Who We Are

We are an innovative cooperative purchasing organization that believes in the power of partnership; when you work together you achieve more. Our leadership team has decades of experience within the public and private procurement environments, with specific experience in cooperative purchasing, supply chain improvement, and relationships that extend throughout the procurement channel.

Equalis Groups’ utilization of the lead agency model for competitively bid contracts, provides our participants’ the savings they expect and the efficiencies and peace of mind they deserve within the procurement process.

Our Mission

To continuously improve the measurable and meaningful impact of cooperative services for everyone throughout the supply chain.

Our Values and Beliefs

Equalis Group is dedicated to the improvement of the overall supply chain. We believe:

- When you work together, you achieve more
- No customers or suppliers are too big or too small
- Experience counts but reputation counts more
- We are successful because we put our participants’ interests before our own

Why Equalis Group

Funny thing about buying cooperatives. The fact that you join one seems to convey that you’re not big enough, or worthy enough, on your own. We look at it differently. Every single one of our participants deserves the same respect, attention and, of course, benefit as everyone else. Your individual procurement needs deserve just as much thought and guidance. Your challenges and concerns deserve responsive, well-informed support. With Equalis Group, you’ll always feel like you, your organization and your goals are as important to us as they are to you.

Meet the team

STEPHEN HULL, CEO

As the CEO of Equalis Group, Stephen Hull is responsible for the company’s overall operations, strategic direction and business planning. Hull brings more than 25 years of sales, marketing, operations and corporate development to Equalis Group.

Most recently, Hull served as the Group Senior Vice President of Provista, leading marketing, Vizient’s non-acute and Provista’s health care and business markets. In his role, he provided direction and oversight to the sales and marketing teams.

Before joining Provista, he served as one of the founders and President of Summa Purchasing Group, LLC. Over six years, his leadership delivered rapid member, sales and revenue growth, which resulted in Provista’s acquisition of Summa.

Hull holds a bachelor degree in management from the University of Mississippi and a master’s degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

JOSH FITZGERALD, EVP

As EVP of Equalis Group, Josh Fitzgerald has responsibility for the company’s sales, strategy, and business development. Fitzgerald brings more than 15 years of sales, supply chain operations, and contract management to Equalis Group.

Most recently, Fitzgerald served as Vice President/General Manager at Provista, leading the sales strategy for Provista’s health care and business markets. In his role, he provided direction and oversight to the sales and supplier strategy teams.

Before joining Provista, he spent 5 years at Vizient developing and implementing their non-acute contracting strategy. Fitzgerald also spent 8 years with McKesson Pharmaceutical leading operations and supply chain strategy for multiple distribution centers.

ERIC MERKLE, SVP

As SVP of Equalis Group, Eric Merkle has responsibility for the company’s sourcing and compliance, technology development, and sales operations. Merkle brings more than 20 years of supply chain operations, and over 15 years of cooperative purchasing experience to Equalis Group.

Prior to joining Equalis Group, Merkle served as Associate Vice President at Provista, leading the Contract Implementation, Supplier Operations, and Customer Analytics teams. Additionally, Merkle led in the development of multiple technology projects that improved the overall member experience.

Prior to joining Provista, Merkle was the Vice President of Operations for Summa Purchasing Group (acquired by Provista). In this role, Merkle led all customer operational functions for Summa, including supplier contracting, analytics and technology development. Prior to Summa, Merkle held multiple operational and procurement roles at US Foods.

DAVID J. AKERS, EVP

As EVP of Equalis Group, David J. Akers is responsible for the company’s marketing strategy, supplier relationships, and key partnerships. Akers brings more than 15 years of public sector group purchasing strategy, growth, and sourcing experience to Equalis Group.

Akers formed Sourcing Alliance, a public sector group purchasing cooperative, in 2004. As President & CEO, Akers was responsible for Sourcing Alliance’s strategic direction, business planning, sourcing, and operations. Equalis Group acquired Sourcing Alliance as part of its growth strategy in 2020.

Akers began his entrepreneurial career more than 20 years ago. He has created and launched more than a dozen initiatives in the business, civic, and government sectors. He is the author or co-author of six issued patents, which he either commercialized or sold to a Fortune 500 company.