Janie Gaunce is president and CEO of Grapevine Designs, LLC in Lenexa, Kansas. She has served as a PPAI Board member, is active in PPAMidwest and is a co-founder of "100 Jobs for 100 Moms.” She is also a member of the University of Kansas Hospital Advancement Board and serves on the board for Amethyst Place.  

Michael is a third-generation co-owner of Shumsky, founded in 1953. Michael developed the concept for boost engagement in 2005, utilizing web technology to deliver effective employee recognition programs. He has been recognized as a global expert in the field of recognition and reward programs, holds over 25 patents for products used in the recognition and promotional industry. He has also been an integral part of developing and managing Shumsky Therapeutic Pillows and Outta the Box Dispensers.

Hillary Feder, MAS, president and founder, Hillary’s LLC. Feder is a leader in strategic plan design, program planning, and branded product design to support enterprise engagement (employee, client, vendor, board, etc) initiatives. Her innovative, analytical, and practical approach shapes company cultures that demonstrate recognition and appreciation in meaningful, relevant ways and that align with a company’s values, brand, and business objectives. 

Hillary is also deeply committed to supporting the community with her leadership. She serves on numerous boards with a deep commitment to each organization’s work. Outside of work, you can find her baking, playing with her grandchildren, speed walking, and re‐energizing at the lake.

In her nine years working at SanMar, Trend Editor Vicki Ostrom has held two jobs. For the first four years, she was a senior designer working on apparel and then five years ago, she transitioned into her current role as full-time trend editor. She knows what it means when things are forecast to be the next big thing in style and fashion. Vicki is also the author of a new trends blog, Trendependent. Vicki Ostrom speaks the language of trends. She tells people where to look for inspiration and she gives advice to consumers and fellow employees alike on staying ahead of what will appeal to our customers.

At 10 years old, Jason Lucash started his first business. Today, Lucash is the senior vice president of marketing and innovation at HPG Brands. Lucash is the founder and CEO of Origaudio, eventually leading the company to acquisition by HPG Brands in 2018. He has been featured as Entrepreneur Magazine's "Entrepreneur of the Year,” on the Inc. 500 Fastest Growing Companies list five times and Time Magazine's "50 Best Inventions."

Carson Roncketto is the chief operating officer at Creative, an award-winning, design-based branded merchandise agency located in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Through her leadership, Roncketto has helped re-engineer a 20-year brand to become a trend-forward, design-centric boutique agency serving clients from multi-billion-dollar retail giants to franchised organizations, tech start-ups and ad agencies. Bringing to Creative a fresh and ambitious vision, she expanded its service offerings to encompass a wide range of solutions that impact businesses such as developing essential core values and branding with purpose. In addition to her work with Creative, she is on the board of PromoKitchen, the industry’s only entrepreneurial, grassroots nonprofit led exclusively by business leaders in the promotional marketing industry. Prior to Creative, Roncketto was the chief learning officer of Circles USA, a national nonprofit committed to helping families move out of poverty and towards economic stability through intentional relationships across class and cultural lines.

Anna Branch is a marketing and brand strategist at Creative, a design-based promotional marketing agency and 2020 PPAI Gold Pyramid winner located in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Branch has helped re-engineer a 20-year brand to become a fashion-forward, design-centric boutique agency serving clients from multi-billion-dollar retail giants to franchised organizations, tech start-ups and ad agencies. With 10-plus years in marketing, brand and creative for independent fashion and beauty brands, Branch brings her experience and eye for design and trend to Creative, elevating its brand and helping clients tell their story through enriching experiences and products with purpose.

Tina Filipski is Editor of PPB and heads up PPAI's publications team which is responsible for producing PPB, PPB Newslink, The Expo Daily and Expo East Daily. She's also staff liaison to the Distributors Committee.

With a career spanning more than 40 years in the promotional products industry, Shulman was one of the first women to climb the corporate ladder to become the vice president of sales at supplier Prime Line. She is now involved in the consultancy, PMS Consulting, and primarily focuses on strategic guidance for trade shows, sales transition, industry events and new product development. She also holds positions on several industry boards. Shulman is the recipient of the PPAI 2020 Woman of Achievement award.

Daryll Harris Griffin, MAS, is a native Atlantan and is president and CEO of Accolades, Inc., a marketing firm she founded in 1990. Prior to entrepreneurship, Griffin was a sales executive with Xerox Corporation, earning both Xerox’s Distinguished Service and Xerox Achievement Awards. She was also a public-school teacher in Dekalb County, Georgia and in St. Louis, Missouri.

Griffin holds a bachelor’s degree from Stephens College, and a master’s degree in Administration and Supervision and a reading specialists’ certification from Washington University. Griffin completed further graduate study at the Kellogg School of Business at Northwestern University through a scholarship from United Parcel Service (UPS), and at the Amos Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth University through a scholarship from Georgia Power Company.

Griffin has been an active member of PPAI and the Georgia Association of Promotional Products Professionals (GAPPP), and has served on numerous PPAI committees, task forces and advisory groups, including the Certification, Leadership and Membership Services committees. She is an industry advocate and speaker, and in 2016 she was recognized as a PPAI Fellow.

