Occupation: CEO, The Companion Group, manufacturer of Charcoal Companion® and Steven Raichlen® Barbecue Tools and Accessories, pizzacraft® Pizza Ovens and Pizza-Making Supplies and Patio Companion® Outdoor Decorative Candles and Accessories

Special Interests/Hobbies: “Cooking and Grilling, Travel, Art and Reading.”

Problems Facing the Barbecue Industry: “Not too many problems in my estimation. Of course, as a manufacturer, the usual culprits are production, delivery and rising costs. But as a category for growth and a vehicle for innovation, the grilling category is a great industry in which to be working.”

How’s Your Business So Far This Year (end of June)? “We have had a good year. Our employees now own 49% of the company stock through an ESOP. We introduced a number of well-received (and successfully retailed) new items. Our fiscal year ended June 30 and as we head forward into our new year we are poised for and expecting low double-digit growth as a result of a strong marketplace and a number of great new products we will be introducing.”

How has the specialty barbecue retail business changed since the downturn began in 2008? “From our point of view it seems to have consolidated a bit with the remaining stronger independent retailers becoming more skilled at growing their customer base. The ability to connect with their customers around backyard entertaining is growing. From our side, we see that the retailers who held on through the downturn have strengthened their business. They have begun to embrace the innovations in the accessories area and are realizing the margins available in the grilling accessories segment. This year our per-order dollar volume grew over last season by 12%!” 

Years Reading Hearth & Home: “The Companion Group was founded in 1983 and I started reading Hearth & Home magazine in 1988, 27 years ago.” 

Reasons for Reading Hearth & Home: “Keeps me in touch with the heartbeat of the industry, access to industry data and usually several highlighted retailers whose stories I enjoy.” 

Article Idea(s): “Where There is Smoke There is Grilling: A discussion of why “smoked” foods are so popular and all of the products now available to help the home griller (gas and charcoal) achieve great results on their grills.”

“The New Backyard Chef; Women at the Grill: An article about women and their new passion, grilling.”