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JANUARY 2017
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89
Celebrating Leadership Excellence
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FEATURE
J
oe Scott is the kind of guy you’d want
as your business partner, your trusted
confidant, your mentor, your colleague,
your neighbor, your friend. His easygoing
manner and quiet confidence draw people
to him, but his dedication to giving back to
help others and his industry make him a
standout volunteer on many levels.
Scott, vice president of distributor
Scott & Associates, Inc. in Chanhassen,
Minnesota, will be recognized with PPAI’s
highest honor for volunteerism, the
Distinguished Service Award, this month
at The PPAI Expo.
Volunteerism is something Scott
learned as a boy by watching his mom
and dad, who were active volunteers in
their community. He saw the impact of
his parents’ involvement on the lives of
others, and he and his brothers benefitted
from being included in his parents’ local
network. So when Scott was asked to
contribute an article to this magazine
in 1996, he jumped in with both feet. “I
had never done such a thing,” he admits,
adding that he accepted the challenge but
stressed out about the article. He says he
was surprised to see that his article was
only lightly edited and published. Since
then, he’s gone on to write a number
of articles for
PPB
as well as for other
industry and business publications.
Once he discovered how good it felt
to contribute, he looked for other ways
to get involved. And there were plenty of
opportunities for the smart, unflappable
Scott, who always kept his promises. He
began to share his industry expertise from
the podium as an in-demand industry
speaker at PPAI, SAGE and regional
association shows, and through PPAI
webinars. Over the years, he’s also spoken
about promotional marketing to high
school and college students as a PPAI
Advocate presenter.
In 2005 he took his volunteerism to
the next level when he was elected to
the board of directors for the Upper
GIVING BACK
COMES FULL CIRCLE
Joe Scott’s sel ess contributions earn him the
2017 PPAI Distinguished Service Award
by
Tina Berres Filipski
“Volunteers are the soul of our
Association … Every interaction
we have with a member in need,
no matter how small, has the
potential to change a life—both
personally and professionally.”
Joe Scott, second from right, enjoys some down time with
his soccer team, Nations United, for which he plays goalie.