In her home city of Norcross, Georgia, Griffin is on the board of the YWCA of Greater Atlanta, where she was inducted into the YWCA Academy of Women Achievers for her dedication to the YWCA and its mission. As a member of the Atlanta Business League (ABL) since 2000, she has served as chair for the board of directors and is currently the board secretary. ABL has honored her with the League’s Leadership Award for her service and in 2015 Accolades was inducted into the Atlanta Business League Hall of Fame. Griffin also served for a decade as secretary of the United Sisterhood of Wheat Street Baptist Church, and as director of Vacation Bible School at Wheat Street, where she is a lifelong member.

She was honored with the PPAI H. Ted Olson Humanitarian Award in 2019 and was also presented with the PPAI Woman of Achievement award that same year.

Roni Wright, MAS, is an accomplished executive with more than 33 years in the promotional products industry, is an integral part of The Book Company’s success as its vice president of sales.

Wright’s volunteerism in support of the promotional products industry includes exemplary service on the PPAI Board of Directors (2007-2011); Regional Association Council (2013-2015); Leadership Advisory Committee (2011-2014); Promotional Products Education Foundation (2008-2011) and as PPEF board chair in 2010; as well as many committees, advisory groups and task forces. She was also recognized as a PPAI Fellow, was recipient of the 2013 PPAI Woman of Achievement and honored with the PPAI Distinguished Service Award in 2007, as well as the YESSA Young Executive of the Year and TRASA Volunteer of the Year and MVP.

Wright’s dedication and enthusiasm for the promotional products industry is demonstrated through her ability to inspire others to take action. In 2010, when Wright was the chair of PPEF, she figured out how to raise money and face her fears. She established the “PPEF I’ll Do Anything Challenge” and stated that if the initiative reached its campaign goal of $10,000, she would go parasailing despite being terrified of heights. As you would expect, Wright helped PPEF achieve their goal and she, indeed, went up in the sky and posted her experience on YouTube.

In addition, Wright is a highly sought-after writer and speaker, facilitating numerous presentations, workshops and webinars, as well as editorial contributions to PPB magazine, and many other industry blogs, newsletters and periodicals.

Esmeralda Anaya is the marketing manager at Terry Town. Throughout her five years of experience in the promotional industry, she has created and executed advertising and content strategies to position Terry Town as a leader in the industry. As a recipient of numerous industry accolades and an active participant in industry conferences and events, she is a proud, bi-cultural professional who strives to create a positive impact in the world. She was named a PPB Rising Star in 2016.

Bryan James, a native of the great state of Louisiana, is co-owner of Corporate Specialty Insignia. Bryan has lived in Atlanta for the past 31 years with wife and business partner Kelly Brown James, daughter, Sydney, and son, Justin.   On May 1, 1993, Bryan James began his entrepreneurial walk of faith by focusing on client outcomes, solving problems, delivering value, exceeding client expectations layered with focusing on client experience in delivering measurable solutions. The James’s have survived the 9/11 impact on economy, the economic recession, a pandemic, industry changes and other business organizational restructuring. Corporate Specialty Insignia focuses on branding solutions and employee recognition. While known by the clients they keep, their focus remains on relationships.

Kristina Valdez is the associate editor of publications at PPAI since 2019. Kristina graduated from Baylor University in Waco, Texas where she worked with numerous publications to create compelling stories.

Kelli Denes has been in the promotional products industry for 15 years and serves as the Director of Business Development at the Vernon Company. Originally from California, she moved to Iowa for fun about 17 years ago, starting with Raining Rose as the 13th employee as a soap maker. She knows the products inside and out! She’s been in sales in some capacity ever since and loves the industry because it’s quirky and exciting, with no two days alike.  Kelli is a Small Networking Team Coordinator where she oversees 15 accountability groups at Mount Mercy University.  In her spare time, she enjoys knitting, baking, and spending time with her family, which includes keeping up with her three kids and remembering to slow down and take it all in.

Nicole Van Vleck, MAS, has been with The Vernon Company for 16 years. Nicole is currently the senior global account executive, partnering with businesses to support their efforts in brand recognition, corporate communication and employee retention using tangible promotional products, excellent customer service and secure buying power. 

Paul Bellantone, CAE, is president and CEO of the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI), the not-for-profit association for more than 16,000 member companies in the $24.7 billion-dollar promotional products industry. Bellantone is responsible for executing the strategies and vision of the PPAI Board of Directors and advocating for the industry and its professional practitioners. His focus on delivering compelling member value and business-building products and services, combined with his commitment to active and meaningful member communication, has helped PPAI achieve marked growth. Bellantone holds a bachelor's degree from Rutgers University and a master’s in business administration from the School of Management at Texas Woman's University. He is a Certified Association Executive and is an active member of the American Society of Association Executives, the Dallas Fort Worth Association Executives, the American Marketing Association, the Dallas/Fort Worth AMA and a board trustee for The Forum: Business Results Through People.

