Hardware Retailing The Industry's Source for Insights and Information
The North American Hardware and Paint Association’s (NHPA) Young Retailer of the Year program is excited to celebrate 30 years of honoring up-and-coming retailers making a big impact in the independent channel. Since 1997, over 200 young retailers have been recognized, and Hardware Retailing had the opportunity to catch up with several of these retailers to hear what they’ve been up to since being named a YROTY honoree, how the award positively impacted their career and the ways they are continuing to influence their operations, communities and the channel.
Diana Newton
President, South Bay Hardware and Vice President, Bay Hardware and Lunada Bay Hardware
2018 Young Retailer of the Year
How did being named an NHPA Young Retailer of the Year honoree positively impact your career?
Being selected as a Young Retailer in 2018 is one of the most meaningful honors of my professional life. I consider this award as more of a testament to my team in what we accomplished together, as well as to Do it Best for their support in our operations. The recognition deepened my relationships throughout the industry and broadened my perspective across co-op lines. It also reinforced my commitment to hardlines-focused retail education and leadership development. I firmly believe the next generation holds tremendous potential to strengthen and evolve our industry, and this honor inspired me to help foster that future. The experience opened doors I never anticipated, including currently serving on the board of directors for Do it Best Group, and connected me with mentors, peers and opportunities that have shaped my life trajectory in unfathomable ways.
What advice would you give to young leaders today?
Lean into and embrace every challenge and frustration. These are the moments that shape you most as a leader. Setbacks, and even a few failures, are not roadblocks; they are opportunities to grow, learn and build resilience. Don’t be afraid to take thoughtful risks as meaningful progress rarely happens without them—unless you light a match, you are not going to burn the business down! Just as importantly, recognize the wins along the way and be sure to celebrate them with the team who helped make them possible. Leadership is not a one-man (or woman!) journey; applauding those shared successes is what builds locked-arms teams and lasting momentum. Get connected with local organizations and attend industry training sessions offered by NHPA and your co-op; you never know who you’re going to meet or what you will learn. It may be you who positively impacts someone else’s life.
Ryan Buck
Dealer/Owner, Buck’s Home Building Centre
2020 Young Retailer of the Year
How did being named an NHPA Young Retailer of the Year honoree positively impact your career?
When I won the award, I was a year into my ownership of our company, which had two stores. Currently we have expanded to four stores with nearly 100 employees. I think the timing of the award for me was representative of the journey. It was a representation of the previous 15 years of work and dedication, along with the present time and moving forward in the future. It was an accomplishment that solidified myself as a leader, while celebrating the long-standing tenure of our business, with celebrating the success of our teams to get us to the operation we had become at that time, to what we have become today.
In what ways did the award open doors—or create new responsibilities—you didn’t anticipate?
The award brought me into a small circle of past award winners and has created relationships.
What do you think are the biggest opportunities for the independent home improvement channel in the next year?
Growth through acquisition, while leveraging our buying power to maximize margin, increasing gross profit dollars.
Jonathan Miller
Principal and Partner, Miller Hardware Company
2015 Young Retailer of the Year
How did being named an NHPA Young Retailer of the Year honoree positively impact your career?
It has made a tremendous impact on my career, most notably in the relationships and resources it exposed me to within NHPA. Between the Retail Management Certification Program (RMCP) and roundtable experiences, our company has realized significant gains through collaboration with industry colleagues.
In what ways did the award open doors—or create new responsibilities—you didn’t anticipate?
I did not anticipate the friendships and education that continue to come 10 years later.
What advice would you give to young leaders today?
Take time to reflect on the energy and ambition you have at this very moment. Keep that core memory and be intentional at providing opportunities for the generation coming behind you.
Combat complacency—the specific model you are practicing today is not sustainable. Get up, seek improvement and take advantage of every opportunity to listen to others.
What do you think are the biggest opportunities for the independent home improvement channel in the next year?
Become a true community member. We need to differentiate ourselves from corporate outlets through real partnerships—place your team into nonprofit board seats, afford them time to further education locally and call your technical college and ask how your business can best support local trades growth.
