Rising Stars | Must Read David Geiger, 36 Vice President & General Counsel Geiger Lewiston, Maine What excites you about promo? The fast-paced nature, the passion of the people in the industry, relationships, figuring out creative solutions and that no day is the same. What does the industry need to do to attract and retain more young leaders? We need to touch base with these young leaders and figure out ways to get them involved because they’re hungry, driven and want to make an impact. Unfortunately, our industry doesn’t always create situations where young people can thrive. They want stability out of college, and sometimes our industry is commission-based. But we have to get talented people into the industry and get them connected, because there are a ton of knowledgeable people who want to share their wisdom. What’s it like being the fifth generation at Geiger? It’s been a great journey for me figuring out where I can be a part of the business and make an impact. One of the reasons I went to law school is that I wanted to bring something different to the business other than my last name. A lot of people in the company have known me since birth. Some people have been with us longer than I’ve been alive, so it’s about demonstrating my value to all of them and showing them that I have their back. How can the promotional products industry improve its reputation? Sustainability comes to mind. It’s going to become more and more important. In fact, a lot of our clients require us to take steps to make sure we’re being more sustainable. Our industry is known for producing a lot of products that end up in the trash, so we have to figure out a way to be more sustainable, have a circular economy and recycle more. Why do you think you were nominated to be a PPAI Rising Star? I share the traditional values that have been instilled by previous generations of Geigers. We’re always looking at the long term and focused on sustainable growth. The differentiator is figuring out a way to take those traditional values while innovating and being more progressive, because having that balance is needed. PPAI • NOVEMBER 2024 • 53
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