PPB November 2018

by James Khattak R. Renée Jones, MAS+, CEO of A Creative Touch, Inc. and Bill Mahre, president of ADG Promotional Products were elected in September to the PPAI Board of Directors. In addition, Amy Rabideau, MAS, director of purchasing at distributor Summit Group, has been appointed as the RAC delegate to the board. The new board members and RAC board delegate will begin their terms immediately following The PPAI Expo 2019. Jones and Mahre will serve four-year terms, while Rabideau’s term is for two years. “The opportunity to serve members as a member of the PPAI board is one which requires a tremendous amount of personal and professional sacrifice,” says Dale Denham, MAS+, PPAI board chair. “As chair of PPAI and a member who will benefit from their commitment, I thank Renee, Bill, and Amy for the contributions they will make to the health of this industry.” The board of directors is the governing body for PPAI and plays a major role in directing its strategic activities, adopting policies and approving budgets to carry out the work of the Association. PPB spoke with the new board members about their qualifications and goals for their terms on the board. R. Renée Jones, MAS+ Jones has worked in the promotional products industry for almost 20 years and is a committed PPAI volunteer. She has served on the Certification Committee, Professional Development Committee, Women’s Leadership Conference Work Group and the Woman of Achievement Award Advisory Group. Jones is also an active member of the Carolinas Association of Advertising and Marketing Professionals (CAAMP). Outside the industry, Jones is an active volunteer for several local nonprofits, including Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary, the Cleveland County (North Carolina) Youth Assistance Program, the Greater Clover Chamber of Commerce and the Wilmington Central Rotary. In her free time, Jones enjoys traveling with her “prince charming,” Robert. PPB Why do you want to serve on the PPAI Board? Jones I am interested in representing the small, independent distributors and small suppliers who make up the majority of the Association. PPB What unique strengths and experiences do you bring to the PPAI board? Jones I have more than three decades of leading volunteers and 19 years in the industry. I think this will help me to encourage others to become involved and stay involved in the Association. PPB What would you like to accomplish during your board term? Jones I’m hoping that we can focus more on education that will result in running a more successful business. PPB: Are there any industry challenges or issues that you’d like to see renewed focus on? Jones: I believe that if we can provide needed education [in the areas] that independent distributors face daily, then we can improve processes which will yield better results for the supplier relationship and hopefully the end user experience too. Bill Mahre Mahre has spent the past 10 years in the promotional products industry and throughout his career has assisted with multiple startups and turnaround ventures. A member of the Product Responsibility Advisory Group (PRAG), and active in the Upper Midwest Promotional Professionals (UMAPP) regional association, Mahre also lends leadership and volunteer skills to a number of community organizations. He is past president of the board of trustees for Merrick Inc., which provides employment opportunities for people with disabilities; is on the board of directors for the Minneapolis Convention and Visitors Association; is a youth sports coach and board member in the White Bear Lake community; and has led the fundraising auction and events for the St. Odilia Fall Festival Committee. PPB Why do you want to serve on the PPAI Board? Mahre I’m at a legacy point in my business career and am more interested in spending time figuring out how I can help the next generation be more successful. Being a part of the PPAI board is a unique opportunity to share what I have learned over a number of years in different environments and business experiences/ structures, and to provide meaningful value to the PPAI membership. PPB What unique strengths and experiences do you bring to the PPAI board? PPAI Welcomes Jones, Mahre And Rabideau ToThe PPAI Board R. Renée Jones, MAS+ Bill Mahre 90 | NOVEMBER 2018 | CONNECT