Do it Best Group is proud to recognize three outstanding independent home improvement leaders who have been named 2026 Young Retailer of the Year honorees by the North American Hardware and Paint Association: Taylor Cole, retail development and marketing support for Cole’s Hardware in central Pennsylvania; Jeff Kuenning, co-owner of Western Ohio True Value in Minster, Ohio; and Shannon Davis Morrow, business manager of Tweedy Lumber & Hardware in Rushville, Indiana.
The Young Retailer of the Year program, now in its 30th year, celebrates the next generation of independent home improvement, paint and decorating retailers throughout the U.S. and Canada. Honorees are selected based on professional achievement, community involvement, continuing industry education and leadership within their businesses and communities.
“Taylor, Jeff, and Shannon represent the very best of what’s ahead for independent home improvement retail,” said Dan Starr, Do it Best Group CEO. “Each of them is building on a strong local legacy while bringing fresh thinking, operational discipline, and a deep commitment to serving their teams, customers and communities. We’re proud to celebrate their well-earned recognition.”
Taylor Cole represents the fifth generation of leadership at Cole’s Hardware, which has served central Pennsylvania since 1883 and now operates 12 locations. Taylor began with the company as a part-time sales associate in 2005 and is now part of its senior leadership team. He has helped lead one of the most significant modernization efforts in the company’s history, including the transition from legacy systems to a fully integrated enterprise platform that unifies retail and ecommerce operations. Taylor is also advancing AI-enabled business analysis, implementing a new register queue program, and helping shape the company’s long-term strategic direction through updated vision, mission, and brand pillars.
Jeff Kuenning is part of the third generation of leadership at Western Ohio True Value, a family business that began in 1953 and has grown to four locations. After working his way through the business from the ground up, Jeff has become a key leader in store operations, technology, and category development. His creation of a Milwaukee Destination Center in the Minster location expanded the category from 84 linear feet to 200 linear feet with a 1,066-square-foot showroom. Jeff also leads IT infrastructure across all four stores and supports the company’s ecommerce capabilities, while investing in training that builds capability across his team.
Shannon Davis Morrow began working at Tweedy Lumber & Hardware when her family purchased the business in 2019. Starting on the floor, at the counter, in the back room, and in the yard, she earned credibility by learning the business firsthand before stepping into broader leadership. As business manager, Shannon has helped modernize the store, leading a major remodel and reset that added approximately 1,500 square feet of new selling space, expanded core departments, and introduced a new housewares department. She also revitalized Tweedy’s rental department after attending Do it Best Rental School, applying disciplined inventory and reinvestment practices to make rental a stronger resource for the Rushville community.
Beyond their business accomplishments, all three honorees are deeply involved in their communities. Taylor launched the Community Bag Sale to benefit local Learn to Swim programs and serves on the Board of Directors for Leadership Susquehanna Valley. Jeff volunteers as a high school basketball coach and supports audio and livestream operations at Faith Alliance Church. Shannon serves as secretary of the Rush County Economic Development Corporation and on the board of the local Boys & Girls Club.
The 2026 Young Retailer of the Year honorees will be recognized during the Independent Awards Gala at the 2026 Independent Home Improvement Conference in Orlando on July 29.
For more information about the Young Retailer of the Year program, visit YourNHPA.org/yroty.