RALEIGH, NC – The Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA) is excited to present the RSPA NextGen 50 Under 40 Rising Stars for 2026-27. The RSPA Rising Stars annually recognizes and celebrates individuals who are driving growth, embracing technological advancements, and delivering exceptional solutions to address the evolving needs of their partners and the retail IT industry.
The RSPA NextGen 50 Under 40 Rising Stars program is in its fourth year and continues to honor young professionals who exemplify the industry’s next generation of channel leaders. These individuals have distinguished themselves through proven expertise, innovative thinking, and strong leadership.
This year’s Rising Stars class includes 50 NextGen 50 Under 40 honorees plus 15 Honorable Mention selections.
“The quantity and quality of young talent in the RSPA community is incredible and seems to expand every year,” said Jim Roddy, RSPA President & CEO. “We were overwhelmed with submissions nominating so many outstanding candidates to be recognized as Rising Stars. The future is bright for the retail IT channel.”
The 2026-27 class of RSPA NextGen Rising Stars includes:
* Denotes first-time Rising Stars
- Tommy Adair, DCR
- Sami Alakkam, JRs POS Depot
- Jennifer Arroyo, LINGA*
- Greg Austill, ProSwipe*
- Crystal Barrineau, OrderCounter
- Bobby Bauer, BMC
- Brianna Buccellato, Epson America
- Eder Caceres, M-S Cash Drawer
- Victoria Caiado, Automatic Equipment Service
- Chad Capece, Computer Applied Products
- Michael Chalberg, KORONA POS by Combase
- Aidan Chau, Maple*
- Lily Cregeen, Metropolitan Sales
- Liz Crouch, Bixolon USA
- Omar Ebeid, Zeal
- Fabian Eckstrom-French, Esper*
- Maddie Gainza, Esper*
- Whitney Gerrety, Touch Dynamic
- Matthew Halawa, PAX Technology*
- Mary Harris, NCC
- Allie Haskell, CBS NorthStar
- Weston Hefel, Payteva
- Audrey Hogan, LINGA
- Tyler Horsley, Winstar Payments
- Maddy Howerin, Newbold Technologies
- Kirsten Ingersoll, Electronic Office Equipment
- Arnav Kaushik, Quantic
- Tyng Lee, Touch Dynamic
- Benjamin Lewis, Delaware Valley Registers
- Maverick Little, Metropolitan Sales
- John Maieli, Star Micronics
- Claire Mangas, Retail Management Hero*
- Jessica Maroney, Metropolitan Sales
- Farrell McKenna, Rayvx
- Truman Meecham, Alpha POS
- Kent Peaslee, POSitive Technology*
- Heather Philpott, ScanSource
- Eiadd Qumsieh, Qlaborate
- Christina Redell, Rayvx
- Layla Rice, LINGA*
- Tyler Richard, Appspensary*
- James Sanders, CRS
- Brandon Sauer, RSS
- Sarah Schlueter, BlueStar
- Madeline Stockwell, Global Payments
- Tyler Wells, MicroTouch
- Hunter Wieder, TD SYNNEX*
- Jared Zeigler, Datacap Systems*
- Amit Zenou, iPOS Systems
- Kevin Zhao, ZBS POS
Honorable Mention: Sarah Stenger (BlueStar), Blake Clary (BlueStar), Stephanie Buckley (BOLD Integrated Payments), Gavin Cummings (Butler Business Systems), Megan Farley (Electronic Office), Hardy Singh (LINGA), Kenedy Musante (LINGA), Dougie Stevens (OrderCounter), Ernesto Perez (OrderCounter), Nick Sarpolis (Ravyx), Chelsea Ganness (RodPlus Solutions), Savannah Seegars-Harris (ScanSource), Francis Angoyar (Star Micronics), Erin Hammett (Star Micronics), Chandra Major (Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions).
RSPA NextGen 50 Under 40 Rising Stars is an ongoing effort from the RSPA NextGen Leadership Community. The NextGen Leadership Community plays a key role in identifying and developing opportunities for future leaders and the rapidly changing technology landscape.
The new class of RSPA NextGen 50 Under 40 Rising Stars will be honored during RetailNOW 2026, July 26-28 at Caesars Forum Conference Center in Las Vegas. There will be recognition at the RSPA NextGen Leadership Community Event and a formal presentation during the RetailNOW General Session July 27.
Visit the NextGen 50 Under 40 Rising Stars webpage to meet the 2026-27 RSPA NextGen 50 Under 40 Rising Stars. RSPA looks forward to celebrating today’s up-and-coming industry innovators!
About RSPA (Retail Solutions Providers Association)
The RSPA is North America’s largest community of VARs, software providers, vendors, and distributors in the retail, restaurant, and grocery verticals. The mission of the RSPA is to accelerate the success of its members in the retail technology ecosystem by providing knowledge and connections. The organization offers member-to-member warm introductions, education, legal advice, industry advocacy, and other services to assist members with becoming and remaining successful. RSPA is most well-known for its signature events, RetailNOW and Inspire, which provide face-to-face learning and networking opportunities. Learn more by visiting www.GoRSPA.org.
