Celebrating its 20th year honoring trailblazing retailers in the channel, the North American Hardware and Paint Association (NHPA) has named its 2026 Top Guns Awards honorees. This year’s honorees include: David Enmark, CEO of The Helpful Hardware Co.; Ash Ebbo, CEO of Clement’s Paint; Jason Blair, CEO of TAL Building Centers; and Denise Brookhouse, CEO of Koopman Lumber.
“Top Guns honorees are pillars of innovation and forward-thinking, and have helped grow their businesses through strategic leadership with consideration for their communities, their teams and the industry,” says Scott Wright, NHPA president and publisher. “They’ve grown their businesses, challenged the status quo and led their teams through some of the industry’s toughest moments—and they’re not done yet. This year’s Top Guns are prime examples of what bold leadership looks like in independent home improvement retail today.”
David Enmark had set his sights on becoming a federal agent, but after graduation, David spent his time working at his wife’s family’s hardware store and fell in love with the industry. After that store closed, he started working in the software business in the automotive segment. From there, David took a job with Epicor, which brought him back into the independent home improvement channel and later to work on the wholesaler side at Do it Best and True Value, ultimately ending up at The Helpful Hardware Company, joining the company as CEO in November 2023.
Winning the Top Guns Awards honor isn’t about David.
“It’s not the work that I do. It’s the work that The Helpful Hardware team does and the leaders in our organization,” David says. “It probably means more to me for our team to be recognized for the work that we’re doing and what we will continue to do as much as it is an individual honor, because it really is about them.”
The independent paint channel is in Ash Ebbo’s blood. Her father opened the store in 1986 so it has been a part of her entire life. Joining the operation full-time 12 years ago, Ash went into the business with a desire to continue the legacy her father started. While she has been building future leaders, she’s been growing as a leader herself and recently earned a master in business administration. As the CEO of the nine-store operation, Ash manages the back-end financials and oversees all operational areas.
Winning the Top Guns Awards honor was a surprise to Ash.
“I definitely wasn’t expecting it, and it’s an honor,” Ash says. “I’ve been working really, really hard going back to school trying to make myself better. I think getting a little recognition just makes me really proud.”
Denise Koopman was born into the industry, as her grandfather founded Koopman Lumber. While in college, Denise continued working at the stores but moved on to work as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) at a Fortune 500 company after graduating. After several years in the corporate world, Denise joined the company full-time, and in January 2026, she celebrated 30 years with Koopman Lumber.
Denise says she is honored to receive this recognition and join the class of accomplished past honorees.
“To be included in that category is truly an honor, but I’m only here because of the team that we have at Koopman Lumber,” Denise says. “I share this honor with all the employees and my team. This is a great industry with a lot of great people in it, and so to be recognized alongside them is an honor.”
Achieving his goal of becoming a CEO by the age of 50, Jason Blair serves as CEO of TAL Building Centers, leading with a focus on the basics and building up future leaders by setting an example of accountability. Jason’s journey in the independent home improvement channel began after he finished high school and started working at Payless Cashways. His journey in the industry would take him to Foxworth-Galbraith, Higginbotham Brothers, True Value and Wilco Farm Stores.
For Jason, the Top Guns honor is a thank you to all the people who helped him get where he is today.
“From my family making sacrifices to my friends who have supported me personally to the great mentors I’ve had along the way, there were some folks who took some pretty big risks in my career, and I really appreciate that they did that,” Jason says. “They saw something in me and this award is a reflection of that.”
Each of the honorees will be featured in upcoming issues of Hardware Retailing and Paint & Decorating Retailer magazines. Top Guns honorees will be honored at the Independent Awards Gala at the 2026 Independent Home Improvement Conference held July 29-30 at the JW Marriott Grande Lakes in Orlando, Florida. The National Hardware Show: Concept to Commerce and DIY Con are the Top Guns exclusive sponsors.
For more information on the Top Guns awards, visit the Industry Awards page on the IHI Conference website. To learn more about the 2026 Independent Home Improvement Conference, visit ihiconference.org.
