As first announced on Monday in a PPB Newslink Breaking News alert, Paul Bellantone, CAE, has joined the senior management team of Sterling, Illinois-headquartered distributor HALO Branded Solutions (PPAI 106462, D15) in the newly created role of senior vice president of sales for the Western U.S. Bellantone was previously president and CEO of PPAI. He reports to Jim Stutz, HALO executive vice president of sales, marketing and business development.

“Paul’s leadership at PPAI the past 20 years will prove to be an exceptional resource for our sales team,” says Stutz. “He will also be responsible for developing relationships with industry distributors and sales professionals who can use HALO’s selling tools and technology to grow their business.”

Marc Simon, CEO of the Sterling, Illinois-based distributor, adds, “Paul is highly respected in our industry and throughout HALO. Many of our senior executives have volunteered at PPAI, and they all hold Paul in the highest esteem. His deep knowledge of our unique industry dynamics and forward view of how industry sales professionals can succeed in the new normal will bring great value to HALO. He is a perfect fit for our executive leadership team and the many initiatives we have in place to continue our successful growth. We feel very fortunate that Paul chose to join HALO.”

Bellantone says, “I have had deep respect for what the HALO team has accomplished since I came into the industry. Their capabilities and culture as an organization are an excellent fit for me and I look forward to collaborating with this talented team as I begin this new and exciting chapter in my life.”

Bellantone had announced late last year that he would be leaving PPAI in March 2021, after more than two decades with the Association. He had been president and CEO since 2011. “It is indeed good news that Paul will remain in the promotional products industry and, on behalf of PPAI, we wish him all the best in this new role,” says PPAI Board Chair Todd Pottebaum, MAS+.