2023 Private Label Hall of Fame: Jill Clark, Dutch Gold Honey
16 leaders from the world of private brands were recently honored as the newest inductees to the Private Label Hall of Fame.
During a ceremony held during the Private Label Manufacturers Association’s (PLMA) Annual Meeting & Leadership Conference in Orlando, Fla., members of the Class of 2023 shared stories of the challenges each has overcome to succeed in a highly competitive industry.
Created in 2006 to recognize those who have made significant contributions to the growth and development of the global private brand industry, this year’s event featured updated categories that each included two retail and two supplier honorees. The categories are Next Gen Private Label Leader, Private Brand Innovator, Private Brand Champion and Lifetime Achievement.
“We proudly celebrate the outstanding achievements of these proven leaders and innovators,” said Peggy Davies, president of PLMA. “Their hard work and dedication are instrumental to the success of the store brands business.”
“The 16 honorees represent the best of the best from across the world of private label and showcase the depth of talent the industry has to offer,” said Greg Sleter, executive editor and associate publisher of Store Brands. “This august group of retailers and suppliers have had a major impact on the private label business and will continue to do so in the years ahead.”
This special section features profiles of each of the new Hall of Famers.
Jill Clark
VP, Sales & Marketing
Dutch Gold Honey
Private Brand Champion
For more than 30 years, Jill Clark has led Dutch Gold Honey’s private brand manufacturing and marketing efforts and formed a host of relationships with key retailers that include leading grocery and warehouse club chains. Additionally, she has also worked with government agencies to protect the domestic honey industry.
A 2022 Private Label Hall of Fame honoree in the Private Brand Champion category, Clark is cited by colleagues for her knowledge and management of regional and national own brand programs. Additionally, she was a leading voice and developer of the True Source honey verification system and worked with several agencies within the federal government to thwart adulterated Chinese honey from coming into the U.S.
Clark admits that a successful career selling private brand honey to many of the nation’s biggest retailers is not something her younger self would have envisioned. But her success and level of expertise she had garnered stems from her personal drive and the support of many around her, which includes her family and co-workers.
“My family has supported me on a daily basis, which was not always easy when my children were younger and I had to travel,” she said. “The ownership and management at Dutch Gold also allowed me to step outside of long-standing comfort zones to pursue novel opportunities. And my colleagues at Dutch Gold teach me something new every day.”
One of her more memorable moments during her time at Dutch Gold was the company’s first honey bear shipper display, which was presented to Jerry Doepker of Kroger some 30 years ago.
“Jerry was willing to go out on a limb, but would only commit to 200 shippers,” she recalled. “Within two to three years, Kroger was selling nearly 10,000 honey bear shippers a year.”
As she looks ahead, Clark is hopeful that the profile of the True Source Honey Certification will continue to grow in the eyes of consumers. Products carrying this certification have passed a voluntary system of traceability and authenticity to show their sourcing practices are in full compliance with U.S. and international trade laws.
“Consumer outreach and education on these matters is not easy, but I will continue to devote my time and energy to these challenges,” she said. “Consumers are purchasing honey because they believe in the product, and I want to make sure their expectations of a pure and wholesome product are met.”