DAS Companies Announces Key Category Initiatives to its Purchasing Team

Palmyra, PA (April 2017) – To better align and manage key categories, DAS Companies, Inc., has announced several placements in category management effective April 1, 2017. These placements will further strengthen the DAS product offerings to the customer, bringing optimum selection and brands to the market.

Kristin Belisle - Category Manager – Kristin joined DAS in July 2016 and will be responsible for the following categories: Gifts & Novelty, Sunglasses & Reading Glasses, Energy Drinks/Supplements, Souvenirs, Knives, Pet Supplies, Lighters & Accessories, Drinkware, Impulse Locking Storage and Health & Grooming. She will also be the Purchasing Team liaison to drive sales growth in the C-Store channel at DAS. Kristin has over 16 years’ experience in the areas of Sales, Marketing, Category Management and Merchandising and began her career with Travel Centers of America and then joined IWS, a wholesale distributor in the travel center and C-store channel. A resident of Ohio, Kristin received her degree from Bowling Green State University and looks forward to introducing new products and improving on current offerings to the DAS family of brands.

Kenneth Marshall, Jr. - Senior Category Manager - Kenneth joined DAS in March 2017 and will be managing the following categories: Toys & Gifts, Chemicals/De-Icers/Lubricants, Cleaners/Waxes/Polishes, Cleaning Accessories, Cargo Control, Safety Devices, Wiring/Electrical Accessories, Portable Video/Audio Hardware, and Home Observation/Security. Kenneth has over 12 years’ experience in the areas of Sales, Marketing & Analysis, Category Management, and Merchandising within the Discount, Automotive, and Commercial industries. Kenneth is originally from Alabama and is a graduate of Auburn University and has held positions with AutoZone and Dollar General managing various product categories.

Tyler Scherner - Senior Category Manager - Tyler joined DAS in March 2017 and will be managing the following categories: GPS/NAV/ELD Systems & Accessories, Bluetooth, Digital Imaging & Accessories, Fitness, and Atlases & Maps. Tyler has over 8 years’ experience in the areas of Sales, Category Management, Merchandising, and Retail Management within the Wholesale Distribution, Internet Fulfillment, and Retail Electronics industries. Tyler is originally from Portland, Oregon and attended the University of Oregon, recently relocating to Pennsylvania. During his career, he has held several buying and management positions within the industry and brings vast knowledge of electronics to DAS.

Melissa Hollier – Global Sourcing/Category Manager - Melissa has been with DAS since October 2014 and will manage the following categories: Bags/Briefcases, Flashlights, and Snowbrushes/Ice Scrapers, this responsibility is in addition to her current duties in Global Sourcing/Imports. Melissa has worked in Global Sourcing since joining DAS with her primary focus on Love’s Travel Stops. “These placements will continue to strengthen our product portfolio to create the ultimate customer experience at travel centers and partner locations across the country,” said Robert De La Rosa, Director of Purchasing for DAS Companies, Inc.

In addition to these changes, De La Rosa also announced the retirement of Sue Dixon. Sue has been an instrumental part of DAS Companies for the past 22 years. Sue is a familiar face to many of the travel center brands and their customers and has been a contributing factor of bringing product categories to the centers that provide convenience and comfort to the travel community.

Related Links

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