Barker Specialty (asi/132690), the 2022 Counselor Distributor Family Business of the Year, has promoted three employees to key leadership roles and hired its first human resources manager.

The Cheshire, CT-headquartered firm that’s been in business for more than 70 years announced the appointments as follows:

• Amy Serrano, to chief revenue officer

• Alex D. Bowen, to director of sales

• Chelsea Fishman, to director of marketing

• Sara Pajor, hired as human resources manager

“These positions reflect our commitment to fostering talent from within, while also welcoming fresh perspectives,” said company President Gerry Barker. “Our continued growth is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our team.”

From left: Amy Serrano, Alex D. Bowen, Chelsea Fishman and Sara Pajor

Serrano has been with Barker Specialty for seven years. During that time, she’s grown her own book of business and facilitated vendor relations, created new proprietary business tools and led marketing. “Her ability to understand and assess a situation and develop a clear strategic path forward is the notable skill set Barker Specialty sought when creating this position,” the company said.

With Barker Specialty for more than a decade, Bowen has been a top salesperson for the distributorship. “His track record for excellence, combined with his strong leadership skills and strategic sales tactics, will be a valuable asset to further growth,” the firm said.

Fishman joined Barker Specialty in 2016 and has been a leading salesperson, while also planning and executing marketing campaigns, supporting companywide events and, most recently, leading the firm’s rebranding.

Pajor has about a decade’s worth of human resources experience. She will oversee the management of premium employee benefits, provide employee training on diverse topics, lead onboarding initiatives and aid in general employee-engagement efforts.

After they married in the late 1940s, Herb and Gloria Barker began selling souvenir salt and pepper shakers up and down the Atlantic coast. Soon enough, they were fielding requests for custom products and “tangible advertising,” so in 1951, they founded what would become Barker Specialty. Seven decades later, the Barker legacy remains strong, with son and company president Gerry Barker at the helm.

In June, Barker Specialty announced that it’s the first North American promo products distributor to partner with Sweden-based lifestyle brand and certified B Corp Agood Company, offering its environmentally friendly products to promo buyers.