PPB’s Rising Stars program is one of the magazine’s most popular and coveted honors spotlighting the industry’s up-and-coming leaders. This year’s program recognizes 19 individuals selected this week from nearly 90 nominations received from across the promotional products industry. Those who made the list did so based on their accomplishments, demonstrated leadership potential and involvement in the industry. PPB congratulates these honorees:

Kristi Catalanotto - Fully Promoted of Mandeville
Jake Director – Strideline
Julie Fritsch – Starline
Britney Godsey - Gold Bond
Eric Granata – ROBYN
Justin Gukeisen – SnugZ USA
Michael J. Harper - Summit Group
Tim Howe - Spectrum Designs Foundation
Aaron Kucherawy - commonsku
Meghan Kory – Hit Promotional Products
Jason Lucash – Origaudio
Ashley Moore Fens - American Solutions for Business/Weyh Roberts
Zack Ottenstein - The Image Group
Robert Russell - Strike Promo
Sarah Smith – Pop! Promos
Mike Szymczak – Origaudio
Ben Taylor - BamBams
Joshua White - BAMKO
Dustin Wicks - The Vernon Company

The Rising Stars will be recognized during the PPAI North American Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C., August 12-14, and profiled in PPB’s September issue.

“Every year the quality of these nominations astounds me,” says Editor Tina Berres Filipski, who has managed the program since its inception in 2010. “For those who’ve been wondering where the young people are in our industry—they are right under our noses. And they are amazing! I’m thrilled to have a program that shines a light on these young leaders who are making significant contributions to their companies and to the industry as well. I think our industry’s future is in very good hands.”