Steven M. Rottenberg has been appointed director of sales for the Eastern United States at Sterling International Inc. Rottenberg will be responsible for representing the RESCUE! brand to distributors, cooperatives and retailers east of the Mississippi River. He brings 23 years of experience in the lawn-and-garden industry to his new position. Rottenberg holds an MBA from the University of Rhode Island.
PBN: Working from Rhode Island, you are the Sterling’s first employee based outside of its Spokane, Wash., headquarters. What attracted you to such a unique position?
ROTTENBERG: Sterling is the market leader for its category. With an increased presence in the East, we expect the RESCUE! brand to substantially grow nationally. In addition, the company will be launching a number of new products over the next year. This is an exciting and vibrant time and it will be a professionally enriching experience to be a part of such growth and opportunity.
PBN: How do you expect your new position to compare to your previous experiences in the lawn-and-garden industry?
ROTTENBERG: It’s about perspective. Throughout my career I drove business through sales and marketing with distributors in the lawn-and-garden industry. I developed a skill set and perspective of what it takes to be successful from a distributor’s viewpoint. In my new position with Sterling International Inc., I look forward to applying those skills to drive sales by building the brand through a manufacturer’s perspective.
PBN: You have previously served as the president of the Lawn & Garden Marketing and Distribution Association (LGMDA). What other professional or community organizations have you been involved with?
ROTTENBERG: In addition to serving as president of the LGMDA, I also served in various positions on the board of directors. In my industry I have served on the board and committees of the Massachusetts Flower Growers’ Association, Rhode Island Nursery and Landscape Association and the Rhode Island Greenhouse Growers’ Association. In my community, I have served on the board of directors of Cranston’s Temple Sinai and as president of its Brotherhood organization. Also, I have volunteered for the Boy Scouts of America serving as cubmaster of a Cub Scout pack, assistant scoutmaster for a Boy Scout troop and on the Jewish Committee of Scouting. •
