for Wells Fargo, where he led a team focused on improving the company’s reputation and advancing pro-growth policy objectives in concert with third-party organizations across the political spectrum. Before joining Wells Fargo, Hoplin served as the executive director at the Financial Services Roundtable (now BPI), a trade association representing the CEOs of the nation’s largest financial services companies. Prior to that, Hoplin worked in management consulting at Booz Allen Hamilton, where he helped senior leaders across the government solve their most vexing challenges. Earlier in his career, Hoplin worked in politics, supporting many congressional, gubernatorial, and Presidential campaigns.

Hoplin is a leader in the charitable community, where he serves on the Board of the Trust for the National Mall, the Reagan Ranch Board of Governors, and the Corporate Advisory Board for So Others Might Eat (SOME).  He’s a prolific fundraiser, having raised millions of dollars for charitable organizations, NGOs, and political candidates. 

A Minnesota native, Hoplin holds a Master of International Affairs degree from Columbia University, an M.B.A. from Augsburg College, a B.A. in political science and communications from St. Olaf College, and a certificate in Change Management from Georgetown University McDonough School of Business. He lives outside of Washington, DC with his wife Nicole and their three boys.