There are moments in our personal and professional lives when we must make a decision. This year’s Counselor Awards recipients faced those moments, made the hard choices and took the road less traveled. It set them on the path to success …. and into the same hallowed space as many of promo’s greatest luminaries. Consider the backstories of some of this year’s honorees:
- The longtime distributor leader who had a desire to make his company a Top 40 player – and boldly took it public on the stock market to get there.
- The young duo who committed to the promo industry and are now creating some of the highest profile merch collaborations.
- The supplier exec who blurted out on live TV her intention to donate $5 million to charity, and then doubled down on that promise.
- The humble kid from Iowa who took an interest in gifts of Smucker’s jelly ... and followed that curiosity to become the architect of the modern promo industry.
Read our stories of their bold swings and consider the next time you face a monumental decision. What will you do?
International Person of the Year
Teresa Fang
alphabroder (asi/34063)
In her important sourcing role, Fang expertly navigated the worst that the global supply chain could throw at her.
Distributor Entrepreneurs of the Year
Michael Scott Cohen & Jon Alagem
Harper + Scott (asi/220052)
This dynamic pair is making their mark with high-profile merch collaborations and top-tier creativity.
Supplier Entrepreneur of the Year
William Lovelace
Diamondback Branding (asi/49546)
Entrepreneurship runs through the blood of this business owner, who started his first company at age 14.
Woman of Distinction
Mary Dobsch
The Chest (asi/44830)
The promo lifer has built a career out of supporting others and making distributors look good.
Technology Executive of the Year
Irwin Goldstein
HALO Branded Solutions (asi/356000)
This vocal digital integration proponent is helping his billion-dollar distributor reach new heights.
Distributor Family Business of the Year
Walker-Clay (asi/354530)
The Clay family has spent generations in the promo industry, staying true to its values and commitment to excellence.
Supplier Family Business of the Year
Burnside/Sierra Pacific (asi/87224)
Wolf Finkelman survived the Holocaust, emigrated to the U.S. and built a family and a company that spans generations.
Bess Cohn Humanitarian Award
Donna Raucher
Proforma GPS (asi/490714)
The Las Vegas woman regularly volunteers at Living Grace Homes, which provides transitional housing and other social services to young mothers.
Bess Cohn Humanitarian Award
Teresa Fudenberg
Storm Creek (asi/89879)
The CEO of the Eagan, MN-based sustainable apparel supplier says her company has committed to donating at least $5 million in charity by 2030.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Norman Cohn
Advertising Specialty Institute (asi/33020)
Through passion, curiosity and honesty, a kid from Iowa built the promo industry we know and love today.
ASI would like to thank the sponsors of this year’s Counselor Awards:
