PPEF Establishes George C. Matteson, Jr. Endowment Fund

When George C. Matteson, Jr. passed away on May 16, 2011, at the age of 82, he had one last card to play in his long relationship with the promotional products industry. Matteson made a generous gift through his estate to create the George C. Matteson, Jr. Endowment Fund for the Promotional Products Education Foundation (PPEF).

The endowment fund is to be used for college scholarships for children of individuals working in the promotional products industry. To honor and thank Matteson for his generosity, the PPEF board of trustees has created the George C. Matteson, Jr. Scholarship, which will be awarded in perpetuity. The first winner of this annual $1,000 scholarship will be announced in early June.

In 1966, Matteson reorganized the family business and launched a new venture as a supplier of playing cards to the gaming and promotional products markets. Over the next 25 years, the company prospered. The GEMACO (UPIC: GEMACO) brand became a highly respected and significant supplier to both markets. In 1992, Matteson and his associates sold the company. He served as chairman emeritus until his retirement in 1994.

Matteson served two terms on the PPAI Board of Directors, was chairman in 1991-1992 and was inaugurated into the PPAI Hall of Fame in 2002.

“What an incredible legacy George Matteson has left behind. He obviously believed in the importance of a college education, and through this final act of generosity to the promotional products industry, George will be helping industry families for generations to come,” says D. Alan Christopher, MAS, PPEF chairman of the board.