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IN MEMORIAM
Stan Breckenridge, MAS
,
past chair of the PPAI Board of
Directors and a lifetime member
of the Association, passed away
on 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 pro-
motional 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 outspo-
ken advocate for the
industry and the power
of promotional products, con-
tributing guest columns to
numerous digital and print publi-
cations.
“We are all terribly saddened
by the passing of Stan
Breckenridge and offer our deep-
est 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 com-
mittees 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 desig-
nation 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 con-
tacted 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, presi-
dent 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 cor-
rectly called the numbers back
out to the group. Remarkable.”
Paul Kiewiet, MAS+, execu-
tive 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 compli-
ment 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 tire-
less 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 grandchil-
dren.
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 per-
son 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 oth-
ers and bring out their best.
Akbar’s life
was one of
hard work,
persever-
ance, wis-
dom 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.
CONNECT
96 •
PPB
• DECEMBER 2015
Akbar Bandeali
PEOPLE NEWS
Stan
Breckenridge,
MAS