#39 Brian Porter

Starline (asi/89320) – CRO

2023 Rank: NR

Industry Experience: 28 Years

Previous Appearances on Power 50: 0

Over nearly seven years at Starline USA, Brian Porter’s name has become synonymous with the Counselor Top 40 supplier, which has grown from a small, family-run firm headquartered near Buffalo, NY, to a major player in the industry with a presence in both the U.S. and Canada.

New to this year’s list, Porter was promoted to CRO in January 2023. And of his subsequent moves, one of his most prescient was playing a key role in bringing Stanley tumblers, the 2023 ASI Media Product of the Year, to the supplier’s product line, making it just one of a handful of industry companies able to keep up with end-buyer demand. Another intriguing move? Starline’s recent strategic partnership with fellow Counselor Top 40 supplier Vantage Apparel (asi/93390) – where Vantage will be offering select hard goods to round out its apparel offerings – expands Starline’s market and allows it to cater to buyers looking for one-stop shopping. Starline also exhibited its commitment to sustainability by transitioning over to 100% solar power.

Through those moves and Porter’s pervading influence, Starline boasts three consecutive years of growth, including an increase of 5.7% in 2023 during a difficult year for the industry. “We’ve made some very strategic pivots in the way we do business, including in purchasing, production, sales and marketing, and technology,” says Porter. “We’ve grown as a company, we’ve had some outstanding additions join our team, and in spite of stronger-than-anticipated market headwinds in 2024, we’re still experiencing growth.”