Obituary: Brian Sharoff, Private Label Manufacturers Association

Brian Sharoff, president of the Privatel Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA), passed away May 23 after a brief illness.

“Today is a sad day for the entire PLMA family,” said Lisa Manzoline, director of sales for Reynolds Consumer Products and chairman of the board of directors of PLMA. “Under Brian Sharoff’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. Brian’s leadership will be greatly missed.”

Sharoff was named president of the association in 1981, shortly after PLMA was founded. Under his leadership, membership grew from 200 companies in the U.S. to more than 4,400 worldwide. He also oversaw the growth of the annual trade show that draws key executives from supermarkets, drug chains, mass merchandisers and other retailers to find suppliers and new products as well as the annual "World of Private Label" International Trade Show in Amsterdam, which has grown to more than 4,500 stands and now represents manufacturers from nearly 75 countries.

He joined PLMA after five years as EVP of the Metropolitan New York Retail Merchants Association. Prior to that, he served three terms as a member of the New York State legislature. He also held teaching positions at St. Joseph’s University, Rutgers University and The New School of Social Research.

Brian Sharoff is survived by his wife, Judith; daughter Alexandra; son Peter; five grandchildren; and sister Shirley Sharoff. The family’s request is that anyone who wishes to pay tribute to Brian’s memory do so in the form of a gift to either:

The Mount Kisco Interfaith Food Pantry
P.O. Box 834
Mount Kisco, NY 10549
www.mountkiscofoodpantry.org

or

Community Center of Northern Westchester
84 Bedford Road 
Katonah, NY 10536
communitycenternw.org