News September 11, 2024
Edwards Garment Promotes Three to Sales Leadership Roles
The Counselor Top 40 firm said that Brian Deissroth, Chip Danby and Ronda Kokenge will be instrumental in driving growth.
Counselor Top 40 supplier Edwards Garment (asi/51752) has announced a hat trick of promotions.
The Kalamazoo, MI-headquartered apparel supplier has promoted Brian Deissroth to senior director of sales, promotional products and international; Chip Danby to vice president of sales, uniform and custom; and Ronda Kokenge to director of sales, key accounts and inside sales.
The promoted leaders will work closely with Edwards Garment President/CEO Jose Gomez to propel growth. The promotions come “after a deep review of the needs of our core channels to further enhance how we present Edwards as a company and its brands in different markets and how we continue adapting to the changing needs of those environments,” Gomez said.
Gomez added: “We are very excited about these promotions that bring experienced leaders like Chip, Brian and Ronda to head our sales teams in delivering results.”
Deissroth joined Edwards Garment in 2022 as director of national accounts, with his previous experience in promo including time as a regional sales director at Counselor Top 40 supplier Vantage Apparel (asi/93390). Since coming aboard at Edwards, Deissroth has spent much of his time traveling the United States, supporting Edwards’ national buying group partners, “spreading the new Edwards’ message of modern and contemporary,” the company said.
In his new role, Deissroth will focus on all promo products accounts and driving Edwards’ growth on an international level. “I am excited and looking forward to expanding our service levels and continuing to improve the experience of our partners,” he said.
Danby joined EdwardsX, Edwards Garment’s custom apparel division, in August of 2023 as division vice president of sales. He has more than 20 years of experience in the promo/apparel space, having worked at multiple Counselor Top 40 companies, among other leadership roles. He’s had success establishing EdwardsX as a custom apparel provider, and executives believe the story will be the same in the uniform accounts division, for which he’s now also responsible.
“We look forward to continuing to add value, building on the strengths of Edwards while enhancing the customer experience,” Danby said.
Kokenge has been with Edwards for six years. She began as a territory manager before transitioning into sales leadership. Her extensive sales background includes time as a national sales director at J.America (asi/62977). “Ronda’s role will increase, as she now manages key accounts, internal sales processes and the Edwards inside sales team,” the company said in a statement.
In business since 1867, Edwards Garment is a privately held and family-owned firm that specializes in providing solutions for uniform programs, including the apparel itself, as well as decoration and fulfillment services.
Based on reported 2023 North American promotional product revenue of $92.2 million, Edwards Garment ranked 21st on Counselor’s most recent list of the largest suppliers in the industry.