Fourteen of the most watchable young leaders will be profiled in PPB’s September cover story as this year’s Rising Stars. They were selected from among 81 individuals who were nominated by their supervisors, co-workers, clients, peers and vendors from across the promotional products industry. Among the qualities that propelled these 14 into the spotlight were their accomplishments on and off the job, coupled with demonstrated leadership potential through involvement in the industry and in their communities.

Since 2010, PPB has worked to identify and recognize the industry’s up-and-coming leaders, and the program has become one of the magazine’s most popular annual projects. In the past nine years, 124 industry professionals have been named PPB Rising Stars; among them is PPAI’s current chair of the board, Brittany David, MAS.

“This is a stellar group of individuals who are not only excelling within their jobs and helping take their companies to new heights of success, but they are providing outstanding leadership at the industry’s regional and national levels with involvement in a variety of organizations and events. They are also volunteering in their communities for causes they believe in,” says PPB Editor Tina Berres Filipski.

Congratulations to this year’s class of 2019 PPB Rising Stars:

Kate Alavez, PromoShop, Inc.
Taylor Borst, American Solutions for Business
Brian Deissroth, Vantage Apparel
Joe Douglas, Orbus Exhibit & Display
Caitlin Downing, Ariel Premium Supply, Inc.
Tosha Everhart, Sock 101
Amy Jean Fields, Barker Specialty Co.
Gabrielle Kaplan, The Magnet Group
Matthew Lamb, Facilisgroup
Katrina Marshall, Artistic Toys & Promotions, LLC
Sam Reed, Pacesetter Awards Co.
Trey Schaefer, CAS, Boost Branding Powered by HALO
Cola Svec, Soul & Swag, Inc.
JP Stratton, Bel USA, LLC