Strategy November 18, 2022
2022 Power 50
Learn more about this year’s roster of innovators, risk-takers and visionaries who are defining the future of promo.
First it was tariffs. Then it was COVID. After that it was supply chain.
The crises seem to be never-ending – especially for promotional products companies. It’s in these times that the leaders of our industry have stepped up again and again. They’ve steadied the ship, devised solutions, protected their people and mapped out the path to success, no matter the obstacles.
We once again honor these leaders – the most influential people in promo – with the Counselor Power 50.
The creation of the Power 50 starts with voting by last year’s members along with nominations of potential new members from industry pros. Then, we gauge each candidate based on their accomplishments over the past year as well as their career-long track record. There are 11 newcomers to this year’s list – young leaders and fresh thinkers who join a group that is challenging the status quo and fearlessly driving the industry into a new era that prizes technology, sustainability, diversity and unbridled creativity. Come meet this year’s Power 50.
Scroll down to learn more about some of this year’s new members and see our full Power 50 list. In the list, click on the links in red to read more about each Power 50 honoree.
Spotlight Profiles
2022 Rank: 18
Jake Himelstein
BAMKO (asi/131431)
2022 Rank: 43
Daron Hines
Staples Promotional Products (asi/120601)
2022 Rank: 49
Britney Godsey
Gold Bond (asi/57653)
Counselor Power 50
| 2022 rank | Name/Company | 2021 rank | Rank change | Previous times on Power 50 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeremy Lott SanMar, asi/84863 |
4 | 3 | 9 |
| 2 | Jo-an Lantz Geiger, asi/202900 |
3 | 1 | 16 |
| 3 | Marc Simon HALO Branded Solutions, asi/356000 |
5 | 2 | 16 |
| 4 | Jonathan Isaacson Gemline, asi/56070 |
2 | 2 | 16 |
| 5 | Greg Muzzillo & Vera Muzzillo Proforma, asi/300094 |
6 | 1 | 16 |
| 6 | CJ Schmidt Hit Promotional Products, asi/61125 |
11 | 5 | 12 |
| 7 | Larry Zavadil & Justin Zavadil American Solutions for Business, asi/120075 |
10 | 3 | 16 & 8 |
| 8 | Dan Pantano alphabroder, asi/34063 |
15 | 7 | 1 |
| 9 | Chris Anderson HPG, asi/61966 |
9 | same | 3 |
| 10 | Sai Koppaka & Alan Tabasky DiscountMugs.com, asi/181120 |
8 | 2 | 6 & 8 |
| 11 | Kevin Lyons-Tarr & Suzanne Worwood 4imprint, asi/197045 |
7 | 4 | 16 & 3 |
| 12 | Jim Shannon S&S Activewear, asi/84358 |
12 | same | 2 |
| 13 | Jon Norris Starline USA Inc., asi/89320 |
20 | 7 | 3 |
| 14 | John Bruellman & Kevin Walsh Showdown Displays, asi/87188 |
16 | 2 | 2 |
| 15 | Ross Silverstein iPROMOTEu, asi/232119 |
14 | 1 | 16 |
| 16 | Craig Nadel & Debbie Abergel Nadel, asi/279600 |
17 | 1 | 10 & 5 |
| 17 | Ashley McCune Facilisgroup |
19 | 2 | 2 |
| 18 | Jake Himelstein BAMKO, asi/131431 |
N/A | N/A | 0 |
| 19 | Ira Neaman Vantage Apparel, asi/93390 |
13 | 6 | 16 |
| 20 | Lance Stier & David Miller NC Custom, asi/44900 |
25 | 5 | 4 |
| 21 | Chris Blakeslee & Megan Spire BELLA+CANVAS, asi/39590 |
24 & N/A | 3 | 9 & 0 |
| 22 | Nancy Schmidt AIA Corp., asi/109480 |
23 | 1 | 2 |
| 23 | Jay Deutsch BDA, asi/137616 |
21 | 2 | 16 |
| 24 | Brandon Mackay & Brittany David SnugZ USA, asi/88060 |
18 | 6 | 11 & 4 |
| 25 | Mark Freed & Mitch Freed Genumark, asi/204588 |
27 & N/A | 2 | 5 & 0 |
| 26 | Trevor Gnesin Logomark, asi/67866 |
30 | 4 | 16 |
| 27 | Alan Vaught Evans Manufacturing, asi/52840 |
35 | 8 | 14 |
| 28 | Bill Korowitz The Magnet Group, asi/68507 |
22 | 6 | 14 |
| 29 | David Klatt & Melissa Ralston Koozie Group, asi/40480 |
39 | 10 | 4 & 1 |
| 30 | Eric Simsolo & Jason Buchanan Next Level Apparel, asi/73867 |
33 & N/A | 3 | 2 & 0 |
| 31 | Jo Gilley Overture Promotions, asi/288473 |
36 | 5 | 3 |
| 32 | Michael Brugger Fully Promoted, asi/384000 |
41 | 9 | 1 |
| 33 | Carleen Gray GroupeSTAHL North America |
37 | 4 | 4 |
| 34 | Neil Ringel Polyconcept, asi/78897 |
49 | 15 | 1 |
| 35 | Derek Block Touchstone, asi/345631 |
43 | 8 | 6 |
| 36 | Nikki Stella AIM Smarter, asi/522700 |
34 | 2 | 2 |
| 37 | Chris Vernon & Lisa Hubbard The Vernon Company, asi/351700 |
44 & N/A | 7 | 16 & 0 |
| 38 | Memo Kahan PromoShop, asi/300446 |
47 | 9 | 5 |
| 39 | Marc Katz Custom Ink |
26 | 13 | 4 |
| 40 | Sandy Gonzalez MadeToOrder, asi/259540 |
46 | 6 | 1 |
| 41 | Tracey Barton Deluxe/Safeguard, asi/178720/316203 |
42 | 1 | 4 |
| 42 | Dilip Bhavnani Sunscope, asi/90075 |
38 | 4 | 6 |
| 43 | Daron Hines Staples Promotional Products, asi/120601 |
N/A | N/A | 0 |
| 44 | Kurt Kaeser & Liza Sachs Kaeser & Blair, asi/238600 |
31 & N/A | 13 | 16 & 0 |
| 45 | Andy Shape Stran & Company, asi/337725 |
N/A | N/A | 0 |
| 46 | Catherine Monson FastSigns, asi/395000 |
29 | 17 | 3 |
| 47 | Mark Graham & Catherine Graham commonsku |
48 | 1 | 5 |
| 48 | Dale Denham PPAI |
50 | 2 | 1 |
| 49 | Britney Godsey Gold Bond, asi/57653 |
N/A | N/A | 0 |
| 50 | Michael Scott Cohen & Jon Alagem Harper + Scott, asi/220052 |
N/A | N/A | 0 |
N/A=not applicable, new to list