Jon Pierce And Dana Zezzo, CAS, Named 2012 PPAI RAC Volunteers Of The Year

Jon Pierce (left) and Dana Zezzo, CAS, the 2012 PPAI RAC Volunteers of the Year

The PPAI RAC Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes the accomplishments of regional association members who have shown exceptional levels of volunteerism and leadership and have made significant, measurable contributions to their associations. For 2012, PPAI and the Regional Association Council (RAC) have named two enthusiastic advocates who have taken their involvement and commitment to the next level—Jon Pierce and Dana Zezzo, CAS.

Since 2004, Jon Pierce, owner of Specialty Marketing Group NW, Inc. (UPIC: smgnw) in Milwaukee, Oregon, has served the industry as a Northwest Promotional Marketing Association (NWPMA) board member and president, RAC delegate and Promotional Marketing Association of Northern California (PMANC) board member, as well as numerous volunteer committees and councils. His strategic leadership style has been instrumental in rebuilding and repositioning the PMANC organization.

“There is no doubt that the vision, dedication and contributions of Jon Pierce have made an indelible mark on the Pacific Northwest promotional products industry,” says Darrell Fronczek, Lanco Corp. (UPIC: LANC0001) sales manager. John Oda, Onyx account director, adds, “Jon has distinguished himself as a true leader, innovator and inspiration to us all.”

When asked about his most important contributions as a regional volunteer, Pierce states, “I tried to bring a consistent, positive, team-oriented approach to regional leadership, first as a committee chair to reposition the NWPMA shows into a Spring and Fall Showcase format, and later to implement strategic planning and budget-oriented accountability for all the various activities of the associations I’ve served.”

Dana Zezzo, CAS, chief marketing officer of Mount Vernon, New York-based Jetline, LLC (UPIC: jetline), headquartered in Mount Vernon, New York, has a legacy of industry service dating back to 2003 when he joined the Three Rivers Advertising Specialty Association (TRASA) board of directors. Since then, he has served as TRASA President, chaired numerous committees and events, and has contributed greatly as a highly regarded speaker and subject matter expert on social media.

“Dana Zezzo exemplifies the utmost in dedication to TRASA and the industry in all that he does,” says Patti Ward, TRASA executive director.

When asked about his approach to volunteer service, Zezzo says, “It’s a ‘Pay It Forward’ approach to helping anyone in the industry better themselves. My motivation comes from a true and sincere love of this industry; I will go to my grave doing everything I can to make it better, every day.”

Pierce and Zezzo will be recognized at the Opening Night Celebration on June 20 in Grapevine, Texas, during the PPAI RAC Leadership Week.