Dru Avery, President and Chief Financial Officer of Innermountain Distributing Company, took a risk in 2020 when he and his team acquired the company amid uncertainty. What followed was a period of transformative decision-making, driven by a belief in people, process, and purpose. That belief led to remarkable results, culminating in Avery’s recognition as a Second-Year Titan 100 Honoree — an emblem of strategic leadership and operational excellence.
Avery stepped into a distribution business in flux and used that tension as a launching pad. In less than three years, the company not only stabilized, it flourished. Under his stewardship, Innermountain Distributing invested in top talent, streamlined logistics, and expanded market share. His approach to growth is deliberate — aligning vision with execution while fostering internal collaboration. Rather than chasing trends, Avery focuses on precision: understanding customer needs and building infrastructure that adapts intelligently.
The future of Innermountain Distributing lies in equipping people for continuous relevance. Avery believes deeply in cultivating skill sets that transcend job titles. The company collaborates closely with suppliers to deliver education and certifications, particularly in technical product knowledge. Employees aren’t just trained; they’re empowered to evolve. He views adaptability as the single most critical workplace asset, and his workforce reflects that commitment.
To maintain his own momentum, Avery engages in strategic planning alongside his leadership team, exploring macroeconomic data and peer insights. His enthusiasm for business is not performative — it’s embedded in the structures and conversations he leads. He opens space for innovation not by demanding it, but by modeling curiosity and encouraging personal investment.
If there’s one superpower Avery could master instantly, it would be the ability to speak and understand any language. The reason? Communication. He views language as the gateway to relationships, influence, and possibility. It’s a practical aspiration rooted in his leadership style: understand first, then act.
What makes Avery’s journey extraordinary is not just how far he’s led Innermountain Distributing — it’s the way he measures progress. Over the past year, he’s navigated a complex leadership shakeup, introduced a new chief financial officer, and supported his chief executive officer’s retirement, all while meeting aggressive growth targets. The year moved “fast and slow all at the same time,” he says, a phrase that perfectly captures the dual pressures of performance and transition.
Leadership, for Avery, is defined by clarity. He’s learned that even during uncertainty, people rally behind transparency. “Be honest about what you know, what you don’t, and what the path might be,” he advises. That candor has helped create a resilient culture of trust and accountability.
In developing the next generation of leaders, Avery is intentional. He mentors within his organization and across his network, investing time in helping others find direction. Impact isn’t measured in applause — it’s seen in the confidence and capability of others stepping up.
For Avery, the Titan 100 platform validates the path less taken: bold moves guided by principle. His recognition isn’t just a milestone — it’s a testament to thoughtful risk, operational clarity, and a genuine commitment to people-first leadership.
