The North American Hardware and Paint Association (NHPA) has announced the recipients of the 2023 Young Retailer of the Year award. These dynamic individuals were selected from a field of inspiring independent home improvement retailers under the age of 35 from across North America—and these 11 honorees represent the future of the industry.
“Being chosen as a Young Retailer of the Year is a high honor. Each year, manufacturers, retailers and wholesalers in the industry join us in celebrating the honorees’ contributions to their communities and the industry,” says Scott Wright, executive director of advanced retail education programs for NHPA. “This year’s 11 honorees are true examples of the dedication and innovation that keep our industry growing.”
The Honorees
Under $3 Million in Annual Sales
Jessica Talerico, owner of Old Lyme Hardware in Old Lyme, Connecticut
Zane Watkins, general manager and co-owner of Village Hardware in Hatch, New Mexico
Over $3 Million in Annual Sales
Travis Hellvig, operations manager of Hartford Building Center in Hartford, South Dakota
Multiple Stores
Ryan Clouse, owner of Clouse Family Ace Hardware in Oscoda, Michigan
Austin Diehl, director of retail operations at Randy’s Do it Best Hardware in Virginia
Scott Fines, owner of Fines Home Hardware Building Centre in Ontario, Canada
Michael Gleason Jr., assistant general manager and head purchaser at Gleco Paint in Pennsylvania
Matt Lambert, regional vice president for Nation’s Best in Oklahoma and Texas
John Luhring, owner of Parkersburg Hardware and Garden Center and Allison Hardware and Floral Center in Iowa
Dalton Meny, head of operations at Meny’s True Value in Indiana
Katie Prus, owner and manager of Abbotsford Paint in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada
Learn more about each honoree here.
The Young Retailer of the Year honorees will be recognized at a reception held at the 2023 NHPA Independents Conference in Dallas on August 2. Join NHPA to meet the honorees and learn how they’re making an impact in their operations, communities and across the industry. Spend time mingling with retailers, vendors and other industry players during the reception.
Tickets are available for the reception in a limited quantity. Reserve yours now when you register to attend the conference at YourNHPA.org/conference, and look ahead to the September issue of Hardware Retailing for complete coverage of the honorees.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
The 2023 Young Retailer of the Year program is made possible by the following sponsors:
American Hardware & Lumber Insurance (AHLI), Arrow Fastener, Intertape Polymer Group (IPG), Midwest Fastener, Pony Jorgensen, PPG, STIHL and Wooster Brush.