Lifetime Achievement

ANDY RUSSICK VP of Sales & Marketing Pacific Coast Producers

In his 35-year career, Andy Russick has played a major role in the development, expansion and improvement of canned fruit and tomato private label programs in grocery and foodservice. Through his innovative leadership, Pacific Coast Producers (PCP) went from a small copacker to a premier produce company that has reached $1 billion in sales.

One of Russick’s achievements includes being an innovator in fruit bowl growth. What is now a staple in kids’ lunches across America started as a small co-pack agreement between Dole and Pacific Coast Producers. After Dole moved production overseas, Russick built a private brand program in support of the American farmer that is now in most grocery stores and school cafeterias. He also pushed for non-BPA packaging for these products before many regulations were in place.

Russick said that this initiative, like others, was especially important to him because of the initial lack of reception.

“Time has proven that we were right to market both lines of products and what was once a belittled notion by many are now ‘must-haves’ in virtually every grocery store and alternative format from coast-to-coast,” he said. “My good friend and fellow sales manager, Linton Hall, would frequently tell me and the rest of our team that we should never consider any negative feedback as rejection, but rather we should realize that we are simply 19 or 20 no’s closer to a yes.”

One of Russick’s other accomplishments includes effectively applying for Specialty Crop grants from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The first grant PCP received was for launching a new product, and a subsequent grant was to expand markets for another product. Russick proposed a grant simply for marketing fruits, and prior to his initiative, private brand manufacturers did not consider themselves eligible for a government marketing grant.

Russick insisted that it was up to PCP to become the advocate for canned fruits and tomatoes generally, and especially for the private label segment. PCP was awarded the grant, and this was the formal launch of the company’s marketing efforts.

Looking ahead, Russick looks to continue PCP’s growth, with new product launches on the horizon, including Californiagrown Mandarin orange canned and bowl line along with a foodservice and retail apple and applesauce line.

“My goal for the rest of my career will be to make sure that the PCP team continues improving every year and that our customers more thoroughly appreciate our value, knowledge, quality, relevance and professionalism,” said Russick.

JILL SANDO EVP and Chief Merchandising Officer Target

As the chief merchandising officer for one of America’s most popular private label assortments, Target’s Jill Sando oversees the retailer’s five merchandising categories including apparel and accessories, beauty and essentials, and home and hardlines. During her time with the company, Sando’s leadership has led to a fan-favorite collection of own brands that help differentiate Target from other retailers.

Sando’s team credits her keen eye for trends, curation and anticipation of guests’ needs as keys to her success. Sando herself said that her passion for retail and merchandising started when she was young.

“I grew up in retail,” said Sando. “My mother owned a small kitchen boutique, so I became familiar with the industry early in my life. I have always loved analytics and problemsolving – and I loved art and fashion, too. I feel so fortunate because I was able to do the best problem-solving by finding a profession firmly rooted in my areas of passion.”

Target has leaned into private label in the past few years, launching several new owned brands including the latest brand, Future Collective. This innovative apparel and accessories owned brand features collections in partnership with a rotating roster of style and cultural influencers, with the newest partner, stylist Gabriella KarefaJohnson, being part of Target’s Racial Equity Action and Change (REACH) initiative. Other notable brand releases include Target’s Mondo Llama arts and crafts brand, as well introduction of sensory-friendly and adaptive pieces across owned brands such as Cat & Jack, Universal Thread and Hyde & EEK! Boutique, embodying Target’s “design for all” ethos. These inventive new offerings, paired with the retailer’s ever-growing food and beverage catalog, have helped Target’s own brand portfolio reach $30 billion.

In addition to overseeing new product releases, Sando played a pivotal role in the introduction of the Target Zero initiative that responded to growing guest interest in products that help reduce waste. Supporting Target’s sustainability strategy, Target Forward, Target Zero has included several products from the retailer’s private brands.

“My goal going forward is to continue encouraging my team to dream bigger and achieve more to help elevate the next generation of Target merchandising,” said Sando. “I want to build up the next generation of merchants and help them to become the best they can be. I am also extremely focused on continuing to identify opportunities to reinforce Target’s values within our strategy, driving progress around Target Forward and our REACH commitments, to co-create an equitable and regenerative future together with our guests, partners and communities.”

