Welcome to the 2018 Power 50 list, which ranks the most influential people in the industry.

#16 Rich Witaszak, Staples Promotional Products (asi/120601)

2017 Rank: 11
Title: VP/GM
Industry Experience: 16 years

Witaszak is a steady hand at the industry’s second-largest distributor, presiding over what’s historically been one of Staples Inc.’s best performing divisions. Witaszak’s drop in our rankings is for two reasons: his firm’s 2017 flat sales and peer scores that continue to place him outside the top tier of industry influencers. Staples Inc.’s recent deal for office supply company Essendant could boost SPP and Witaszak’s standing in 2019.