R ’S M RE

“This approach has served me well throughout my career,” she said. “I started out as a pharmacist in our stores, first-hand taking care of patients in need. I use that background every day in my job, which guarantees that I put the customer at the heart of what I do.”

With oversight across multiple product categories, Collaro said it’s difficult to pinpoint a specific project that gives her the most pride.

“I have developed a lot of Owned Brand products directly or led teams to do so across platforms of unmet needs,” she said. “The development of our Free & Pure Vitamin and Supplement line as well as our medical device platform are great examples of leading a team of great product development managers.”

As she looks ahead to the next stage of her career, she feels the sky’s the limit.

“My future goals are simple: continue to challenge myself and push into new territories and encourage my team to do the same,” she said. “Regardless of what role I am in, the goal will be to develop products and services that meet and exceed the needs of our consumers. Strong partnerships both internal and external will enable this ambition.”

SHANE BROWN Director, Own Brand Sourcing Giant

Eagle

Talk to Shane Brown about private brands and the work he’s done at Giant Eagle, and his passion for the business is quite evident.

A 2023 Private Label Hall of Fame honoree in the Private Brand Champion category, Brown oversees the grocer’s Own Brand sourcing operation. During his tenure at Giant Eagle, he is cited by colleagues as the driving force behind the company’s private label success and expansion of its supplier base. Today, the regional grocery chain has nearly 600 supplier relationships and contracts that contributed to its private brand efforts.

“I love working in the private label industry and I don’t see myself moving away from it anytime soon,” Brown said. “I love working with vendors, and negotiating amazing deals with cost savings to pass along to our customers in the form of amazing deals.”

Those who work closely with Brown talk about the impact he’s had on Giant Eagle’s private label efforts and has been a champion of change. He is lauded for providing perspective and guidance to teams across merchandising and finance to help convey the benefits of developing and growing and the company’s private brands program.

Retail, however, was not Brown’s first calling. His college studies focused on hospitality as he targeted a career in the hotel industry. But advice from a friend changed his career path.

“After I graduated, a friend of mine told me about a grocery store chain that was hiring and thought I should interview,” he said. “Once I interviewed for Aldi, I knew that it was something I needed to pursue, and I’m glad I made the decision.”

He pointed to his first supervisor, Tom Becek, as the person who had a major impact on his career.

“I was 18 when I started working at (Becek’s) hotel, and he mentored me and gave me so many opportunities for someone my age,” he said. “I was very young when he put me into the Manager Training Program. Tom really took an interest in my career and for nine years, helped develop my leadership skills. I owe him my entire career.”

The move from hospitality to retail with a spot in Aldi’s Corporate Buying Department led to a memorable moment in Brown’s career. He was given an opportunity to overhaul and develop the grocer’s assortment of nuts and dried fruit, two categories that at the time were less than familiar to him.

“In the first year, I was able to work with current vendors to develop the entire program,” he said. “I then took the next several years to increase the supplier base to continue to develop the category. I created many valuable partnerships during that time, and I still work with several of those partners today in my new role.”

— Shane Brown, Giant Eagle

During her tenure, Nicolosi and her team have pushed the idea that private brands can be strategic initiatives and offer superior products that contribute to an exclusive retail experience for consumers in a way national brands cannot.

“If done well, (private brands) can create unique opportunities for retailers to connect with customers, create loyalty, and drive traffic, all the while creating revenue streams that were previously overlooked,” said Nicolosi, a 2023 Private Label Hall of Fame Honoree in the Private Brand Champion category.

KRISTIE NICOLOSI President & CEO The Kingswood Company

Jewelry care may not be the first product category that comes to mind when thinking about private label products. But for nearly 20 years, it has been a passion for Kristie Nicolosi, president & CEO of The Kingswood Company.

Retail and the GPG world were not on her mind early in her career. After graduating college, Nicolosi worked in public accounting and financial services for a decade. That changed in 2005 when she purchased Kingswood.

