PPB September 2021

Welcome PPAI’s New President And CEO Dale Denham, MAS+ A s chair of the PPAI Board of Directors and the PPAI Executive Search Committee, in mid-July it was my pleasure to announce that Dale Denham, MAS+, had been selected as the new president and CEO of PPAI. Dale assumed this leadership position in mid-August. Bob McLean, Jr., CPA, CAE, CEM, who had been serving as interim president as well as executive vice president since the departure of former president and CEO Paul Bellantone in March, did an outstanding job for PPAI during this transition, and we are grateful for his strong and dedicated leadership. Bob’s focus on the success of the organization allowed the board to concentrate on the task of finding the Association’s next president. He remains a highly valued member of the staff as executive vice president. The PPAI Executive Search Committee dedicated hundreds of hours to the executive search process. Through that effort, our commitment to sound governance was strengthened and a payoff obtained. After months of diligence, the board unanimously approved the committee’s recommended candidate for president and CEO: Dale Denham. I am exceptionally proud of PPAI for its dedication to a purposeful and comprehensive search process. The patience from the board, directors and staff was crucial to a successful hiring process. Every board chair has had a unique opportunity to witness the dedication, professionalism and care shown by PPAI executives, directors and staff. In an era like no other, coupled with an intensive search process, I’ve had many opportunities to watch this talented group of professionals shine throughout challenging and uncertain conditions, and they’ve earned my deepest respect and gratitude. I also want to thank the Executive Search Committee consisting of Ira Neaman, MAS (PPAI immediate past chair and president of PPAI supplier member, Vantage Apparel); Kevin Walsh, CAS (PPAI vice chair finance and president of PPAI supplier member, Showdown Displays), and Dawn Olds, MAS (PPAI chair-elect and senior vice president of distributor member, HALO). PPAI’s strategic planning consultant, Maura Mitchell of Brandology, as well as PPAI’s General Counsel Cory Halliburton of Weycer, Kaplan, Pulaski & Zuber, P.C., served as advisors to the committee. SearchWide Global, led by Executive Vice President Mark Gnatovic, was PPAI’s executive search consultant. All were instrumental in guiding the committee through this thoughtful and thorough process. I strongly believe Dale is the right leader at the right time for PPAI. He joins the Association after serving as senior vice president and chief information officer for longtime supporting member company, Geiger. Before joining Geiger in 2011, Dale was senior vice president for Advertising Specialty Institute, another leader in the promotional products industry and a key ally to PPAI in legislative advocacy and other common industry interests. Dale’s industry experience, future-focused leadership and technological expertise are great complements to PPAI’s executive team in ways that will allow PPAI to move forward swiftly into the next era. I fully expect Dale will serve PPAI and each of your businesses extremely well. As this membership base and the global economy rise, I am thrilled to see Dale’s enthusiasm for leading PPAI in its continued quest to provide first-class knowledge, community and advocacy to help each of you grow your businesses. perspectives Todd Pottebaum, MAS+ Chair Of The Board I strongly believe Dale is the right leader at the right time for PPAI. He joins the Association after serving as senior vice president and chief information officer for longtime supporting member company, Geiger. 4 | SEPTEMBER 2021 |