Frank “Skip” Devilling III — an icon for industrial distribution and manufacturing recruiting and consulting — died Oct. 8 at the age of 82.

DeVilling was well-recognized throughout the industrial supply channel for his work in helping distributors and manufacturers with their talent recruiting, succession planning and training initiatives.

His career in the channel spanned 58 years, with the first 30 spent on the sales side as a representative, manager and vice president at Bay State Abrasives Canada, Regal Beloit, Columbus McKinnon and Simonds, Industries, respectively.

In 1996, DeVilling started DeVilling & Associates as a retained search firm in Sarasota, FL serving industrial distributors and manufacturers. He also was a founder of manufacturer’s rep firm The Arrowhead Group 2019.

DeVilling also served as a member of various association boards, including the Industrial Distribution Association (now ISA) and the American Supply and Machinery Association, and helped lay the groundwork for the industrial marketplace.

DeVilling received the 2017 NetPlus Alliance Founder’s Award for his industry devotion and leadership.

DeVilling retired at the end of 2021.

“I would like to thank my constituents, mentors, and friends, who helped me throughout my career,” DeVilling said in a statement announcing his retirement. “I am so grateful! We never do this by ourselves…there are always people in our network helping. Thank you!”

Throughout the second half of his career on the consultancy side, Devilling regularly contributed commentary and thought leadership to the MDM audience. His insights sought to help distributors navigate various workforce matters that spanned noncompetes, training, candidate search tactics, general recruiting advice and a focus on helping firms through the 2008-2009 Great Recession that was filled with layoffs.

See past MDM content featuring DeVilling’s insights below:

• Distributors Combine Traditional, New Means for Recruiting (2015)
• PREMIUM – Succession Planning: Positioning for the Future (2015)
• PREMIUM – MDM Interview: Helping Employees Find New Work (2009)
• PREMIUM – Helping Employees Who Are Let Go (2009)

Find DeVilling’s full obituary here.