27. Mark Freed

Genumark (asi/204588)

2020 Rank: 32 

Title: President/CEO

Industry Experience: 27 years

It’s been a stacked deck for Freed and Genumark, Canada’s largest distributorship. The pandemic has proved especially challenging up North due to prolonged shutdowns, inflation and rampant uncertainty, though high vaccination rates and passport programs in almost every province has finally spurred some optimism. Freed has Genumark poised to capture the resurging demand as his company pushes sales of locally made, sustainable products and takes advantage of kitting opportunities with the return-to-office delayed until early next year. Also noteworthy was Freed’s pre-pandemic move to acquire Ontario-based Rightsleeve. Freed’s peers gave him a high ranking due to his standing as a well-respected voice in the Canadian promo marketplace.