Alan Bryant
Owner, Bryant’s Ace Hardware, H&L Lumber Co. and Oakhurst Rock and Landscape Supply
1999 Young Retailer of the Year
How did being named an NHPA Young Retailer of the Year honoree positively impact your career?
The impact to my career following the Young Retailer of the Year was nothing short of positive. I was amazed at the network I was able to quickly build within the industry following the award. After receiving the honor, I made sure to attend as many industry functions as I could with our vendors and what was then NRHA.
I had already been working with True Value Company on some advisory boards, but following the award, I had the opportunity to network with more of the leadership team at True Value, which allowed me to parlay into a position with the True Value Marketing Council in 2005, a position I held until 2010. It was a really positive move for me and my career, being able to network with and grow relationships with the senior team at True Value. The crowning jewel came in 2012 when I was elected to the Board of Directors for True Value Company, a position that I held until 2021 when I eventually resigned while I explored the possibility of leaving True Value and joining Ace Hardware.
Since joining Ace Hardware, I have been active with the leadership team at Ace, and have been working closely with the conversion team as an advocate of the benefits of becoming part of the Ace family.
In what ways did the award open doors—or create new responsibilities—you didn’t anticipate?
I truly believe the good fortune that has come my way is a direct result of being honored as a Young Retailer of the Year. I also gained confidence within myself and my abilities and quickly learned of the importance of building a network of associates within our industry, many of whom have become lifelong friends.
What do you think are the biggest opportunities for the independent home improvement channel in the next year?
One of the biggest opportunities I see for the year ahead revolves around technology and how that can be incorporated into our industry. Thanks to online retailers and larger big-box stores, our customers have gotten used to a new, easier way of shopping—buying online and picking up in-store, curbside pick up, rewards programs, QR codes that relate to in-store educational opportunities and immersive shopping experiences that draw customers into the store. I believe that customers are looking for experiential shopping, not simply walking into a warehouse and filling carts with boxes that are mass stacked in the aisles. I feel like stores that don’t adapt to stay relevant will get left behind.
Ryan Clouse
Owner and Operator, Clouse Family Ace Hardware and Roger’s Family Foods stores
2023 Young Retailer of the Year
How did being named an NHPA Young Retailer of the Year honoree positively impact your career?
Winning pushed me in a direction where I saw that what I’m doing matters and made me double down on myself. It wasn’t so much that it was a magical door opener and all my problems were gone, but it became something where I invested in myself to not only keep going but work a little harder. Winning also gave me a little bit of clout; my brother was also an honoree, so there were big shoes to follow. It opened up the door to have better conversations and develop new connections in the industry.
What advice would you give to young leaders today?
Don’t doubt yourself just because of lack of experience. I never saw myself as a true leader per se, so when we hired a leadership coach to guide us as a company, one of the biggest takeaways I still live to this day is the idea of presenting leadership all day, every day.
When it comes to being successful in any part of your life, you have to have a strategic plan with real goals and then be consistent just to keep showing up—excellence is not an act, it is a habit.
What do you think are the biggest opportunities for the independent home improvement channel in the next year?
There’s a little bit of a wave of change that we’ve seen in the past couple years of quality over quantity. From a product standpoint, quality is one of the things we’re pushing for, looking for better brands.
On a personal level, the world’s become so disconnected, it comes down to making an impact in any way that you can. My role in the business has changed, and I am no longer on the salesfloor all the time, so what I’ve learned to do is take care of my team. In turn, they take care of their team and everybody has everybody’s back all the way down the line, all the way to our customers. That personal touch is the biggest impact we can offer today.
Jay Donnelly
Owner, Flanagan Paint & Supply
2021 Young Retailer of the Year
How did being named an NHPA Young Retailer of the Year honoree positively impact your career?
The recognition gave me confidence early on that I was on the right path and helped validate the independent model at a time when big box and corporate competition felt overwhelming. It also expanded my peer network in a meaningful way by connecting me with other operators who were facing similar challenges and thinking long term about the future of independent retail.
In what ways did the award open doors or create new responsibilities you did not anticipate?
The biggest, unexpected outcome was the responsibility that came with visibility. It pushed me to be more intentional about leadership, mentorship and involvement in the broader channel. When people look to you as a young leader, you realize quickly that your decisions, culture and values matter beyond your own four walls.