“I truthfully did not anticipate how challenging and rewarding consumer goods would be,” she said. “It is a complex and global industry, with tremendous opportunity for growth, innovation and excellence.”

Over the following 18 years, Nicolosi had driven Kingswood’s expansion beyond its base of U. S.-based retail jewelers to now include e-commerce channels, direct sales companies, pawn stores, big-box retailers and international retailers and distributors. The company’s products today are distributed on six continents and to more than 12,000 doors worldwide.

She attributed her success to the support received from family, friends, colleagues, mentors, customers and suppliers.

“I have been inspired by my parents, my husband and my daughters, and the many talented people that are on our team, and feel grateful for my health and education as well,” Nicolosi said.

Looking toward the future, Nicolosi said her company is continuing on its path with planning international expansion, development of new products and increased capacity and customization options for its customers. Additionally, she said her next challenge as a leader and entrepreneur is to further develop the company’s people, processes and technology as key components to reaching a next level of growth.

“As one of our core values, we are investing not just in our company, but in ourselves through increased budgets for training, professional, technical and leadership development,” she said. “We recognize that as our company grows, this creates new opportunities for each of us, and we want to be the company of choice for our team members that want to continue to learn, develop, and grow.”

JILL CLARK Vice President, Sales & Marketing Dutch Gold Honey

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.”

Roger Scommegna Ceo

Flying Blue Imports

The private label wine segment continues to grow and as it does, the category will need innovative thinking to grab the attention of consumers who are looking for a quality varietal at a good value.

A 2023 Private Label Hall of Fame honoree in the Private Brand Innovator category, Roger Scommenga, CEO of Flying Blue Imports, is cited as a leader in creating unique approaches to connecting consumers with wines sold under various private brands. Among the many platitudes he received for his work in the segment, Scommenga

Thank

Congratulations to Anthony Cera for being inducted into the Private Label Hall of Fame as one of the Next Generation Private Label Leaders! Anthony has been with SpartanNash for over 13 years and has been pivotal in positioning OwnBrands for growth, including the flagship brand Our Family.

Anthony Cera

OwnBrands Manager, Perishables

is credited with curating an international collection of wines to create an “adventure” for consumers. This included unique varietals, unexpected regions, and interesting labels, along with a social media campaign to enhance the connection with consumers.

The world of retail/consumer goods caught his eye at a young age as the industry’s constant changes fit well with his personality.

“What has always fascinated me was how the industry is constantly evolving, with new products, trends, and technologies emerging all the time,” he said. “There is always something new to learn. I also love the thought of being able to have a direct impact on consumers by providing goods that people use and enjoy on a daily basis.”

With a Hall of Fame honor now under his belt, Scommenga said there have been a combination of factors that have led to his success.

“Keeping a perpetual focus on creating highquality products that appeal to consumers,” he said. “My products gained a loyal following by being wellcrafted, unique, and competitively priced. The next important factor would be relationships. Building strong relationships with retailers, distributors, and other industry professionals is crucial.”

He also pointed to his creativity in developing new products and marketing strategies, along with having a strong understanding of business principles as key underpinnings of his success.

While Scommenga has utilized his talents to build a successful career, he said his father – a physician –has a major influence on how he does business today.

“I learned traits and skills from my father and applied them to my own profession,” he said. “My father had excellent communication skills, which are essential in any sales job. He also had a deep understanding of the importance of building relationships and trust with his patients, which is a trait that I applied to building relationships with my customers. Additionally, his work in the medical field instilled a desire in me to help people.”

And as he moves forward in his career, Scommenga has a few straightforward goals.

“I want to constantly improve my knowledge and skills to stay relevant in a rapidly changing business landscape,” he said. “I also have a desire to create opportunities for others to succeed and I desire to give back to my community and to make a positive impact on the world. I would also like to put a greater priority on my personal life, spending more time with my family and pursuing projects near and dear to my heart.”