Who We Are … What We Do
Meet Our Team!
Founded in 1974, the New England Promotional Products Association (NEPPA) represents over 300 promotional products companies throughout New England and beyond. We invite you to participate in association activities and take advantage of our member benefits. NEPPA sponsors the two largest industry trade shows in New England, high quality educational programs, and networking events each year where you can meet other industry professionals in our region, develop strong relationships and open doors to new business.
MISSION
Educate, inform, support and communicate to our members in pursuit of an evolving promotional products industry
VISION
Instilling passion and professionalism to achieve members’ business goals
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
RACHEL WRIGHT
President
Leaderpromos
Rachel enjoys spending time with her sons Sam and Ian...
Joined the Board: 2018
Years in Industry: 17
Favorite Pastime: When I am not working, I am often watching my son Sam play baseball, football or basketball or I am watching/critiquing movies with my other son Ian. I also find myself at JP Crossfit doing things I never thought possible. I love living in Roslindale and enjoy taking advantage of all of the wonderful music and art that Boston has to offer.
Favorite thing about the industry: It is different every day! I also love the intersection of creativity and helping clients accomplish business goals!
Favorite Quote: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill
LORI DONOVAN, MAS
Vice President
S&S Activewear
Lori enjoys family time, running - marathon training...
Joined the NEPPA Board: 2019
Years in Industry: 29
Favorite Pastime: Spending time with my husband Brian, daughters Lily (10) and Mackenzie (9) and faithful lab, Seamus (2.5). We love to take family vacations that usually include a nice mix of sightseeing and beaches.
Passion: Running – I love pushing and challenging myself to go faster and farther. I often use marathon training as the blueprint for every other area of my life.
Favorite Thing About the Industry: Hands down, the people. I have never met more passionate, fun, creative, friendly, smart and engaging people in my life.
Favorite Quote: “You don’t know what you don’t know.” I experienced this first hand going from being a distributor to being a supplier.
BEN MacDONALD
Treasurer
The Ad King, Inc.
Ben likes golf, boating, lake life and spending time with friends and family...
Joined the Board: 2021
Years in Industry: 15
Hobbies: Golf, boating, lake life and spending time with my wife Kim and two kids Addyson and Peter
Favorite Pastime: Spending time with friends and family and enjoying life!
Favorite Thing About the Industry: I love that everyday, even every hour, is a bit different. One minute I can be pricing pens and the next clothing. I like the wide variety of items we can sell and how in one day we can offer such a wide array of different products.
Favorite Quote: “The only thing that walks back from the tomb with the mourners is the character of the man.” –Unknown
JESSICA CASAUBON
Secretary
Gemline
Jessica loves trying new recipes and restaurants, concerts, writing, reading...
Joined the NEPPA Board: 2022
Years in Industry: 8
Hobbies: Barre Fanatic, Foodie – love to try new recipes and restaurants, Concerts, Writing, Reading
Favorite Pastime: Spending time with my husband and dog Chance whether we are relaxing at home, taking a hike or soaking up the sun by the water.
Favorite Thing About the Industry: The people! There are so many people with amazing energy, it is so much fun to learn, collaborate and get creative with so many awesome people. There is never a dull moment!
Favorite Quote: “No matter what happens in life, be good to people. Being good to people is a wonderful legacy to leave behind.” – Taylor Swift
CHRISTINE CARPENTER GLEASON, CAS
Immediate Past President
HALO Branded Solutions
Chris likes Working on renovating the "farm," creating memories for my family
Joined the NEPPA Board: 2018
Years in the Industry: 14
Hobbies: Working on renovating the “farm,” creating memories for my family, creating flower arrangements and venues for weddings, working in my gardens and most of all my new grandson.
Favorite Pastime: Relaxing with my family
Favorite Thing About the Industry: I love the people…
Favorite Quote: “You can’t get where you’re going until you know
where you have been.”
EMILY CODNER, MASI
Director
IpromoteU
Emily likes Taking walks, enjoying Philadelphia Eagles football...
Joined the NEPPA Board: 2024
Age: 40
Years in the Industry: 15
Hobbies: Taking walks, enjoying Philadelphia Eagles football, going to concerts and being outside.
Favorite Pastime: Spending time with my family and friends, trips to Disney and Hanson concerts with my best friend.
Favorite Thing About the Industry: The people! We truly are a promo family, a trait that sets us apart from any other industry.
