Some leaders make waves—Bret Long builds steady currents. As president of WSS Phoenix DC, he has cultivated a culture defined not by rapid surges, but by methodical growth and unwavering integrity. His leadership reflects the kind of quiet force that transforms teams and systems alike—powerful, enduring and deeply rooted in accountability.
Three years ago, Long stepped into a landscape of possibility. Under his guidance, the company has not only expanded its reach but redefined the way it approaches operations. From infrastructure optimization to expanding product lines, he has orchestrated a strategic transformation that’s reflected in both performance and morale. Efficiency isn’t just a buzzword at WSS Phoenix DC—it’s a philosophy embedded in every task.
Long’s leadership is grounded in clear communication. It’s what fuels his team’s confidence and alignment. Over the past year, he has refined his focus on ownership—empowering employees to take initiative, solve challenges and celebrate wins. His greatest accomplishment isn’t tied to a single metric but to the consistency of outcomes and the people behind them. Through small, deliberate improvements, he’s achieved significant organizational momentum.
His recognition as a Titan 100 Honoree reflects a rare kind of influence: one that strengthens foundations rather than seeking the spotlight. Long’s legacy of mentorship, particularly through evening shifts where young workers shadow leadership roles, has begun to shape future business leaders in real time. He’s intentional about investing time where impact grows—in the field, on the floor, in conversations that shift mindsets.
Passion for the business is reignited through these real interactions. Long finds his energy in the satisfaction of building something sustainable. He’s not driven by accolades but by results and relationships. His approach to leadership mirrors his philosophy on success: earned daily, shaped by service and guided by purpose.
The year’s most valuable leadership lesson came from stepping back. Long realized the importance of creating space for others to lead. By decentralizing decision-making and instilling ownership at every level, he unlocked new layers of team engagement. That lesson now informs every major initiative, ensuring future strategies are led by insight from the front lines.
For Long, preparing for tomorrow means instilling an “ownership mentality” across his workforce. He’s working to embed that mindset into training programs, fostering teams that don’t just execute—they elevate. Goals for the coming year center around expanding cross-functional leadership and streamlining supply operations without sacrificing quality.
If he could master any skill instantly, it would be the ability to invoke that ownership perspective in others on demand. To him, it’s the most valuable asset any organization can have: people who care deeply and act responsibly, no matter their title.
While many chase scale, Long is focused on depth—of leadership, of culture, of systems that last. That’s the current he’s building at WSS Phoenix DC, and it’s carrying the company—and its people—toward a future of lasting excellence.
