Ten Nods, One Big Question: What the XBIZ Exec Awards Really Reveal

Amanda Taylor · 2026-11-04

When a press release lands in your inbox at the end of October, you expect the usual corporate backslapping. But this one from Ferndale, Michigan, carried a little more weight. The Nalpac, Entrenue, and Holiday teams had just learned they'd snagged ten nominations for the 2027 XBIZ Exec Awards. That's not just a number. It's a signal. ### Why Ten Nominations Matter More Than You Think The XBIZ Exec Awards aren't a popularity contest. They spotlight the business leaders who keep the adult retail and distribution world running—the people who negotiate deals, manage teams, and somehow keep the shelves stocked while everyone else is still figuring out Q1. Ten nominations across three sister companies means something is working. Here's the full list of nominees: - Steve Craig – Businessperson of the Year - Andy Craig – Executive Leadership Award in Retail & Distribution - Phoebe Grott – Business Development Exec of the Year - Susanna Molina – Distributor Purchasing Exec of the Year - Kelsey Harris – Team Manager of the Year - Mark Sulewski – Distributor Account Exec of the Year - Domenique Kane – Road Warrior of the Year - Chris Armstrong – Distributor Account Exec of the Year - Molly Romeo – Community Figure of the Year - Don Zerilli – Distributor Purchasing Exec of the Year That's a lot of categories. And a lot of different roles. You've got purchasing, sales, management, community building—it's like a snapshot of the entire business ecosystem. ### The People Behind the Titles Steve Craig, CEO of the trio, didn't hold back. "Being nominated for 10 industry awards is an incredible honor and a reflection of the hard work, dedication, and commitment of so many people," he said. He thanked the team, manufacturing partners, and customers, calling their trust "the foundation of our continued growth and success." But the real story is in the individual reactions. Phoebe Grott, up for Business Development Exec of the Year, talked about the joy of helping retailers succeed—from product selection to merchandising to training. Chris Armstrong, a 22-year veteran, said success is "about building lasting relationships, earning trust, and helping our customers grow their businesses." Domenique Kane, nominated as Road Warrior, has spent 17 years in the industry, the first 12 in retail. "I feel really lucky to travel back to where it all started for me," she said. Then there's Susanna Molina, Director of Purchasing at Holiday Products. She mentioned a "new chapter with Nalcor" and expressed pride in where they've been and excitement for what's next. Mark Sulewski, a senior sales rep, kept it humble: "This recognition would not be possible without the tremendous support of our team, our valued vendor partners, and the incredible partnerships we've built with our customers." ### What This Means for the Industry Awards are nice. But they're also a barometer. When a single organization dominates the nominations across so many categories—purchasing, sales, leadership, community—it suggests a certain depth of bench. It's not just one star. It's a whole team that knows how to execute. For retailers and manufacturers watching from the outside, that's worth noting. The distribution side of this industry is often invisible to the end customer, but it's where the deals get done and the relationships get built. Ten nominations is a reminder that the folks in Ferndale are playing a long game. The XBIZ Exec Awards ceremony will take place in early 2027. We'll be watching to see how many of those ten turn into wins. But honestly? The nominations alone already tell you something about who's putting in the work.