In this episode, Founder Frank G. Cannata chats with Greg Welchans, president and chief marketing officer of Distribution Management, about the importance of philanthropy in the office technology industry. Welchans was named the 2026 Spirit of Life Honoree by City of Hope, which partners with veteran communities to provide specialized cancer care, research, and support. He explains why this cause is “deeply personal,” sharing the story of his late father-in-law, a U.S. military veteran who succumbed to cancer, and citing these statistics:
- More than 43,000 veterans presently are diagnosed with service-related cancer, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
- Data also reveal that U.S. military members face higher cancer rates, often at younger ages, than the general population.
- The risk is especially alarming among special operations forces—the elite combat units across all branches of the military, such as Navy Seals and Army Rangers—who face up to 10 times the cancer risk.
Supporting City of Hope’s TGen Research
“Our industry has raised more than $300 million over the last 40 years,” Welchans adds, explaining that there are many ways that the dealer community can get involved: from in-house raffles to “walks for hope.” For Executive Connection Summit attendees heading to Scottsdale next weekend, another way to support is picking up your golf bag on Wednesday, February 11! DM is hosting a golf tournament to benefit City of Hope’s Translational Genomics (TGen) Research Institute in Phoenix. Founded 113 years ago, City of Hope is one of the largest and most advanced cancer research and treatment organizations in the United States and one of the leading research centers for diabetes and other life-threatening illnesses. Reserve your spot on the golf course.
