MEET THE TEAM

ABOUT GC BUYING GROUP

GC Buying Group has connected independent retailers and premium vendors since 1981. We are the leading and original buying group in the gourmet housewares industry, supporting 250+ stores and 150+ vendor partners nationwide. Our mission is to help independent retailers compete and vendors reach quality stores through strategic partnership - not just purchasing power, but operational support, peer learning, and market intelligence. We help both sides succeed.

 

GC connects both sides to what drives success: retailers get purchasing power, peer learning, and strategic support; vendors get quality store access, customized planning, and sales intelligence. Our Atlanta conferences, educational programs, and year-round communication serve both audiences with one goal - helping independent retail thrive.

Doug Huemoeller

Owner & President

With more than 30 years of experience in the housewares industry, Doug brings a unique perspective shaped by decades in retail, buying, and community building. A former GC staff member and successful store owner, he has long been a champion of collaboration, education, and growth within the independent retail community.

Maryann Samsa

Director of Vendor Relations

As the primary driver of GC’s Vendor Program, Maryann oversees onboarding and orientation for new vendor members, connecting them with GC stores and opportunities for growth. Maryann also works to maximize engagement at events, evaluate performance, and identify new opportunities for growth.

Jill Robinson

Vendor Coordinator

Jill has past experience working with both stores and vendors, bringing an added level of knowledge to the GC Group. At ease interacting with buyers on merchandising, assortment planning, and category evaluation, Jill also assists vendors with data entry for dedicated GC.com webpages – making her the ideal go-to for team support.

Molly Ledin

Director of Store Relations

Molly has more than 25 years of experience in the housewares industry, encompassing retail operations, store management, sales and product training, buying, and cooking school management. Her extensive background provides a comprehensive understanding of the industry, which gives her a strong foundation for supporting GC retailers.

Stephanie Rogers

Director of Operations

Stephanie oversees day-to-day operations, streamlining processes to keep GC running efficiently. She manages logistics, coordinates with vendors and stores, and ensures GC events are executed seamlessly, supporting both the team and members every step of the way.

Jeff Robinson

Vendor Coordinator

Jeff provides guidance with the upload process to the GC vendor webpage, ensures data accuracy, and offers training to navigate the system. Jeff acts as the main point of contact for setup and ongoing coordination.

Elyssa Barnett

Accounting Dept. Coordinator

Elyssa manages GC's financial transactions and ensures accurate record-keeping. She is also GC’s Contract Coordinator and oversees vendor and retailer agreements, ensuring all contracts are complete, compliant, and up to date.

Larae Salcedo

Graphic Designer

As GC’s Graphic Designer, Larae creates all marketing materials, event signage, and logos that visually represent the GC brand. Her creative direction brings consistency, clarity, and impact to GC’s communications and events.

Contact a Member of the GC Team to Learn More!

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