Awards October 26, 2026
Counselor 2026 Power 50
With transformative technology poised to reshape the promo industry, these are the leaders who will turn that promise into reality.
As the promo industry stands on the threshold of a new technological age, its future still rests with a more antiquated source of intelligence: humans. And not just any humans, but bold leaders with the foresight and resolve to see beyond the hype and turn limitless promise into real results. You’ll find them on the Counselor Power 50.
To compile this year’s list, we surveyed past honorees and members of the promo industry, asking them to assess the influence of current members and nominate new candidates. Counselor’s editors then evaluated each candidate’s annual performance, leadership and contributions to the industry to determine the final rankings. Only executives who have worked at promotional products suppliers or distributors in the past year are eligible.
Counselor 2026 Power 50
Click on the names below to read more about each Counselor Power 50 honoree.
| 2026 Rank | Name/Company | 2025 Rank | Rank change | Previous times on Power 50 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeremy Lott SanMar (asi/84863) |
1 | same | 13 |
| 2 | CJ Schmidt Hit Promotional Products (asi/61125) |
2 | same | 16 |
| 3 | Jo-an Lantz & David Geiger Geiger (asi/202900) |
5 | 2 | 20 & 1 |
| 4 | Frank Myers S&S (asi/84358) |
4 | same | 3 |
| 5 | Jim Hilt HALO (asi/356000) |
34 | 29 | 1 |
| 6 | Vera Muzzillo Proforma (asi/300094) |
7 | 1 | 20 |
| 7 | Chris Anderson HPG (asi/61966) |
6 | 1 | 7 |
| 8 | Jonathan Isaacson & Frank Carpenito Gemline (asi/56070) |
9 | 1 | 20 & 3 |
| 9 | Kevin Lyons-Tarr & Suzanne Worwood 4imprint (asi/197045) |
3 | 6 | 20 & 7 |
| 10 | Larry Zavadil & Justin Zavadil ASB (asi/120075) |
8 | 2 | 20 & 12 |
| 11 | Jay Deutsch BDA (asi/137616) |
10 | 1 | 20 |
| 12 | Lance Stier & David Miller NC Custom (asi/44900) |
11 | 1 | 8 |
| 13 | David Doctorow Custom Ink (asi/173232) |
NA | new | 0 |
| 14 | Lori Bauer iPROMOTEu (asi/232119) |
18 | 4 | 2 |
| 15 | Ira Neaman & Rob Watson Vantage Apparel (asi/93390) |
16 | 1 | 20 & 2 |
| 16 | John Bruellman & Kevin Walsh Showdown Displays (asi/87188) |
13 | 3 | 6 |
| 17 | Memo Kahan & Kate Alavez PromoShop (asi/300446) |
21 | 4 | 9 & 2 |
| 18 | Craig Nadel & Debbie Abergel Nadel (asi/279600) |
14 | 4 | 14 & 9 |
| 19 | Pierre Montaubin Koozie Group (asi/40480) |
20 | 1 | 3 |
| 20 | Carleen Gray GroupeSTAHL (asi/88984) |
12 | 8 | 8 |
| 21 | Trevor Gnesin & Clive Goldberg Logomark (asi/67866) |
15 | 6 | 20 & 2 |
| 22 | Jake Himelstein BAMKO (asi/131431) |
17 | 5 | 4 |
| 23 | Andrew Titus & Walter Miska UFG/Fully Promoted (asi/384000) |
22 | 1 | 3 & 0 |
| 24 | Mitch Freed Genumark (asi/204588) |
19 | 5 | 4 |
| 25 | Tej Shah Overture Promotions (asi/288473) |
29 | 4 | 1 |
| 26 | Josh Militello & Mark Gammon PCNA (asi/66887) |
NA | new | 0 |
| 27 | Brandon Mackay & Brittany David SnugZ USA (asi/88060) |
23 | 4 | 15 & 8 |
| 28 | Glenn Chamandy Gildan (asi/56842) |
NA | new | 10 |
| 29 | David Schneiderman & Bill Feldberg Something Inked (asi/329822) |
33 | 4 | 3 & 0 |
| 30 | Bill Korowitz & Dan Jellinek The Magnet Group (asi/68507) |
25 | 5 | 18 & 2 |
| 31 | Chris Lee Brand Addition (asi/202515) |
26 | 5 | 7 |
| 32 | Andy Shape Stran Promotional Solutions (asi/337725) |
27 | 5 | 4 |
| 33 | Susan Lewandowski | 35 | 2 | 2 |
| 34 | Chris Vernon & Lisa Hubbard The Vernon Company (asi/351700) |
30 | 4 | 20 & 4 |
| 35 | Jodie Schillinger Maple Ridge Farms (asi/68680) |
45 | 10 | 2 |
| 36 | Randy Carr World Emblem (asi/98264) |
43 | 7 | 1 |
| 37 | Heather Smartt Goldstar (asi/73295) |
40 | 3 | 2 |
| 38 | Ben Grossman Grossman Marketing Group (asi/215205)/SwagCycle |
39 | 1 | 3 |
| 39 | Samantha Kates Spector & Co. (asi/88660) |
44 | 5 | 1 |
| 40 | Taylor Tadmor Tekweld (asi/90807) |
31 | 9 | 2 |
| 41 | Yuhling Lu Ariel Premium Supply (asi/36730) |
36 | 5 | 3 |
| 42 | Joseph Sommer & Dominique Volker Whitestone (asi/359741) |
49 | 7 | 1 |
| 43 | Bill Gossman Staples Promotional Products (asi/120601) |
NA | new | 0 |
| 44 | Sandy Gonzalez MadeToOrder (asi/259540) |
42 | 2 | 4 |
| 45 | Aaron Hamer Boundless (asi/143717) |
41 | 4 | 2 |
| 46 | Teresa Fudenberg Storm Creek (asi/89879) |
47 | 1 | 2 |
| 47 | Jose Gomez Edwards Garment (asi/51752) |
48 | 1 | 2 |
| 48 | Joe Falcone The Sourcing Group (asi/330100) |
NA | new | 0 |
| 49 | Mitch Kaeser & Brad Kaeser Kaeser & Blair (asi/238600) |
46 | 3 | 2 |
| 50 | Millie Tadewaldt Brilliant (asi/146116) |
NA | new | 0 |
Meet several of the newcomers to this year’s list who are making their mark.
#13 David Doctorow
Custom Ink (asi/173232)
This intuitive deep thinker is transforming one of the industry’s e-commerce giants.
#26 Josh Militello & Mark Gammon
PCNA (asi/66887)
An industry newcomer and a promo veteran share one big priority: putting clients’ needs first.
#28 Glenn Chamandy
Gildan (asi/56842)
Fired from the company he started four decades ago, this apparel executive is back and taking big swings.
#43 Bill Gossman
Staples Promotional Products (asi/120601)
Experience is helping this company insider lead a distributor approaching $1 billion in sales.
#48 Joe Falcone
The Sourcing Group (asi/330100)
Hustle and an eye for the next big opportunity have defined this promo lifer’s career.
#50 Millie Tadewaldt
Brilliant (asi/146116)
With versatility and empathy, this savvy leader turned a one-woman gifting operation into a powerhouse.