MEET THE TEAM

About Us

GC Buying Group has been dedicated to the success of the independent retailer since 1981. We are the leading and original Buying Group in the housewares industry. We currently have over 350 store locations across the nation. Our mission is to keep the independent retailer independent, while providing solutions for competition and alleviating big box advantages. Our goal is your success.

Gourmet Catalog negotiates merchandise discounts with over 150 vendors, and freight allowances and special dating for members. Multiple Member Meetings are held each year with an exclusive member trade show in January. Store networking opportunities and the Members-Only website allow members to stay ahead of their competition.

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

Store & 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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