During her 21 years with Barker Specialty Company (asi/132690), Karen Heiligman has worn a lot of hats. She’s worked in customer support, sales, and logistics, rising over time to director of fulfillment operations and vice president of operations.

Executives at the Connecticut distributorship, a Counselor 2024 Best Place to Work, say Heiligman has performed with aplomb in all those roles, and that’s why she’s earned a promotion to the C-Suite. Barker just named Heiligman chief operating officer.

Karen Heiligman, Barker Specialty Company (asi/132690)

“Karen is a strong leader and diligent worker,” said President Gerry Barker, son of Barker Specialty founders Herb and Gloria Barker. “Her innate commitment to succeed is one of her many impressive qualities, and her compassion, empathy and concern for others are traits that my mom recognized when she hired Karen.”

As COO, Heiligman will oversee Barker Specialty’s day-to-day operations, develop and execute strategic operational initiatives across the company, and work to expand international business opportunities through IGC Promotions, a global consortium of distributors who work together to administer worldwide programs. Barker is a partner within the consortium. 

“I’m excited to take on this new challenge and greatly appreciate everyone’s confidence in me,” said Heiligman, a graduate of Central Connecticut State University, where she competed on the swim team. “This business is difficult and has so many moving parts, but I’m determined to build on our 75-year history, while still maintaining our company values of respect for all, excellence in service and competitive pricing.”

After they married in the late 1940s, Herb and Gloria Barker began selling souvenir salt and pepper shakers up and down the Atlantic coast. Soon enough, they were fielding requests for custom products and “tangible advertising,” so in 1951, they founded what would become Barker Specialty.

Seven decades later, the Barker legacy remains strong: The company was Counselor’s 2022 Family Business of the Year. In June of 2023, Barker Specialty announced that it was the first North American promo products distributor to partner with Sweden-based lifestyle brand and certified B Corp Agood Company, offering its environmentally friendly products to buyers. Employees say the three words that best describe the company are “innovative,” “passionate” and “collaborative.”