O’Keeffe and Wachman

The International Fastener Expo named Tim O’Keeffe of G.L. Huyett and John Wachman of Desert Distribution as the 2020 inductees into the IFE Hall of Fame.

O’Keeffe was a business broker before acquiring the fastener manufacturer in 1992.  The company was founded in 1899 by German immigrant Guy Lamson Huyett.  Tim O’Keeffe and Carol O’Keeffe added computers, a pick-&-pack system, published the first catalog, built a 25,000 sq ft building in a Kansas wheat field and introduced Huyett’s first employee benefits package.  Huyett subsequently added 25,000 sq ft to manufacture key stock, machine keys and pins.  Huyett reached the 100-employee mark in 2006.   O’Keeffe was the associate chair of the National Fastener Distributors Association for 2008-09.

Jessi Solt, the consumer experience leader for G.L. Huyett, was named the 2020 Young Fastener Professional.

Wachman’s fastener career began in the mid-1970s as a sales and product manager for Gesipa Fasteners, covering the eastern and midwestern U.S.  After stints as sales manager for Cherry Textron and VP of OEM Operations at Copper State Bolt & Nut, he created Desert Distribution Sales LLC in 2001.  Wachman combined his relationships with manufacturers, distributors, and end-users, manufacturer’s rep agency.

As a board member for the Los Angeles Fastener Association from 2006 to 2009, Wachman assisted in LAFA and the Western Association of Fastener Distributors combining to become the Pacific-West Fastener Association. He is a board member of the Fastener Industry Coalition.  Wachman also was involved in developing the Fastener Training Institute.

The 2020 IFE was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the IFE Hall of Fame induction was held virtually.   Web: fastenershows.com/past-hof-winners

The IFE Hall of Fame was first held in 1982.  Subsequently 106 people have been inducted.   The separate YFP award started in 2016 and six have been honored.