Our Team

Paul Thaden

30+ years in the Consumer Electronics industry.

Paul Thaden has been a partner at USI Sales since May 2010. As partner, Paul drives strategy and business development initiatives. Paul is known for his exceptional ability to use in-depth territory and account knowledge to increase market share, boost brand awareness, and influence brand preference.

Fun fact: Paul's first job out of college was at Best Buy, back when they had just 12 stores. He was on the front lines of the consumer electronics boom, mainly explaining to people that their microwave didn’t come with a VHS player. People call him Leo. No, he doesn't know why either.

Chris Stone

25+ years in the Consumer Electronics industry.

Chris Stone, Partner, has been with USI Sales since May 2010. He is a proven sales and distribution executive with demonstrated success leading and expanding a diverse portfolio of products and services throughout North America.

Fun fact: Chris is a hophead at heart. Always chasing the next great craft brew, from hazy IPAs to perfect lagers. His golf game is questionable, but he's all in for the laughs and the post-round drinks.

Julie Oerther

24+ years in sales.

Before joining USI Sales, Julie worked for adidas golf for 19+ years as a sales territory manager. She managed various customers from big box retailers to small individual shops. Julie prides herself in building strong, long-lasting relationships. People is what makes the job great!

Fun fact: Julie loves golf and dogs. She thrives on chaos!

Brian Garber

Brian joined USI Sales in July 2013. During his tenure he has developed strong relationships with many software and electronics buyers across numerous US-based retailers. Through these relationships, he drives new opportunities and growth at retail.

Brian’s strong sales operation background combined with his attention to detail, has established his proven track record of driving sales and achieving the best possible results for all parties.

Fun fact: Brian loves a good soft pretzel smothered in cheese — no salt, because he enjoys flavor, not licking a salt lick. He has owned more cars than most people have houseplants and can drive stick without stalling — which apparently makes him a rare species these days.

Nina Greenburg

Nina Greenburg has been with USI Sales since June of 2015. She manages key accounts such as Amazon, Staples, Newegg, and other e-commerce customers.

Before joining USI Sales, Nina held sales roles at Navarre Corporation where she worked in Consumer Electronics, Accessories, and software distribution for over 15 years. Nina has also worked with national brick & mortar accounts while leading the e-commerce team and segment.

Fun fact: Nina owned three Volkswagen Beetles, John, Paul, and currently George. Ringo is waiting for his moment. She has a first-degree black belt and is working on her second. Yes, she can kick, but she mostly uses it to open stubborn pickle jars.

Phil Cristofaro

Phil Cristofaro is a dynamic sales and marketing leader with over 15 years of diverse experience in wholesale and retail, both in-store and online. Specializing in Walmart and Sam’s Club, he introduces, grows, and nurtures relationships between product and service companies and national retailers. Serving as a single point of contact for retailer-facing essentials, Phil excels in line reviews, launch execution, replenishment and planning analytics, and marketing. He has built strategic partnerships with major retailers, consistently driving double-digit growth and service improvements. Known for his entrepreneurial spirit and innovative thinking, Phil thrives on challenges and leads with a focus on issue resolution, relationship building, and follow-through to achieve results.

Fun fact: Phil is a founding team member and board member of For The Love, a nonprofit food truck in Northwest Arkansas. They've served over 100,000 meals—because nothing brings people together like free food and zero judgment about going back for seconds. He has laid down grooves for live and studio projects from New York to Northwest Arkansas. Basically, if there’s a stage, a plug, and someone willing to pay in pizza or applause, Phil is there with his bass.

Kaitlin Ameluxen

Kaitlin Ameluxen joined USI Sales in June 2022 and plays a key role in driving sales and supporting key accounts such as Target. She uses her background in operations and analytics to grow accounts, build relationships, and drive results. Kaitlin holds both her undergraduate degree and MBA from Minnesota State University, Mankato.

Fun fact: Kaitlin has an identical twin. Yep. It’s like looking in a mirror, but the mirror talks back and steals your clothes. She played lacrosse, volleyball, basketball, and softball in high school because apparently, she thought sleep was optional.

Scott Alexander

35+ years in the Consumer Electronics industry.