Todd Pottebaum, MAS+, is president of Quality Resource Group (QRG), a branded merchandise and print distributor headquartered in the Minneapolis, Minnesota, area that utilizes technology to cut complexities, streamline processes and gain market share. An aspiring expert in systems, efficiencies and process planning, Pottebaum speaks regionally and nationally at industry events.

Prior to his election to the PPAI Board of Directors in 2017, Pottebaum served the promotional products industry in a wide variety of roles, most notably as president of Upper Midwest Association of Promotional Professionals, and as chair of the PPAI Marketing Information And Research Committee.

Pottebaum studied at the University of Northern Colorado and earned a degree in international trade and relations with an emphasis in economics. His greatest treasures are his wife, Sheri, daughter Savannah, and sons, Jax and Jaeger. He’s a proud Minnesotan who enjoys spending time on the lake with his family. 

Ira Neaman, MAS, founder and president of supplier Vantage Apparel, has joined the PPAI Board of Directors, effective immediately, to fill the seat vacated by Lori Kates, who has stepped down. He was appointed by PPAI Board Chair Dale Denham, MAS+, and approved by the board to fill the remainder of Kates's term, which ends at The PPAI Expo 2022. Neaman graduated from Syracuse University in 1974 and earned his Master of Business Administration degree from Harvard in 1976. He founded Vantage in 1977. An active volunteer in the promotional products industry for more than 40 years, Neaman has served on several PPAI committees, including the Leadership Advisory Committee, the Strategic Planning Committee, and the Marketing and Research Committee, as well as the Promotional Products Education Foundation Board and several industry task forces. In 2002, he became the inaugural recipient of the PPAI Education Lifetime Achievement Award, and Counselor magazine named him its Person of the Year in 2003 and has included him in its Power 50 since 2008.

Tina Filipski is Editor of PPB and heads up PPAI's publications team which is responsible for producing PPB, PPB Newslink, The Expo Daily and Expo East Daily. She's also staff liaison to the Distributors Committee.

Alicia Skipper, CPIM is the PromoGuru at PromoPros. Alicia enjoys finding new and exciting products to share with our clients to help promote their messages. She joined the workgroup for SPARK in 2019 and could not be more thrilled. She has earned the designation of Incentive Professional (IP), and Certified Professional of Incentive Marketing (CPIM) in the incentive industry, and aims to show that same level enthusiasm in everything she does. Alicia is the host of the Generation SPARK Podcast, which dives deeper into SPARK Conference topics, attendee perspectives, presenter insights, and more!

Dr. Leah Flynn Gallant has worked in student affairs and leadership development for close to 20 years. She is the Associate Dean for the Student Organizations, Leadership and Engagement Office at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and provides oversight for a number of leadership initiatives on campus, such as LeaderShape and the Community Catalyst Leadership Program that matches alumni leadership coaches with sophomore student. In addition to her leadership work, Leah completed her PhD at Syracuse University in Cultural Foundations of Education. She also received her Masters in Higher Education Administration from Syracuse. In May, she will take on the position of Talent Development Consultant in the Alumni Association/Resource Development shared services area at MIT.

Brady Peterson is a writer, producer and director with more than 4,000 credits to his name. Prior to founding Scout Creative Media in 2007, he was the creative director for one of the largest advertising agencies in the Western U.S. Josh Eaton founded Media Grabbers Inc, a leading production studio, in 2003. Media Grabber's eye-catching content can be seen on screens large and small, ranging from billboards in Times Square to a social media feeds.

Jo-an Lantz, MAS is Chief Operating Officer, EVP and a member of the Board of Directors for Geiger.  She represents Geiger as the sole US member of the international group WAGE (World Advertising Gift Exchange) serving on their Presidium as Secretary / Treasurer. She served as President for 6 years. WAGE is a 60 year organization with 21 members from 20 different countries.  She has served on a variety of different industry groups and associations including former Chair of the Board of Directors of PPAI.  Jo-an was inducted in the PPAI Hall of Fame in 2009. She is a former ASI International Person of the Year (2004), and a member of ASI Power 50, and the 2014 PPB Woman of Distinction.  Jo-an is an avid Fund Raiser serving on the PPEF Board twice, once as Chair.  She also works with a number of non-profits in training fund raisers in endurance events.

Norm Hullinger, CAS, is CEO of supplier Alphabroder. Since joining the company in 2003, Hullinger has led it through significant milestones, including the 2017 acquisition of supplier Prime Line. He currently serves on the PPAI board of directors.

Paul Bellantone, CAE, is president and CEO of the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI), the not-for-profit association for more than 16,000 member companies in the $24.7 billion-dollar promotional products industry. Bellantone is responsible for executing the strategies and vision of the PPAI Board of Directors and advocating for the industry and its professional practitioners. His focus on delivering compelling member value and business-building products and services, combined with his commitment to active and meaningful member communication, has helped PPAI achieve marked growth. Bellantone holds a bachelor's degree from Rutgers University and a master’s in business administration from the School of Management at Texas Woman's University. He is a Certified Association Executive and is an active member of the American Society of Association Executives, the Dallas Fort Worth Association Executives, the American Marketing Association, the Dallas/Fort Worth AMA and a board trustee for The Forum: Business Results Through People.