What advice would you give to young leaders today?
Stay close to the work and the people. Growth, technology and scale matter, but relationships are still the foundation of independent retail. Listen more than you talk, stay curious and do not lose sight of why independence matters to your customers and your team.
What do you think are the biggest opportunities for the independent home improvement channel in the next year?
The biggest opportunity is doubling down on differentiation, especially service, expertise and local relationships. Independents can move faster, be more human and truly partner with customers in ways large competitors struggle to replicate. There is also a real opportunity to embrace smarter use of data and technology without losing the personal touch that makes independent retail special.
Katie Prus
Manager and Part-Owner, Abbotsford Paint and Decorating Center
2023 Young Retailer of the Year
In what ways did the award open doors or create new responsibilities you did not anticipate?
I have jumped on quite a few boards and committees since 2023, including co-chair of the Canpro Meeting committee, which plans and executes our yearly meeting and buying show for the Canpro group. I am a part of the Canpro Purchasing committee and chair of their NextGen committee and involved with ALLPRO’s NextGen committee, along with fellow 2023 YROTY honoree Michael Gleason Jr., who has just been appointed as chair of the committee. I also sit on the NHPA board of directors, and I am extremely grateful to be on that board surrounded by incredible business owners and looking forward to learning a lot from everyone.
What advice would you give to young leaders today?
For all 2026 nominees, first of all congratulations on this recognition! This award was a fantastic award to receive and made me feel like I was on the right path for once. Take honor in the nomination that people out there truly see what you are doing and especially see what you are doing for the independent channel. The independent channel is crucial for community support both coming and going, so remember when you are selling paint and hardware items, every dollar you are making is staying in your community and doing better things, as well as the dollar your customers and clients are spending.
What do you think are the biggest opportunities for the independent home improvement channel in the next year?
For 2026, economy-wise and seeing what our clients have been up to, I see this as a year of bringing back the DIYer. I think we will have more people painting their own homes, attempting lime wash and painting their cabinets. They are going to look to us, the independent channel, to give our clients the best advice, the best tools and the best products to complete the job on their own. I am not worried about a potential drop in spending from consumers because I do think they will all come to us for what they need for their project. Make sure to be giving lots of printed information for consumers to make the best decisions. Hand out those brochures and make sure your customers have easy access to reviews. When people are watching where their dollar goes, five star reviews help immensely.
Huong Luu
CEO, Luu Color Center
2025 Young Retailer of the Year
How did being named an NHPA Young Retailer of the Year honoree positively impact your career?
Taking over and rebuilding a business in an industry where I had no prior experience came with a lot of imposter syndrome. It’s something I still feel from time to time. Being named a Young Retailer of the Year offered meaningful reassurance early in my leadership journey. It helped me see beyond my own operation and connected me with a community of peers and mentors who shared their experiences openly. That support accelerated my growth, strengthened my confidence as a leader and reminded me that learning as you go is not a weakness, it’s part of the journey.
In what ways did the award open doors—or create new responsibilities—you didn’t anticipate?
One of the most unexpected outcomes was the increased responsibility to lead beyond my own business. The recognition opened doors to incredible industry conversations, peer mentorship and leadership opportunities that required me to think more strategically about how my decisions and actions could positively influence others in the channel
What advice would you give to young leaders today?
My advice would be to stay curious, remain humble and embrace discomfort. The award isn’t a finish line; it’s a responsibility and a commitment to uphold values and integrity. Use the platform to listen, learn and lead with intention.
What do you think are the biggest opportunities for the independent home improvement channel in the next year?
The biggest opportunities for the independent home improvement channel is in continued differentiation of service, local relevance and talent development. Independents who invest in people, leverage technology thoughtfully and stay deeply connected to their communities will be well positioned for success.
Karena Reusser
Store Director, Modern Home & Hardware
2003 Retailer of the Year
How did being named an NHPA Young Retailer of the Year honoree positively impact your career?
