Private Label Hall of Fame Welcomes 16 New Members

The Private Label Hall of Fame has 16 new members following an induction ceremony held at the PLMA 2024 Annual Meeting & Leadership Conference in San Antonio.

The new hall of famers in the Class of 2024 are included in four categories: Lifetime Achievement, Private Brand Champion, Private Brand Innovator and Next Gen Private Label Leader. 

The Lifetime Achievement category pays tribute to those who, over the span of their careers, have distinguished themselves as a leader of store brand development and innovation. Private Brand Champion recognizes those with a track record of developing successful initiatives that lead to category growth and who have vision and determination that cut through barriers and obstacles.

The Private Brand Innovator category awards those who have demonstrated out-of-the-box decision making leading to a new way of doing business, while the Next Gen Private Label Leader category recognizes those who are under the age of 40 and have grown their businesses through innovative thinking.

“We’re thrilled to honor this incredible group of men and women for their excellence in these four important categories,” said Peggy Davies, president of PLMA. “They truly deserve this special recognition for going above and beyond in their contributions.” 

The Class of 2024 includes: 

Lifetime Achievement

• Clay Dockery, Vice President, Private Label and Co-Manufacturing, Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA 
• Peter Kroner, Managing Partner, Marketing Concepts Group
• Edward P. Salzano, President, EDNJ Associates
• John W. Solomon, The Kroger Co. (Retired)

Private Brand Champion

• Nils Clement, Founder and CEO, Euro Caps BV
• Pam Ofri, Senior Director of Own Brands, Wakefern Food Corp.
• Jac Ross, Vice President, Sprouts Brand, Sprouts Farmers Market
• Nick Scangas, President and Chief Operating Officer, Cedar’s Mediterranean Foods

Private Brand Innovator

• Pascale Courtemanche, R&D Director, Plats du Chef, C.H. Guenther & Son 
• Jackie Li, Senior Vice President, Private Brands and Global Sourcing, Dollar General
• Dr. Rakesh Rathore, Chief Operating Officer, TrueChoicePack
• Brooke Rice, Senior Director of Own Brands, Southeastern Grocers

Next Gen Private Label Leader

• William Crosby, EVP, Crosby Foods Ltd.
• Hope Lenhart, Director of Brand Management for Essentials, Beauty and Hardlines, Target
• Chad Mallory, Senior Product Manager, Amazon Fresh Private Brand 
• Mohan Valluri, Vice President of Sales and R&D, Alamance Foods

Presented by PLMA and Store Brands, the Private Label Hall of Fame was created in 2006 to recognize high achievers and thought leaders who have made significant contributions in their own organizations, as well as those who have set standards of excellence and accomplishment throughout the industry. 

Retailers, manufacturers and suppliers, wholesalers, members of the press, market researchers and consultants were among the potential candidates.

Profiles on all inductees will be featured on StoreBrands.com in a special digital section in April and posted in the Hall of Fame section of plma.com.