

SEPTEMBER 2015 •
PPB
• 39
IN MY SPARE TIME
“I like to spend my spare time with
my family, coaching Little League
baseball and youth soccer, and fix-
ing arcade games to get them in
my basement for the kids to enjoy.
It’s a really fun time to be a coach
because the kids are just getting to
the age where they understand the
mechanics and strategy of the
games.”
ALTERNATIVE CAREER
“I’ve always had an interest in med-
icine and health services, so I’d be
a doctor, nurse or physical thera-
pist—something along those lines
where I could use my skills to
improve and save lives. I’d also
want to infuse technology with
those to help me do it.
ON MY DESK RIGHT NOW
Family pictures, including the dog;
development magazines; assorted
tech gadgets like an iPod, iPhone
and tablets; a strategy board game
called “Betrayal at House on the
Hill” that he plays with the support
team and the developers; and dish
full of candy that makes his col-
leagues want to visit him more often.
INDUSTRY CHANGES
HE’D LIKE TO SEE
“The supply chain needs technology
that provides our industry the same
conveniences available to us as
consumers. Doing business should
be as easy and convenient as retail
shopping—and it’s getting to the
point where it’s expected.”
WHY ADAM IS A RISING STAR
Nominator
Eric Alessi, Essent
Corporation
, says: “Adam cares
deeply about the success of his
company, coworkers and customers.
He went right from college into the
promotional products industry,
immersing himself in his customers’
businesses to understand what
makes them tick so he could make
them better. He has a vision to
apply technology to industry prob-
lems to make the industry stronger.
At just 25 years old he was consult-
ing with a number of the largest dis-
tributors to guide them on business
practices. He’s also a father of four
under 10 years of age and an avid
community volunteer and coach.”
PPB
’S 2015 RISING STARS WERE recognized at a reception and dinner in their
honor during the opening night of the PPAI North American Leadership Conference in
Nashville, Tennessee, on August 9. Presenters Tina Berres Filipski (far left) and Paul
Bellantone (back right) presented each with a stylish, commemorative watch generously
donated by supplier SELCO.
“I really like helping
people be successful
whether it’s guiding a
colleague through a
project or creating
technology that allows a
customer to do the
impossible.”
Tina Berres Filipski is editor of
PPB.