It was the launching pad for me and made me feel like there was a place in the industry for me. I was introduced to so many people who I would have never met, especially within my wholesaler. I would go on to be on the Do it Best board for nine years, which was a phenomenal experience. I was motivated to expand our store and update the operation to be an exciting and premier destination in our county for shopping. My brother added a complete sporting goods section in our store, we added a Little Caesar’s Pizza in 2012 and I earned my law degree in 2018, so we now also offer a law practice in the store as well. We love that we can fill so many needs in our community.
What do you think are the biggest opportunities for the independent home improvement channel in the next year?
It’s going to have to be relationship-driven, because that human component will always be a critical link that technology can’t provide. People want to feel cared about, valued and needed. I think that is the biggest opportunity for independents—to have those relationships.
What advice would you give to young leaders today?
Show up when you don’t want to, keep the doors open when you don’t want to and keep going on those days that are hard. Dig in and keep going!
R.J. McDaniel
Owner, B&B Hardware
2017 Young Retailer of the Year
How did being named an NHPA Young Retailer of the Year honoree positively impact your career?
It was an amazing experience that I was able to share with my late father who I had worked alongside since I was 14 years old. At the event itself, I was able to get to know other honorees, which opened connections within the industry. Over the years I have been involved in roundtable groups with other Young Retailer honorees, and in these meetings we brainstorm, connect and discuss ideas about business. These connections have been a crucial part in expanding my business.
In what ways did the award open doors—or create new responsibilities—you didn’t anticipate?
It made me realize that I need to set the bar high for self-expectations. I continue to set goals for the business and personally to help grow. I never accept what I have accomplished and continue to challenge myself to better myself and the business.
The award opened the door to many vendors knowing me by name and allowed me to get insight on new products and programs. It’s crucial to continue to expand and better the business through products and assortments.
Receiving the award itself gave me an internal drive to push myself and set the bar high for my store and my team.
What advice would you give to young leaders today?
I would tell them to enjoy the accomplishment but use the award to its fullest potential in creating new relationships with other recipients, vendors and corporate leaders. The opportunity to be with like-minded people and connect should not be wasted. The award winners should introduce themselves to everyone they can—it means something to put a name with a face—to get insight on new products and programs. I think it’s crucial to expanding and running a better business.
What do you think are the biggest opportunities for the independent home improvement channel in the next year?
I believe many independent stores have goals to keep pushing customer service and the “hometown” feel in today’s world. Online business and big boxes have taken this away, and we acknowledge there is a shrinking footprint for independents, but customers still love the person-to-person interaction and community ties. While we have added our inventory online and offer same-day pickup through Do It Best, we also thrive on our specialized services like key cutting, pipe threading and chainsaw sharpening; services you can’t buy online. My plan for 2026 is doubling down on customer service, providing those specialized services you can’t buy online and promoting our business within the community that has supported us for over 60 years. Good old customer service will prevail.
Jeremy Melnick
Founder, LJB Advisors, and Former Owner, Gordon’s Ace Hardware
2006 Young Retailer of the Year
How did being named an NHPA Young Retailer of the Year honoree positively impact your career?
The award gave me credibility, not only with the co-op, but with vendors and outside organizations. They would search for me online, see I was a Young Retailer honoree and it gave me credibility.
What advice would you give to young leaders today?
One, be humble. There are a lot of great people within the industry, so always be willing to learn, ask questions and network. Second, keep doing the things that have got you here; don’t rest on your laurels or the fact that you’re a Young Retailer but keep doing all the things that got you here.
Tyler Nowochin
Dealer/Owner, Nowco Home Hardware
2021 Young Retailer of the Year
How did being named an NHPA Young Retailer of the Year honoree positively impact your career?
I remember reading a Young Retailer of the Year article about 20 years ago, closer to when it was new, and remember thinking, “That’s my goal, that’s what I’m going to work towards, and I’m going to cater all of my decision-making and such towards winning this award.” Winning the Young Retailer honor became a goal I was working toward and to receive the award the year before I aged out was very satisfying. Since then, I think it’s more of the idea behind recognition of young people in the industry period that I appreciate more than anything. I love seeing like-minded younger people working together and the community created.
What advice would you give to young leaders today?
Don’t let the award be the end-all, be-all. Never stop pushing to do better, to lead your team better and set higher goals. Use the Young Retailer award as a leapfrog to the next step.
