Industry News

Private Label Hall of Fame Names Record-Breaking Honorees

Induction is based on annual nominations offered by representatives of the industry in Private Brand Leadership Champion, Innovator, Next Generation and Lifetime Achievement.

Author Image

By: Lianna Albrizio

Associate Editor

A record number of 23 inductees joined the Private Label Hall of Fame Class of 2026 during a ceremony at PLMA’s Annual Meeting & Leadership Conference in Bentonville, Ark.

Since its inception in 2006, the Hall of Fame has honored 136 store brand industry leaders.

Induction in the Private Label Hall of Fame is based on annual nominations offered by representatives of the industry in the following categories:

Private Brand Leadership Champion;
Private Brand Leadership Innovator;
Private Brand Leadership – Next Gen (40 & under); and
Lifetime Achievement.

“We are proud to recognize this exceptional group of leaders whose contributions continue to strengthen and advance store brands,” said Peggy Davies, PLMA President. “From champions and innovators to emerging talent and lifetime achievers, each honoree reflects the collaboration, forward thinking, and commitment that help move our industry ahead.”

The 2026 Inductees

Private Brand Leadership Champion

Brianna Blanton, head of product commercialization, Amazon Worldwide Grocery Stores Private Brands;
Terri Fubio, vice president of Private Label Sales, DelGrosso Foods, Inc.;
Brian Hartshorn, Senior Vice President, General Merchandise Manager – Consumables, Dollar General;
Seth Malley, chief merchandising officer, Massmart, Walmart Africa; and
Gary Petersen, senior vice president of sales, Red Gold, LLC.

Private Brand Leadership Innovator

Anthony Bennie, founder & chief nutrition officer, Clear Conscience Pet, LLC;
Violeta Bingham, product development manager II in Merchandise, Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores;
Josh Jansen, category strategy manager, Frozen Treats and Frozen Meals, Our Brands, The Kroger Co.;
Dwight Richmond, director of Center Store and Own Brands, Town & Country Markets;
Michelle Turnbull, CEO, The Barking Bakery Limited; and
Hannah Williams, senior sourcing manager, Baking & Mixes, Walmart Inc.

Private Brand Leadership – Next Gen (40 & Under)

Caryn Czapran, director of sales, Rodelle, Inc.;
Haley Harvey, consumable private brands category manager, Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores;
Laura Smith, senior category strategy manager, The Kroger Co.;
Andrew Spiker, director, Private Brands Procurement, Hy-Vee, Inc.; and
Natalie Tabisz, senior category manager, Topco Associates LLC.

Lifetime Achievement

Robert Baker, senior vice president of sales, Olam Food Ingredients;
Steve Corsun, founder, Premier Brands of America Inc.;
John Farris, chairman of American Home Foods, Inc.;
Keith Hardy, national/key account manager, AJM Packaging Corporation;
Russell Kidd, former director of Product Development (Retired), Circle K Stores;
Anthony Schelich, senior partner & president, Marketing Concepts Group, Inc.;
Brad Studer, senior director of Our Brands, The Kroger Co.; and
Andrea Zweig Wagner, director of private brands – Brand Management & Design, Ahold Delhaize USA.

Additional information about the Private Label Hall of Fame and the professional profiles of the inductees will be featured on storebrands.com and posted on plma.com.

Keep Up With Our Content. Subscribe To Happi Newsletters