PPB June 2020

See who has moved in—and up—in the promotional world. GOT NEWS? We’ll share it. Send your people news, including high-resolution images, to PPB News Editor James Khattak at JamesK@ppai.org compiled by James Khattak Vicky Kinasz In Memoriam: Bryan Sask Bryan Sask, founder of Surrey, British Columbia, distributor Key Innovations passed away on March 30 following a battle with cancer. He was 69. Sask ran several businesses, including Key Innovations. Active in the promotional products industry and an advocate for it, he was a member of Promotional Products Professionals of Canada for more than 30 years. His son Bryson, who worked with his father for almost 20 years, now leads the distributorship. Outside of the office, Sask was passionate about hockey and actively involved in softball. He coached players for nearly 50 years and as a Master Coach Developer, he trained softball coaches across Canada. Sask is survived by his wife Judith, son Bryson and his wife Hayley, son Aaron and his wife Jennifer, daughter Jillian, granddaughter Ellie and step-granddaughter Audrina, and loving relatives. A service for Sask, limited to immediate family only, was held on April 6 at St. Matthew’s RC Parish. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the BC Cancer Foundation listed under Bryan Sask Memorial. DISTRIBUTORS Geiger (PPAI 105182, D12) — Vicky Kinasz , managing director of UK-based subsidiary GeigerBTC SUPPLIERS Crystal D (PPAI 112326, S8) — Matt Boyles , purchasing coordinator; Linda Chang , production team lead; Justin Heizer , customer service manager; Evan Lodin , production manager, and Devin Martin , national and key accounts manager In Memoriam: Sidney Siegel Sidney Siegel, a pioneer in the promotional products industry and founder of distributor Industrial Contacts in Westbury, New York, passed away on March 29 from complications due to coronavirus. He passed just days before his 93rd birthday. Siegel started Industrial Contacts more than 60 years ago in New York City, even though he lacked funding and experience at the time, and quickly gained a reputation for being one of the most creative minds in the promotional products industry. “His ingenious and clever thinking was one of the reasons for his great success, but it was his charismatic personality combined with his sense of humor that truly made a lasting impression,” says his son, company president Steve Siegel, who has managed the day-to-day company operations for nearly 20 years. His sister, Mindy Siegel-Mevorah, senior vice president, is active in sales, and Steve’s son, Daniel, joined the company five years ago. Siegel’s decades-long journey in the promo industry began in emblematic jewelry and segued into promotional products and custom manufacturing, accomplishing many firsts along the way. His company was one of the first to work with suppliers in Japan, before China became 86 | JUNE 2020 | CONNECT