Mr. Pickering has over 20 years of executive level business experience in production and inventory control environments including wholesaler and distributor companies.

Mr. Pickering began his career managing a Home Depot distribution center. He was successfully implemented operating policies and procedures for his distribution center that became company wide programs. He turned over the operational performance of the largest facility into one that all others were measured against. Under his leadership, his facility received two customer service awards, three physical inventory awards and two awards of excellence, the most prestigious award of the corporation.

Promoted to Executive Director of Distribution Operations, Mr. Pickering designed a new distribution organization with 13 distribution centers to support 30% annual growth in sales and 35% increase in unit volume. He successfully directed the implementation of a company wide Strategic Planning program and designed and implemented new electronic/automated material handling and sorting systems to support the Pick-Pack and Ship operation. He prepared and applied strategic plans to relocate into several new sites located across the country, which enabled the company to expand service to 95% of the continental population. Mr. Pickering was the youngest member of the management team to ever be appointed to the Board of Directors and served as Chairperson of the Compensation Committee, Chairperson of the New Warehouse Opening Team and Chairperson of the Employee Recognition Program.

Prior to working with The Scotland Group, Inc.^®, Mr. Pickering served as Chief Operating Officer of American Security Distribution based in Anaheim, California. He was responsible for the development, management, systems and profitability of all operating departments including Sales, Marketing, Accounting, Customer Service, Information Technology, E-Commerce, Product Management, Purchasing, Assembly Operations, Warehousing and fifteen distribution centers. He successfully managed the implementation of the Strategic Planning Process and implemented fully integrated Supply Chain Technology Systems and procedures to support a process perfect environment and company growth. He designed an automated stocking and retrieval system and implemented company wide work cell methodology for improved customer service. Mr. Pickering was appointed to the Board of Directors of ASD.

As Chief Operating Officer of a California based manufacturer and distributor of multi-media storage products, Mr. Pickering established a company wide strategic Management by Objectives program to support owners IPO plan and was responsible for directing manufacturing operations in China and the US. He successfully developed a management infrastructure to meet long-term company objectives and implemented a company operated transportation and delivery system.

Mr. Pickering received his BA in Business Administration with a Minor in Information Systems from Cal Poly, Pomona and his MBA and Teaching Credential from Pomona College, Claremont Colleges in Claremont, California. He completed an eighteen-month certification program, including eight separate sections in Distribution and Transportation Management from California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, California and completed a six-month Executive Management program at Dale Carnegie.

Mr. Pickering is affiliated with the Association of Production and Inventory Control Society, the Council of Logistics Management, the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors and Big Brothers of America.