#25 Carleen Gray

GroupeSTAHL – CEO

2022 Rank: #33

Industry Experience: 25 Years

Previous Appearances on Power 50: 5

As the head of GroupeSTAHL, Carleen Gray already oversaw a vast network of employees and spearheaded the company’s domestic initiatives offering the latest decorating, print-on-demand and textile embellishment processes; but within the last year, Ted Stahl, founder of the company that bears his name, appointed Gray to run the entire global entity – domestic and overseas. It’s been a learning curve and an experience, but one that Gray has embraced enthusiastically and with aplomb, immersing herself in the European market, as Stahls’ has gained a greater foothold under Gray’s watch with European football clubs and the decoration of their vaunted and coveted apparel.

Gray and the team at Stahls’ just announced the acquisition of Fulfill Engine, a software company that specializes in order fulfillment, supply chain management and e-commerce store integration. Additionally, she’s made some moves at the top of the company (including naming Josh Ellsworth as its CRO) and is continuing to build the sense of community and success that’s evidenced by Stahls’ placement on Counselor’s 2022 Best Places to Work list. On a panel discussion at the GXN Conference held in September in Barcelona, international promo pros listened to Gray – who’s celebrating 25 years in the industry – explain in great detail how print-on-demand is a game-changer for all kinds of decorated items, but apparel in particular and the sports market specifically. The sales opportunities, she pointed out, are limitless.