By DeCA Corporate Communications
FORT LEE, Va. – Cheryl L. Brown, a category merchandiser in the Defense Commissary Agency’s (DeCA) Sales, Non-Fresh Directorate, received the 2025 Leading Retail Pet Executive Award in December.
Brown is one of 150 awardees nationwide to receive the Pet Insight Magazine award, recognizing grocery leaders for their influence and innovation in promoting the pet industry’s growth and success, and advancing the future of the category. Pet Insight is a trade publication that reaches more than 25,000 industry readers.
She has worked at DeCA since 1997, advancing in responsibility from a team lead in file maintenance to a business analyst to a category merchandiser. Brown holds a master’s degree in organizational management along with a bachelor’s in business and management.
“To be selected among the top leaders of the pet industry is an honor I will forever cherish,” Brown said. “It’s a rewarding feeling to be recognized for the work I’ve put into building a successful pet program at DeCA.
“I’m passionate about pets and their well-being, and I am dedicated to this industry and will continue to work tirelessly to bring the best quality, brands and prices for our patrons.”
Brown’s passion for the industry and work with the DeCA pet category brought her to the attention of Pet Insight, said Katie Murdoch, the magazine’s managing editor.
“The annual Leading Retail Pet Executives series honors individuals like Ms. Brown for their credibility, authenticity, initiative and unshakable drive to improve the health, safety and quality of life of pets,” Murdoch said. “We are pleased to have had the opportunity to work with her on this year’s Leading Retail Pet Executives series, recognizing her skills, determination and collaboration with industry peers.”
The attention pet owners put on their furry family members continues to grow in sales. Worldwide, the pet industry generated over $320 billion in sales – over $152 billion in the U.S. alone. Brown helped the agency ride that sales wave in 2025 with commissary sales in pet products up 3.1% versus 2024.
She worked with her pet suppliers to spearhead the launch of pet expos at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, and Fort Lee, Virginia, commissaries, resulting in double-digit sales growth for those stores. In 2026, DeCA plans to hold seven pet expos including one event in Hawaii.
“We now carry some of the top products available in the industry, and we’ve been on the forefront of bringing new innovations into the pet categories,” Brown said. “Pet food and treats are the two biggest sales generators for the pet industry, so I worked with our suppliers to revise our pet categories and ensure commissaries carried the top brands and healthier selections our consumers want for their pets.”
Darrell Clary, category manager who oversees pet food, health and beauty products and other non-consumable products in the agency’s Sales, Non-Fresh Directorate, witnessed firsthand Brown’s work in the category.
“I am proud that Cheryl has been recognized as one of the 2025 Leading Retail Pet Executives,” he said. “She works to provide the military patron with everyday savings for their extended ‘family’ pets, while ensuring that patrons’ needs are met with high-quality products at affordable pricing.
“Cheryl continues to extend DeCA’s offering to ensure that as the pet business evolves DeCA is evolving with the business, ensuring the best price and cutting-edge products in the market.” -DeCA-
About DeCA: The Defense Commissary Agency operates a worldwide chain of commissaries providing groceries to military personnel, retirees, disabled veterans and other authorized patrons and their families in a safe and secure shopping environment. Commissaries provide a military benefit, saving authorized patrons thousands of dollars annually on their purchases compared to similar products at commercial retailers. The discounted prices include a 5-percent surcharge, which supports the costs of building, modernizing and sustaining commissary facilities. A core military family support element and valued part of military pay and benefits, commissaries contribute to family readiness, enhance the quality of life for America’s military services and their families, and help recruit and retain the best and brightest men and women to serve their country.