January 1, 2026 — The Independent Distributor Network (IDN) is pleased to announce that Brett Kooima will be returning to the organization to serve as Executive Director, effective January 1, 2026.
Kooima brings deep industry knowledge and a long-standing connection to IDN. From 2010 to 2024, Kooima served as Vice President of Cask & Cork Distributing, IDN’s founding member in Iowa and the Dakotas. At Cask & Cork he oversaw all aspects of the business for owner Dennis Aanenson, including sales, operations, supplier relationships, and accounting. Kooima also served on IDN’s Executive Committee from 2021 to 2024.
During his 14-year tenure at Cask & Cork, Kooima demonstrated a clear understanding of the challenges facing independent distributors. He successfully expanded the company’s supplier portfolio to include larger partners while simultaneously developing innovative sales strategies to nurture smaller suppliers and build emerging brands.
In 2024, Kooima joined Sethmar Transportation as Director of Outside Sales, where he continued to distinguish himself through relationship-building and strategic growth. His clients at Sethmar included not only distributors, but also wineries, distilleries, and breweries—further broadening his perspective across the beverage alcohol industry.
“We are thrilled to have Brett back with the IDN, and in a role that is perfectly suited to his experiences and skillset,” said IDN president Alex Thompson, who is also a managing partner at Prestige-Ledroit Distributing Co. in Maryland, Delaware and Washington, D.C. “Brett was always passionate about the Network and has a clear-eyed view of the national distribution landscape. He’s an excellent communicator, a unifier, and a tireless advocate for independent distributors.”
Kooima takes over for Mark Harmann, who will retire from the IDN after four years as the Network’s National Sales Director.
The IDN is a collective currently made up of 25 independently owned distributors from 24 states and the District of Columbia who share a common vision to bring an innovative solution to suppliers and non-supplier vendors across the United States, and to provide access for smaller distributors to tools, education and contacts to build dynamic portfolios and improve operational efficiency.
