Maria Acquarola’s star is on the rise.

In the few years since joining Philadelphia-based promotional products supplier Pop! Promos (asi/45657), Acquarola has risen from a sales support role to vice president of sales. Pop! announced Acquarola’s promotion to the VP position on Monday, March 7.

Maria Acquarola, Pop! Promos

“It’s been a thrill witnessing Maria’s growth,” said Erin Reilly, CEO of Pop! Promos. “From the very beginning, it’s been clear Maria works tirelessly to improve not only her abilities, but the company as a whole. We look forward to seeing what her future has to hold.”

Acquarola originally planned to be a doctor, but after a fun and successful 2017 internship at Pop! she decided her future lay with the company and the promo market.

In 2018, she started in sales support and within three months earned a couple of promotions to account executive. Last year, she won the company’s “Act Like an Owner” award, which recognized her hard work and excellent performance.

“It’s been energizing to grow with Pop! Promos,” Acquarola said. “From my sales internship to my role now as VP of sales, I’m excited to have the opportunity to prove my leadership skills and progress into a role where I know I’ll thrive.”  

Outside work, Acquarola is in her fourth season serving as head dance coach at La Salle University. Her team performs regularly at basketball games – both at the university and during Philadelphia 76ers basketball games.

Acquarola does not replace anyone; hers is a straight promotion, the company said.

Pop! Promos specializes in making Pantone-match full-color products from scratch. Reilly, along with company co-founder Sterling Wilson, were Counselor magazine’s 2018 Supplier Entrepreneurs of the Year. Pop! has previously appeared on the Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing companies.