BRENDA LORD VP of Private Brands CVS Health

In her long and tenured career, Brenda Lord, VP of Private Brands at CVS Health, has spent the majority of her work in retail building brands. From strategy to sourcing, design and marketing, Lord has had a knack for creating unique and innovative private brands.

She began her career as a buyer for Ames Department stores, then worked for Staples, Test Rite Products and now CVS Health. She has built brands, led large teams and driven large portfolios from top-to-bottom with continued success. Since joining CVS Health in 2018, Lord has led the growth of the chain’s Our Brands division, and is now responsible for the chain’s $5 billion store brand portfolio.

One of Lord’s major and more recent achievements was the partnership and launch of the CVS Health by Michael Graves Design collection, which in February of 2022 brought innovation and a customer-first mindset to the market. Offering supportive care without compromise, the collection of comfort grip canes, easy-fold travel walkers, convertible shower chairs and more help give customers simple, customizable and ergonomic tools to live and move in comfort. The line was awarded an Innovation By Design citation by Fast Company magazine. While innovating and elevating CVS’ private brands, she also nourished her family, friends and faith as a long-term Girl Scout troop leader and active member of her community. Known for her customerfirst approach, Lord has led teams to make innovative moves and has provided an environment that encourages her team to be bold and fearless, according to members of her CVS team.

She pushes teams to deliver more, aim higher and not be afraid to take risks or imagine the impossible. Given the pharmacy chain’s success, it’s easy to see why Lord is included in this year’s Private Label Hall of Fame class.

NANCY RAGOZZINO President

Ragozzino Foods

Having been involved with her family’s Connecticut-based frozen entree business for 40 years, Nancy Ragozzino has held several positions at Ragozzino Foods before taking over as president of the private label supplier in 2014.

“I always knew I wanted to work at the family business, but started my career as national accounts for restaurant chains, but in order to diversify our portfolio we moved into the retail arena,” said Ragozzino. “I love both segments of the business.”

With experience in research & development and quality assurance under her belt, Ragozzino now serves as president and as the only salesperson for a business that produces private label products for notable retailers such as Walmart, H-E-B, Publix and Wegmans.

Ragozzino has also used her network to create relationships with several celebrities to help them bring their ideas to life. Starting with R&B icon Patti Labelle’s line of frozen foods, her passion and commitment turned into a stream of clients by celebrities, agents and buyers who know her as the one who can deliver quality products.

As a hands-on leader, she starts her days ensuring the manufacturing plant gets running on a high note, and then bounces throughout the building ensuring all her teams are firing on all cylinders, knowing the most complex details about every aspect of the business.

Looking ahead, Ragozzino said she has no plans of retiring soon, and looks to continue growing the family business, leading by example for the company’s employees.

“I owe all my success to my many loyal customers and employees. Ragozzino Foods is grateful for both and would not be where we are without either,” said Ragozzino. “We have received several awards over the years and it’s such a great feeling being recognized as going above and beyond, where in the end I am just doing my job. My personal goals are to be able to teach the next generation what I have learned over the years.”

ANDREA COLLARO Senior Director, Owned Brands

Walgreens

With oversight of more than a dozen private brands that encompass more than 4,500 items, the product development efforts at Walgreens led by Andrea Collaro have touched consumers across the U. S. and earned her recognition as a 2023 Private Label Hall of Fame honoree in the Private Brand Champion category.

Starting her professional career as a pharmacist, she would often recommend private brand products to customers, understanding each product’s equivalency to national brands, their efficacy and the value they offered.

“Originally, I wanted to be a lawyer,” she said. “Working for my brother Ben (who is also a pharmacist) as his pharmacy technician is how I became interested in pharmacy. The first day on the job I loved it and switched my focus to being a pharmacist.”

Collaro also points to her brother as the person who had the greatest influence on her career.

“My approach to taking care of consumers is emulated off of how he interacted with patients,” she said. “He remembered everyone’s name and their story and treated everyone with respect. I loved that approach and to this day I do the same.”

Her experience as a pharmacist put her on path for success at Walgreens. Today, Collaro spearheads product development across several divisions including health & wellness, beauty, personal care, grocery & household, and seasonal & general merchandise.

The success she has enjoyed stems largely from Collaro being a lifelong learner who is willing to take chances and reach beyond her comfort zone.