PPB January 2018

PPAI 2018 Award Winners | FEATURE B enjamin Franklin believed that an investment in knowledge pays the best interest, and for Charles G. Duggan II, MAS+, his investment in helping to educate fellow industry professionals has certainly paid dividends. “I love taking what I know and being able to share that knowledge with others,” says Duggan. “The part that drives me is telling people what promotional products can do. The educational standpoint is what has excited me from the start. The bottom line is we’re in an awesome industry, and my lifelong goal is to help others in the industry.” Duggan has applied his devotion to education through his volunteer service with PPAI and Promotional Products Association Midwest (PPAM) for more than 20 years, and his efforts have been recognized with the PPAI Distinguished Service Award, which he will be presented with duringThe PPAI Expo in Las Vegas this month. Duggan, who began his promotional products career with Alexander Manufacturing Co. before moving to MagnaTel, Astor Chocolate and then to his current home at Goldstar, says his role as a supplier is not one of a product seller; rather, his goal is to help distributors. “My job is to help distributors help themselves, and that’s all about showing distributors how promotional products are being used in the marketplace.” Distributor Ted Davies, one of several who nominated Duggan for the award, has been the grateful recipient of Duggan’s efforts to help him succeed. “Just a couple suppliers understand how to market a product. That is what makes Charles stand light years apart from everyone else,” says Davies. “Some call it program selling—I call it a game changer. He is a true partner.” Duggan’s volunteer service with PPAI dates back to the mid-1990s, when he served on the MAS/CAS Certification Board, eventually serving as committee chair from 2003 to 2005. Duggan’s PPAI service also includes time on the Board of Directors, Executive Committee, Global Task Force and several action groups. The lessons learned from volunteer leadership, says Duggan, filter down into his own job. “Volunteer service has been an integral part of my job,” he says. “I love the ability to wear different hats; to be able to look at the business from different perspectives has helped me in my own work,” he says. Bruce Felber, MAS, has witnessed firsthand his friend’s volunteer achievements and is one of Duggan’s nominators for the award. “Every committee, task force, board position and group has felt the passion Charles brings to the table,” says Felber. “Charles deserves this recognition for his years of service and support for the industry, For The Love Of Learning Education is at the heart of Charles Duggan’s history of industry service. by Jen Alexander 2018 A WARD R ECIPIENT Distinguished Service Award ™ “Volunteer service has been an integral part of my job,” he says. “I love the ability to wear different hats; to be able to look at the business from different perspectives has helped me in my own work.” Duggan and his son, Joshua, with PPEF Scholarship recipient and Boston College student Maddy Lowdermilk (left), Cathy Lowdermilk and Ellie Lowdermilk. | JANUARY 2018 | 37