PPAI’s Tina Filipski, far left, and Paul Bellantone, far right, presented the PPB Rising Stars honors to this year’s recipients (from left, back row) Adam Taylor, Ray Jimenez, Michael Marias and Jill Albers; (middle row) Megan Zezzo; Jessica Hutwelker, MAS; Ashley McCune; Sasha Pirrie and Andrea Jaeckels, MAS; (front row) Kirby Hasseman. PPAI’s Tina Filipski, far left, and Paul Bellantone, far right, presented the PPB Rising Stars honors to this year’s recipients (from left, back row) Adam Taylor, Ray Jimenez, Michael Marias and Jill Albers; (middle row) Megan Zezzo; Jessica Hutwelker, MAS; Ashley McCune; Sasha Pirrie and Andrea Jaeckels, MAS; (front row) Kirby Hasseman.

On Sunday evening at the Omni Nashville hotel, PPB magazine recognized its 2015 Rising Stars at a reception and dinner honoring the 10 outstanding young leaders from companies across the industry. The dinner marked the opening the PPAI North American Leadership Conference this week in Nashville, Tennessee. PPB editor Tina Berres Filipski made the presentation along with PPAI President and CEO Paul Bellantone, CAE. Each honoree received a commemorative watch provided by supplier SELCO.

“These are the ones who will sustain and grow our industry in the decades to come,” said Filipski. “Those who preserve the industry’s legacy take on a vital responsibility to keep it strong and innovative. These are the ones to watch.”

All 10 were on hand to enjoy the celebration in their honor including:

Jill Albers, executive director of global sales, Shumsky

Kirby Hasseman, owner, Hasseman Marketing & Communications

Jessica Hutwelker, MAS, account manager, Sunrise Identity

Andrea Jaeckels, MAS, training and project coordinator, AIA Corporation

Ray Jimenez, national sales manager, Pacific Western Sales

Michael Marias, director of sales—Midwest Region, Hit Promotional Products

Ashley McCune, vice president of marketing and communications, Facilis Group

Sasha Pirrie, vice president of sales, western region, Logomark

Adam Taylor, vice president of development, Essent Corporation

Megan Zezzo, outside national account rep, Jetline

Read more about the accomplishments and contributions of this year’s Rising Stars, plus comments from their nominators, in PPB’s September issue.