PPB August 2019

Irene Kogutt, MAS: Driven To Succeed I rene Kogutt, MAS, was known as a dedicated volunteer, a tenacious fundraiser, a driven businessowner and a persuasive and influential force in the promotional products industry and in her community for decades. She believed in leading by example, whether in her volunteer work for PPAI, the Promotional Products College Education Foundation (PPCEF)— now Promotional Products Education Foundation, (PPEF)— the business and religious organizations to which she belonged or her son, Michael’s, Cub Scout troop. Kogutt, who passed away in 2017, and her late husband, Sam Kogutt, founded Dart Manufacturing Company in 1965 in Dallas, Texas, and transitioned the business into the promotional products industry in 1984. In those days, the industry was still very much a male-dominated industry, but that didn’t stop Kogutt from owning a business and serving at the highest levels of leadership. During her time in the promotional products industry, she was an active giver and a doer. She served on PPAI committees and the PPAI Board of Directors from 1994 to 1998. She was also a passionate volunteer and fundraiser for PPCEF, serving on its board from 1996 to 2000, and as chair in 1998. She was also a strong supporter and active participant in education within the promotional products industry. In 1998, Kogutt was honored by ASI as an outstanding woman in the industry and in 1999 she was named a recipient of the PPAI Distinguished Service Award. Under her leadership, the company won 16 PPAI Supplier Star or Awards of Merit and numerous Supplier Achievement awards over the years. Kogutt led by example as a parent, professional and industry member. She committed numerous hours to many organizations throughout her work and retirement years. She was active in fundraising for Akiba Academy and Yavneh Academy, and was a Cub Scout Den leader, chair of the Business and Professional Woman’s Division of the Jewish Federation of Greater “Irene had a heart of gold and awill of steel. Her passion for many organizations and especially those that championedwomen is a very long list. Her commitment and integrity became the authentic culture of her company and the staff that workedwithher. “ —Kathy Burke, MAS Woman of Achievement ™ 2019 A WARD R ECIPIENT Irene Kogutt, MAS, and her husband, Sam, owned Dart Manufacturing Company in Dallas, Texas, for 42 years. Women o f Ach i evemen t 54 | AUGUST 2019 | THINK