Whitestone (asi/359741) says it increased sales more than 50% on an annual basis in 2024.

Now, with no intentions of slowing down, the Counselor Best Place to Work has announced leadership promotions that executives believe will prove pivotal to continuing to scale effectively and manage growth.

Dominique Volker and Joseph Sommer, Whitestone (asi/359741)

In particular: Dominque Volker, hitherto vice president of sales, is rising to the role of company president. Meanwhile, Joseph Sommer, Whitestone’s founder and previous president, has elevated to the position of chief executive officer.

Sommer, Counselor’s 2024 Distributor Entrepreneur of the Year, used a nautical analogy to describe the moves and what they mean for Whitestone.

“Whitestone has always been about vision and execution,” he said. “If Whitestone were a ship, I’m the one charting the course – setting the vision, navigating where we need to go and ensuring we’re steering toward the right horizon. But every great ship needs a captain at the helm, ensuring the crew is executing with precision, adjusting to the currents and keeping us on track day-to-day. Dominique is that captain. This promotion ensures that someone is relentlessly focused on operational execution while I stay locked in on strategy, vision, strategic initiatives and the long-term future of the business.”

Volker, an ASI Media 2023 Distributor Salesperson of the Year Finalist, was Whitestone’s first employee, joining in 2015 the fledgling distributorship that was founded by her then New York City neighbor Sommer. Since then, Volker has been at the forefront of propelling Whitestone’s success and growth in roles that have included operations manager, senior project manager and vice president of sales. The firm now does well into eight figures annually.

Not one to rest on past successes, Volker said Whitestone’s focus in 2025 will be strengthening three important pillars: technology and automation, international operations and creative culture.

“Every great ship needs a captain at the helm, ensuring the crew is executing with precision, adjusting to the currents and keeping us on track day-to-day. Dominique is that captain.” Joseph Sommer, Whitestone (asi/359741)

“After experiencing over 50% growth in 2024, it’s essential that we update our internal systems and processes to ensure they’re built to scale,” Volker said. “Growth can be uncomfortable, and as leaders, it’s our responsibility to ensure that we maintain our award-winning culture while fostering an environment where our team feels excited to come to work every day.”

Volker’s pumped on a personal level to be stepping into the president’s seat. “I’ve poured more time, energy and effort into growing Whitestone than anything else in my life, and I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together,” said Volker, who credited Whitestone team members for their deft execution.

Established in 2013, Whitestone ranked first in the medium-sized company category and second overall on Counselor’s 2024 list of the Best Places to Work in the promotional products industry.

Executives said Whitestone has ambitious plans for growth. The firm has made three acquisitions since July 2024, including Merchful (asi/267634), American Apparel & Promotions and Design Like Whoa (asi/179554). The aim is to execute additional M&A deals, according to Sommer. The firm has also added talent, naming promo industry veteran Karie Cowden director of enterprise sales and McKenzie Morgan marketing brand manager.