development in promotional products. You’re one of fewer than 30 people to have earned the MAS+ certification. Why has that always been such a personal emphasis? Jenkins: I think I was exposing myself to different parts of the industry. You know, I worked for one supplier for a long time, and so it came from recognizing that I needed to have more knowledge of our customers and what they’re really doing, what my competitors are doing at all different size of suppliers. It wasn’t just the education and the topics – it was also the community in that process, too. A lot of that was in person. Most all of mine was in person. There weren’t really online opportunities when I did all that, so I got to benefit from all that interaction and all the different events, and to see those events come and go and grow and change was part of it, too. It was important, especially with the PPAI volunteerism, to make sure that I saw all levels of the education track so I could speak to it to members and speak to it in the boardroom. PPAI Media: Speaking of the PPAI Board, what finally possessed you to run for it after the years of committee work, and what did you enjoy about that time? Jenkins: I had done some volunteering on the committees and had some interaction with the PPAI staff there. And I actually had a past chair, I think, or immediate past chair reach out to me about it. I really hadn’t thought about it, to be honest. But I guess I kind of jumped at it because I was ready for something new and different. And I knew I enjoyed being exposed to a wider world of all of these ideas and people that I wasn’t going to be exposed to in my current job. I’m glad I did it, because that opened up a lot of things. I was already traveling a lot for my company, even some international travel, but not in the way that I ended up doing once I became involved with PPAI and the volunteerism there. I enjoyed the trips to Hong Kong, to Dusseldorf, and not just the places. But I saw the innovation and products and different ways of doing business. Also, meeting the people and having those conversations that I wouldn’t have been able to have if I wouldn’t have been involved with PPAI. PPAI Media: Promotional products have been your entire career, and the business has brought you so many of the professional and worldly experiences that you’ve had. You’ve given so much to it. How do you feel about the industry? Jenkins: I mean, that’s obviously been our livelihood as a family, right? So, it’s been really important. I’ve taken my job way too seriously, probably. But it’s always been the primary thing that is the foundation for everything at home, and the security at home, and all the rest of it. But it’s also been a great place for relationships. My best friends are in the industry. With my travels, it’s just the way it worked. They are important to me. They’re important to my family. Some of my best friends, I’ve been friends with for over 20 or 25 years based on our travels together or our work together. Obviously, everyone says timing is everything. And the timing was perfect for me when I started, where I started, and the timing just continued to be really good. Obviously, we all make mistakes, but I just feel like mine were minimalized by the opportunities that were almost endless. Ellis is the publisher and editor-in-chief of PPAI Media. PPAI Hall of Fame | Must Read “Obviously, everyone says timing is everything. And the timing was perfect for me when I started, where I started, and the timing just continued to be really good.” PPAI • JANUARY 2025 • 53
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