The U.S. Direct Selling Association held its Annual Meeting in Phoenix, Arizona, June 5 to 7, bringing together direct selling company executives, academics, suppliers and global direct selling leaders for collaboration and conversation about the trends shaping the channel.

John Addison and Richard Williams served for 15 years as co-CEOs of Primerica Inc., a Georgia-based financial services company that today ranks as the 12th largest direct selling company in the world, with 2015 net sales of $1.41 billion.

The cover story in the May 2016 edition of Direct Selling News explored the emergence of the YouEconomy — a seismic shift in the American economy that is expanding opportunities for individuals to carve their own paths toward entrepreneurship.

I love the University of Georgia football team. I’m a big Bulldogs’ fan and go to every game I can. Like a lot of sports fans, I have some peculiar habits in relation to my team.

John Addison, now President and CEO of Addison Leadership Group and Leadership Editor for SUCCESS magazine, engages and inspires audiences with his relatable messages. Most recently, he served as Co-CEO of Primerica Inc., a company he joined more than 35 years ago. DSN Publisher and Editor in Chief Lauren Lawley Head had an opportunity to sit down with him this month to talk about his vision and the future of direct selling.

As the Vemma case unfolds, I grow increasingly concerned about the impact it could have on the industry’s future.