Brian Sharoff, president of the New York City-headquartered Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA) for nearly four decades, died on May 23 after a brief illness. He was 77 years old.
“It is a sad time the entire PLMA family. Under Brian’s tremendous focus and dedication, the Private Label Manufacturers Association has grown to become a vital and essential resource for suppliers and retailers around the globe. His leadership will be greatly missed,” said Lisa Manzoline, the association’s chairwoman and director of sales for Reynolds Consumer Products.
Born in Brooklyn on New Year’s Day, January 1, 1943, Sharoff earned a bachelor’s degree from Hunter College in 1964 and received a master’s degree in international relations from Rutgers University in 1966.
With five years under his belt as executive vice president of the Metropolitan New York Retail Merchants Association, Sharoff joined the PLMA as president shortly after its founding in 1981. Prior to that he served as an elected member of the New York State Assembly for three terms from 1971-75.
While at the PLMA’s helm, the association’s membership grew from 200 manufacturers, suppliers and brokers in the United States to more than 4,400 companies worldwide. Sharoff was instrumental in building up the Private Label Trade Show, held each November at the Rosemont Convention Center in Chicago, into the largest annual gathering of its kind in North America. He was also the driving force in launching the even more successful World of Private Label exhibition more than 30 years ago in Amsterdam. Frozen and refrigerated food products are featured prominently at both events.
In addition to the successful trade exhibitions, PLMA organizes conferences and educational programs throughout the year and publishes exclusive market research and studies.
The deceased is survived by his wife, Judith Sharoff, daughter Alexandra, son Peter, sister Shirley, and five grandchildren.
