Brian Sharoff, who headed the Private Label Manufacturers Association for 39 years, passed away on May 23.

As president, Sharoff took PLMA from an organization of about 200 manufacturers, suppliers and other players in private label, to a global membership of more than 4,400. During his tenure, PLMA bloomed into an international organization with offices in Shanghai and Amsterdam. PLMA under Sharoff became an educational resource for the consumer goods industry, with conferences, videos and studies.

“Today is a sad day for the entire PLMA family,” Lisa Manzoline, chairman of the PLMA board, said in a statement. “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 born in Brooklyn and served from 1971 to 1976 in the New York state assembly.