Jones and Mahre Elected To PPAI Board
IRVING, TX, (September 21, 2018) – Promotional Products Association International (PPAI; ppai.org), the world’s largest not-for-profit trade association serving the more than 15,500 corporate members of the $23.3 billion promotional products industry has announced the election of R. Renée Jones, MAS+, CEO of A Creative Touch, Inc. and Bill Mahre, president of ADG Promotional Products to the PPAI Board of Directors. They will begin their four-year terms immediately following The PPAI Expo 2019 in January.
“We had four outstanding candidates who were willing to give their time to serve the Association,” said Mary Jo Tomasini, MAS, PPAI immediate past board chair. “We are so appreciative of their energy and enthusiasm in campaigning for the board. Our industry is far better because of the exceptional volunteers who give their time, experience and passion to help grow and protect our industry.”
Jones has worked in the promotional products industry for more than 15 years and is an active PPAI volunteer. She has served on the Certification Committee, Professional Development Committee, Legislative Committee, Women’s Leadership Conference Work Group and the Woman of Achievement Award Advisory Group. Jones is also an active member of the Carolinas Association of Advertising and Marketing Professionals (CAAMP).
Prior to working in the promotional products industry, she worked as a marketing director for an automotive parts manufacturer, purchasing promotional items for motorsports teams participating in NASCAR and Indy Car races.
Outside the industry, Jones is an active volunteer for several local nonprofits, including Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary, for which she was the youngest volunteer ever to assume the role of national commander. Jones also has volunteered with the Cleveland County (North Carolina) Youth Assistance Program, the Greater Clover Chamber of Commerce and the Wilmington Central Rotary.
Mahre has worked in the promotional products industry for more than 10 years, and he has assisted with multiple startups and turnaround ventures throughout his career. Prior to his promotional products work, Mahre worked with Procter & Gamble, Minnesota Twins Baseball Business Operations, HealthEast Care System and Minnesota Diversified Industries.
A member of the Product Responsibility Advisory Group (PRAG), Mahre is an active member of Upper Midwest Promotional Professionals (UMAPP) and also lends leadership and volunteer skills to a number of community organizations. He is past president of the board of trustees for Merrick Inc., which provides employment opportunities for people with disabilities; is on the board of directors for the Minneapolis Convention and Visitors Association; is a youth sports coach and board member in the White Bear Lake community; and has led the fundraising auction and events for the St. Odilia Fall Festival Committee.
The board of directors is the governing body for PPAI and plays a major role in directing its strategic activities, adopting policies and approving budgets to carry out the work of the Association. PPAI’s incoming board members bring diverse backgrounds and experiences to the Association’s volunteer leadership.
About PPAI
Founded in 1903, the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI; ppai.org) is the world’s largest and oldest not-for-profit association serving more than 15,500 corporate members of the $23.3 billion promotional products industry which is comprised of more than 40,500 businesses and a workforce of more than 500,000 professionals. PPAI represents the industry in Washington, D.C., and advocates on its behalf. PPAI operates The PPAI Expo, the industry’s largest trade show; provides the leading promotional products safety and compliance program, a prestigious professional development and certification program; and publishes industry trade journals and publications. The multibillion-dollar industry includes wearables, writing instruments, calendars, drinkware and many other items, usually imprinted with a company’s name, logo or message. For more information, visit PPAI.org and find us on Twitter @PPAI_HQ, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Pinterest.