Scott Alexander recently joined USI Sales after taking a short non-compete break after 35 years with TD SYNNEX running their Consumer and Consumer Computing Electronics for Retail. As a seasoned Veteran, Scott develops deep lasting relationships while at the same time expects and receives accurate forecasts with mutual planning. Scott is well known for his strength within the NATM Buying Group and other regional players as well as a flair for the international side of things. Scott boosts brand awareness, and influences brand preference while delivering what the customer wants and needs.

Fun Story: Scott has met Warren Buffett twice, once at Nebraska Furniture’s grand opening in Kansas City and at an RC Willey Grand Opening as well. He had the pleasure of having breakfast with Warren. No charge.

Jack Gillin

Previously worked as Senior Director of Business Growth – Americas at OKAI Inc., and was responsible for rolling out a new consumer brand of e-scooters and e-bikes to big box retailers across the region. Also served as a Senior Business Growth Advisor for several innovative companies that are involved with micromobility and robotics, such as Segway Robotics, ESG, Dappar, Sunvessel, Micro-AV, and More4Motion.

Fun fact - 2 of my daughters were born on the same day 4 years apart and I a son who was almost born on the same day 9 days later.

Laura Thomas

Laura Thomas joined USI Sales in December of 2014 and is responsible for reporting and sales analytics, as well as communicating with USI Sales’ retail customers and vendor partners.

Laura's previous experience as a Target Buyer and working in distribution are key to building strategic marketing plans and building efficiencies in our vendor programs at retail.

Fun fact: She is a certified dog enthusiast, a passionate advocate for all things canine. She's great at trivia. . . if you don’t count the actual trivia part. Laura is like a golden retriever at trivia — excited, confused, but having the best time.

Desiree Nelson

Since April of 2019, Desiree Nelson has been USI Sales’ Channel Marketing Manager responsible for account management, marketing strategy and program planning, budget management and performance tracking with USI Sales’ Adobe relationships.

Previously, Desiree spent 16 years in professional retail experience. She is well versed in managing multiple brands that require unique and complex strategies to achieve business goals.

Fun fact: Desiree picked up a new hobby: strength training. Since January 6th, she's lifted 228,000 pounds in total—which is wild, considering she still gets winded carrying in all the grocery bags in one trip. Desiree is a lover of all wines—red, white, sparkling. . . if it comes in a bottle and helps her pretend she's sophisticated, she's in.

Melissa Gottschalk

Melissa Gottschalk took on her role as part of the USI Sales team in December 2020. She is responsible for key account operations, including vendor onboarding, item setups, SKU management and sales reporting. Melissa works very closely with the retail merchant teams and vendor partners.

Prior to USI Sales, Melissa worked in the promotional products industry for 7 years and as a marketing events coordinator.

Fun fact: Melissa donated a kidney to her son in 2019 — because apparently, the "superhero" title comes with the whole parenting package. She is a full-time Swiftie, part-time functioning adult.

Joelle Cognetta

Joelle Cognetta joined USI Sales in September 2021 and is key in driving sales growth. She focuses on market research, category management, and data analysis to uncover new opportunities, improve product strategies, and boost overall sales performance. Before joining USI Sales, Joelle worked in various roles including marketing, category manager, and as a senior buyer for Best Buy.

Fun fact: Joelle is a proud member of the 8% of people who enjoy running—basically, she pays money to wake up early, suffer, and call it “fun.” Joelle has run three full marathons and more half marathons than she can count (mostly because she's blocked them out). Favorite race? Grandma’s Marathon. Joelle loves traveling with her family—preferably somewhere with breathtaking views, amazing food, and slightly less Wi-Fi. Top faraway favorites? Italy (for the pasta) and Hawaii (for pretending she surfs). Closer to home, you’ll usually find Joelle in Ely, MN, or at a random ballfield somewhere in the Midwest, living out of a cooler and pretending she knows the tournament bracket.

Nicole Burke

Nicole Burke brings a skill set that spans finance, human resources, office management, and sales support. She plays a vital role in ensuring the smooth operation of daily business functions—overseeing financial processes, managing HR initiatives, coordinating administrative activities, and supporting the sales team.

Prior to USI Sales, Nicole spent 13 years at Navarre Corporation where she was key in employee recruitment and retention, accounting process management, and financial reporting.

Fun fact: Nicole is basically a hostage to local sports talk radio. She's got strange random sports takes and an unhealthy bond with hosts who don’t know she exists. She is obsessed with Flat Coated Retrievers — currently living with two goofy legends, Walter and Hank, who run her house.