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some new things. To open some new doors.
PPB
: What would you like to accomplish during
your board term?
Rosin:
There are a number of industry issues I
would like to focus on, including interactive trade
shows and programming that continue to draw more
invested audiences. We also need to continue to
put resources toward research, lobbying, education,
product safety and the Get In Touch! initiative, and
connect our market strategies to younger buyers and
potential new members.
If having a sense of purpose in the
workplace is important, can PPAI, and its
membership, develop social innovation programs?
Unequivocally, I say
yes
. Let’s consider progressive
learning and teach sales and marketing
techniques that respond to the undeniably young
and
advancing buyer mindset. Can we connect
with colleges and create a promotional products
curriculum? Can we build a plan to recruit from
local colleges and establish a robust internship
program for our members? Yes, we can.
Sharon Willochell
Willochell has worked in promotional products
for nearly 20 years and is a longtime volunteer with
PPAI, having served on
the Women’s Leadership
Conference Workgroup
and as a speaker for
WLC and for the North
American Leadership
Conference. She has
also been a speaker for
the Promotional Product
Professionals of Canada and several PPAI panels.
In her community, Willochell has served on the
board of directors for Leadership Pittsburgh and
on committees for the American Heart Association
and Strong Women, Strong Girls. Her previous work
experience includes stints at Deloitte & Touche and
Alcoa. Willochell and her husband, Ron, have a nine-
year-old son, Jonah.
PPB:
Why do you want to serve on the PPAI Board?
Sharon Willochell:
I’ve been in the industry for
more than 18 years, and have had the opportunity
to be involved in a variety of ways. I’m thrilled
to have the opportunity now to contribute at the
board level to the future direction of the industry. I
care about this industry. I want to see us continue
to be strong and to capitalize on the opportunities
we have in the fast-moving and dynamic business
climate that exists today.
PPB:
What unique strengths and experiences do
you bring to the PPAI board?
Willochell:
I’m fortunate to have been able to
develop a variety of different perspectives in
different roles within the industry. I was with
Leed’s when we were a small supplier, helped
build us into a mid-size supplier, and now as
part of Polyconcept North America, we are one
of the largest suppliers in the industry and as
part of Polyconcept, one with global reach. With
PCNA’s acquisition of Trimark in 2011, I’ve had
the opportunity to expand my knowledge to
apparel as well as hard goods, and learn more
about the Canadian market. In terms of strengths
I think one of the things I do very well is to move
between high-level strategic vision and more
tactical execution management. I believe it is
critical at this time for us to think very broadly
and strategically, but be able to translate that into
action quickly.
PPB:
What would you like to accomplish during
your board term?
Willochell:
I am thrilled to be on the board, and
coming in at a time when we are embarking on
our new strategic plan. One thing I am certain of
is that there will be a technology component to
that plan, both in terms of operations—supplier-
distributor efficiencies—as well as market
opportunities—online presence and our place in
the digital advertising world. I think we have to
push forward aggressively in these two areas and
I would like to see us make significant progress
during my tenure.
PPB:
Are there any industry challenges or issues
that you’d like to see renewed focus on?
Willochell:
I believe compliance will
continue to be an issue we need to stay
focused on. Our focus on the role of
promotional products with our Get In Touch!
campaign is also critical in my view.
D’Anna Zimmer, CAS
Zimmer has worked as a supplier rep for
more than 19 years. She has been involved
with the Promotional
Products Association
Southwest (PPAS) since
early in her career and
has served two terms
as board vice president,
two terms as president
and several terms as
RAC Delegate. She is
a four-time participant in PPAI’s Legislative
Education Action Day (L.E.A.D.) and helped
PPAS host L.E.A.D. Local in Austin, Texas, in
2015. Additionally, Zimmer is involved with
mission outreach work at Prestonwood Baptist
Church. She leads the prayer ministry for
her Bible fellowship class, The Encouragers,
which was the class started by Zig Ziglar.
PPB:
Why do you want to serve on the PPAI Board?
D’Anna Zimmer, CAS:
It will be a great learning
experience for me and I believe that I will be a
good representative for the regional associations
and their members.
PPB
: What unique strengths and experiences do
you bring to the PPAI board?
Zimmer:
I have 20-plus years of being in the
trenches and out on the road as a supplier rep and
this certainly brings a different perspective to the
board. Additionally, a large portion of my career
has been spent volunteering for an industry for
which I am passionate. Volunteering is a wonderful
experience. It deepens your understanding of the
industry, makes you more resilient and teaches you
how to better manage your time.
PPB
: What would you like to accomplish during
your board term?
Zimmer:
I don’t have a mission or an agenda of my
own to implement during my term. I do want to gain
more knowledge about the industry. Additionally, I
hope to walk away with deeper friendships and a
larger bank of mentors during my term.
PPB
: Are there any industry challenges or issues
on which you’d like to see renewed focus ?
Zimmer:
As an industry we struggle with bringing
younger folks into the fold. Engaging them once
they enter also proves difficult. I know this is being
addressed and I am looking forward to seeing a
new generation enter our industry.
Sharon Willochell
D’Anna Zimmer, CAS
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NOVEMBER 2016
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