Distributors

AIA Corporation (UPIC: advinadv)—Greg Armstrong, promoted to vice president of supplier relations and marketing, and Stacey McConnell, MAS, promoted to senior manager of marketing strategy and execution

Geiger (UPIC: Geiger)—Kimberly Beaudin, MAS, promoted to director of supply chain management-global services; Patrick Blanchard, CAS, promoted to marketing project manager; and Janice Hadfield, MAS, promoted to marketing project manager supervisor

The Perfect Promotion (UPIC: Perfect2)—Chelsea Caplan, promoted to account manager, and Jamie Hollister, account coordinator

Representatives

CNB Incentives (UPIC: CNB)—Melissa Sarreal, sales representative

Suppliers

Bruce Fox, Inc. (UPIC: BRUC0003)—Cheryl Gallup, senior sales consultant

Cap America, Inc. (UPIC: CAPAMRCA)—Mark Gammon, vice president of sales

Cutter & Buck (UPIC: CUTT0001)—Bryan Kennedy and Shannon Hartman, south Texas territory sales; Melissa Tate, north Florida sales; Jim Stukel, central Florida sales; Mike Leone and Robert Leake, North Carolina sales; Greg Lobrillo, South Carolina sales, and Kathryn Parciak, Illinois sales

Gemline (UPIC: GEMLINE)—Melissa Deckelman, regional sales manager for Northern California and Nevada

Golden Pacific (UPIC: GPACIFIC)—Jamie Hudson of Hudson Marketing to be its representative in the Southeast territory—Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia; and Brian Ketterlin of Bridge Marketing to be its representative in the Southwest territory—Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas

Hub Pen Company (UPIC: HUBPEN)—Myat Zar, supply chain associate

Jornik Manufacturing Corp. (UPIC: JORNIK)—Mark and Jenna Larned of Freedom Line Marketing to be its representatives in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont

Logomark (UPIC: logomark)—Scott Pearson, executive vice president and chief revenue officer

The Magnet Group (UPIC: THEM8674)—Cathy Cummings, key accounts

Marlo Plastic Products, Inc. (UPIC: Marlo)—Manny Fomelos, vice president of sales

Pro Towels (UPIC: PROTOWEL)—Melissa Matenkosky, promoted to national accounts inside sales

StrombergBrand (UPIC: 1ASTRMBG)—Tina Jameson, representative in North and South Carolina; Tobin James of TCJ Marketing, Inc. representative in Florida and Puerto Rico; Bo Turner of Turner and Associates, representative in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee

Sweda Company, LLC (UPIC: Sweda)—Kellie Claudio, promoted to senior vice president of sales and marketing, and Ryan Scott, promoted to director of sales

Tekweld (UPIC: tekweld)—Aram Tessier, chief operating officer and executive vice president of manufacturing

Tukaiz, LLC (UPIC: Tukaiz)—James Eby, chief creative officer for its subsidiary agenz

Visions/Awardcraft (UPIC: VISIONS)—Wendy Simons, executive accounts manager

Warwick Publishing Company (UPIC: WARWICK)—Kelsey Rankin, digital marketing manager.

In Memoriam: Stan Breckenridge, MAS

Stan Breckenridge, MAS, past chair of the PPAI Board of Directors and a lifetime member of the Association, passed away September 22 at age 66. Breckenridge was senior vice president of sales for Fairport, New York-based supplier Mastercraft Decorators/The Guildlines.

Breckenridge’s career in promotional products spanned nearly 30 years. He was senior vice president of sales and marketing for Toledo, Ohio, supplier Sabina for a number of years, and held the same title for Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, supplier Moderne Glass Co., Inc. In 2012, he joined Mastercraft.

Breckenridge was an active and outspoken advocate for the industry and the power of promotional products, contributing guest columns to numerous digital and print publications.

“We are all terribly saddened by the passing of Stan Breckenridge and offer our deepest condolences to his wife Joyce, his family and his friends,” says PPAI President and CEO Paul Bellantone, CAE. “He was a tireless advocate and volunteer for our industry, a powerful leader of our board of directors, a courageous fighter and loyal colleague and friend. Stan has left an indelible mark on PPAI and the industry he served, and I know I speak for the association community when I say we miss his presence already.”

A dedicated volunteer, he donated thousands of hours to serving his industry. He was a member of numerous PPAI committees including the Public Relations Committee, Supplier Committee and Nominating Committee, which he chaired. He was also elected to the PPAI board and served from 2005-2010, including as board chair in 2008-2009. In addition to PPAI, he provided leadership to his regional association, Three Rivers Advertising Specialty Association (TRASA) where he served on its board of directors.

Breckenridge earned his MAS designation in 2003, and was inducted into the TRASA Hall of Fame that same year.

“We at TRASA are very shocked and sad to hear about Stan,” says Patti Ward, TRASA executive director. “Just last week he contacted me indicating that he would like to run for the 2016 TRASA board. We were looking forward to having him serve in a new role on the membership committee. Stan made us all laugh at his jokes and he always had a smile on his face. He was a dedicated volunteer and a true friend to many. He will be truly missed.”

Sherri Lennarson, MAS, president of Having Fun Promotions, served with Breckenridge on the PPAI board. “Stan had a great love for life and people,” she remembers. “He was always ready with a funny story or a joke. When he greeted you, it was not just in passing, it was with genuine interest and care. Stan had an incredible memory. I remember him asking a group to shout out numbers that he jotted on a white board at a leadership meeting. After a mere glance, Stan turned his back on the board and immediately and correctly called the numbers back out to the group. Remarkable.”

Paul Kiewiet, MAS+, executive director of the Michigan Promotional Professionals Association (MiPPA), also served with him on the board. “Stan Breckenridge was one of the most inspiring people I’ve ever met,” he says. “Nothing could stop Stan. Life threw everything it could at him and he faced it with courage and grace. He started each conversation with a compliment and ended with a joke—usually groaners but always bringing a smile. And he would, without embarrassment, give a sincere ‘I love you.’ His resilience and tenacity were inspirational and his attitude always uplifting. He will be missed.”

Another who worked with Breckenridge during his board service was Gene Geiger, MAS+, CEO of Geiger. “Stan was a tireless and significant contributor to the industry and PPAI, including being the first person to raise the flag on Prop 65 and the potential it has for causing us problems. More importantly, Stan was a genuine, caring and very good man. May we all be remembered that way by others when we have passed.”

In the field of glassware and ceramics, he was recognized by the Society of Glass & Ceramic Decorators for his instrumental work in the passage of an FDA amendment to the Food and Drug Regulatory Modernization Act of 1997.

Breckenridge earned a degree from Geneva College in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1971 and he was a member of College Hill United Methodist Church.

He is survived by his wife, Joyce; son, Nick; daughter-in-law, Angie, and four grandchildren.

In Memoriam: Akbar Bandeali

Akbar Bandeali, president of FIEL – Fairdeal Import & Export Ltd, passed away September 27. He was 72.

In a statement, the Mississauga, Ontario, and Orlando, Florida-based supplier says, “Akbar left behind a great legacy and went peacefully. He was a vibrant and passionate person who impacted the lives of many people. His unique gift of encouragement extended beyond his work, as he was given the ability to see potential in others and bring out their best. Akbar’s life was one of hard work, perseverance, wisdom and generosity. He lived his life to the fullest. We are truly blessed to have shared a positive, loving and adventurous life with Akbar.”

FIEL will continue to operate under Bandeali’s sons and daughters, Arif Bandeali, Asif Bandeali, Munira Kasamali and Mumtaz (Taz) Tharoo.