Bob O’Gara – CEO

As a cofounder of The Highlands Group, Bob’s professional history is practically our company’s history. Bob was a division manager as well as president of KOGCO, one of the country’s premier rep firms until it eventually became The Highlands Group. Bob has extensive experience in multi-line sales as well as insight into the mechanics of office products distribution. He has a firm grasp of where the industry is headed.

Bob is an active CEO, serving as the key contact between manufacturers and major accounts. He embraces the changes in this industry over the span of his career and believes that The Highlands Group in uniquely poised to stay at the forefront of what’s to come.

Bob has a BA from Georgetown University as well as an MBA in Management from Emory University.

Marc Tarchala – Managing Partner, National Accounts

Marc is a 23-year veteran of the manufacturing industry with vast experience in sales, marketing and management. Previously, he was Vice President of Sales at Z International, where he developed and executed sales and marketing plans for National Accounts within the Commercial Office Products and Mass Market industries.

At The Highlands Group, Marc manages our National Field Sales force and is the primary architect of sales and marketing plans for our manufacturers who distribute through our National Service Plan.

Marc has a BS in Business Administration from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN.

Rick Morgan – President: South

Rick brings over 20 years experience in multi-line marketing to The Highlands Group. Prior to joining, Rick was founder and President of Regional IP Products, where he managed the outside sales force as well as negotiated with manufacturers and selected lines and products to promote.

At The Highlands Group, Rick is responsible for setting, then meeting aggressive yet realistic sales goals that are in line with the broader objective s for the company. He also ensures that we have the correct resources to meet those goals.

Rick has a BA in Econometrics from St. Andrews University in Scotland. He got his Certified Professional Managers Representative (CPMR) designation in 1996 and completed the MAP Management program in 2001.

David Dignan – President: Mid-Atlantic

Since starting out with MS Ginn in 1970, David has amassed an impressive string of accomplishments in his career. During his tenure at MS Ginn, David was Sales Rep of the Year as well Top Sales Rep for his last five years with the company. In 1985, he left to found Promark Associates, which grew to become one of the top manufacturer rep groups in the Mid-Atlantic region. In 1991, Promark merged with Nesbitt Associates and formed NDB & Associates, which furthered their success as the dominant group in the Mid-Atlantic region. In 2000, NDB started its partnership with The Highlands Group with David at the helm of our Mid-Atlantic region.

David is now the key contact between manufacturers and major accounts in his region.

David has a BS from Old Dominion.

Dick Seppala – Manager Supply Division, Mid-Atlantic

Dick’s industry experience began in 1976 with the Paper Mate Division of the Gillette Company. He subsequently opened their Commercial business by introducing Paper Mate products and programs to key office products dealers, wholesalers and end users. In later years, Dick would become Major Market Manager, National Account Manager for the USOP, eight time District Sales Rep of the Year and Gillette North American Rep of the Year for 1996. He also served as Eastern Regional Rep Trainer.

Dick joined The Highlands Group in 2001. He currently manages all supply categories as well as handling headquarters responsibility for Penny Wise, BPGI and Government Sales. He takes manufacturer’s programs and implements them at the dealer level.

Dick has a BA in History and Economics from American International College.