Zachary Tyler, CEO of distributor Creative Marketing Concepts (PPAI 144151) of San Francisco, California, and a 2012 PPB Rising Star, passed away earlier this month. He was 33.

Tyler had worked in sales since age 15, when he sold vacuums door-to-door for nearly four years. He joined CMC 14 years ago as a receptionist, and he worked his way up from lead generator to salesperson before purchasing a majority stake in 2013. Speaking about Tyler’s 2012 PPB Rising Star recognition, former CMC owner Mark Lillge said, “Zach is a great guy that has incredible energy, intelligence, integrity and commitment to his success. Others would be well-served to follow his lead, not only in sales but also as a manager.”

In 2012, Tyler told PPB that one of his goals was to grow CMC to a multi-location company. Following his passing, the company noted in a statement, “Under his leadership, CMC has more than doubled revenues and expanded its reach from the Bay Area to all 50 states, as well as Europe, where CMC has a joint venture in Prague.”

Tyler had an executive leadership plan in place, and Mike Hawk, who has served a board advisor and personal advisor to Tyler over the past three years, has stepped in to fill the CEO role at the company. Hawk has been CEO of 15 companies over 30 years, including CMC’s partner in Europe.

CMC requests that anyone wishing to honor Tyler’s memory support any of the three charities he loved: Best Buddies, The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County and The California Innocence Project.