#34 Jim Hilt

HALO Branded Solutions (asi/356000) – CEO

2024 Rank: NR

Industry Experience: 2 months

Previous Appearances on Counselor Power 50: 0

Jim Hilt has some big shoes to fill. It was only a couple months ago that the industry outsider assumed the role of CEO at Counselor Top 40 distributor HALO Branded Solutions (asi/356000), tasked with replacing Counselor Power 50 mainstay Marc Simon. A two-time Counselor Person of the Year, Simon retired after leading HALO for nearly 25 years, a tenure highlighted by pulling the distributor out of bankruptcies and completing a series of major acquisitions and private equity sales that propelled HALO to over $1 billion in revenue at one point.

Hilt is off to a strong start and has ambitious plans for the Sterling, IL-based distributor. He aims to strengthen the company’s position as a platform that unites innovation and scale – already impressive with $964.7 million in revenue last year, making it the second-largest distributor in the promotional products industry.

“I want to lead in a way that builds a culture of collaboration, empowerment and excellence across the organization,” he says.

Hilt is no stranger to the C-Suite, with a resume that includes leadership roles at Shutterfly, Barnes & Noble and Express. He most recently served as the CEO of Asset Marketing Services, where he led the charge in implementing advanced technology platforms, expanded product categories and carried out the company’s sale to A-Mark Precious Metals.

Hilt is thrilled to be taking on a new challenge at HALO, a transition that he says has been energizing. “I’ve been inspired by the entrepreneurial drive of our account executives and the creativity of our teams,” he says. “My focus has been on harnessing that energy into a unified direction, where our people feel supported by the platform we’re building and confident in our shared growth path. I believe the best outcomes come when teams are empowered, clients are prioritized and innovation is embraced – all in service of delivering extraordinary brand experiences.”