Favorite Quote: “Fight for the things that you care about. But do it in a way that will lead others to join you.” – Ruth Bader Ginsburg
LISA FOSDICK
Director
Branded Treats
Lisa enjoys Skiing, beach combing, writing, photography...
Joined the NEPPA Board: 2024
Age: Forever Fifty
Years in the Industry: 30 plus
Hobbies: Skiing, beach combing, writing, photography
Favorite Pastime: Hanging out with the family! Being outside around a firepit with friends.
Favorite Thing About the Industry: So many favorite things. The evolution of technology, learning about different ways to run a business in promo, the entrepreneurial spirit of the industry, the amazing opportunities for everyone to prosper and make a good life in the industry and so much more!
Favorite Quote: I love these song lyrics from Tom Petty, “It felt so good, like anything was possible… Runnin’ down a dream, that never would come to me, goin’ wherever it leads, I’m runnin’ down a dream.”
TIM FOX, CAS
Director
Spector & Co.
Tim likes sports, travel, concerts, collecting...
Joined the NEPPA Board: 2023
Years in the Industry: 8
Hobbies: Sports, Travel, Concerts, Collecting
Favorite Pastime: Spending time with my wife Kelly, and 2 year old daughter Maddie Mae.
Favorite Thing About the Industry: The people! I love being a resource to help distributors solve problems for their clients.
Favorite Quote: “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take” – Wayne Gretzky
NICK MCALLEY
Director
Hit Promotional Products
Nick enjoys hiking, biking, snowboarding, camping...
Joined the NEPPA Board: 2023
Years in the Industry: 4
Hobbies: Hiking, Biking, Snowboarding, Camping
Favorite Pastime: Winter Ski trips with family.
Favorite Thing About the Industry: The subject matter Is light and fun, projects never ending, and times always changing. Being able to help customers stay relevant in this fast paced environment is what It’s all about.
Favorite Quote: “If you can dodge a wrench you can dodge a ball.” – Patches O’Houlihan
SARAH MCMAHON
Director
Bamko
Sarah enjoys antiquing, football, hiking, traveling...
Joined the NEPPA Board: 2024
Years in Industry: 10
Hobbies: Antiquing, Football, Hiking, Traveling, Foodie, Cooking, Singing, Music, Graphic Design
Favorite Pastime: Spending time with my boyfriend Jesse and our pup Bella. Soaking in musicals, acting, music, museums, the arts. Winning at game night (specifically the winning part). Screaming at a New England sports team on TV.
Favorite Thing About the Industry: Forcing myself to come out of my comfort zone on a weekly, almost daily, basis. I learn when to be calm, when to be firm, new products, and how to interact with ALL types of people. The people I meet and the projects I manage make me better because there’s ALWAYS something new to learn from it.
Favorite Quote: “You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” — A.A. Mine
JESSICA NEIPRIS
Director
Stran Promotional Solutions
Jessica enjoys spending time with friends, family and goldendoodle Dollie...
Joined the Board: 2021
Years in Industry: 13
Hobbies: Shopping, cooking, traveling, binging shows and checking out new restaurants
Favorite Pastime: Relaxing by the beach is #1. I also enjoy spending time with my friends, family and goldendoodle Dollie.
Favorite thing about the industry: The industry is fast-paced and never boring, which keeps me energized and excited on the day-to-day. I am grateful for the connections and lifelong friends I’ve made and look forward to the day when we can all reunite!
Favorite Quote: “The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.” – Dolly Parton
Past Presidents at NEPPA's 50th Anniversary Celebration - August 2024
NEPPA's FIRST MEETING
Making headlines in 1974
NEPPA's PAST PRESIDENTS
The leadership who got us where we are today!
NEPPA PAST PRESIDENTS
2023 Christine Carpenter Gleason, HALO Branded Solutions
2022 Loren Cayer, CAS, SnugZ USA
2021 David Kennealey, BrandHero promotions, inc. / Geiger
2020 Karen Santos, HPG Brands
2019 Christie Wright, PCNA
2018 Heather O’Neill, CAS, Walker-Clay, Inc.
2017 Pat Buff, MAS, Imagination Branding
2016 JoAnn Goodloe, Barker Specialty Company
2015 Kimberly Coen, Polyconcept N.A.
2014 Nicholas D’Eramo, Triple Stitch
2013 Nancy Bercovitz, Jules Scheck Associates
2012 Hilary Gallagher, Spry International, Inc.
2011 Wanda Levy, Coastal Promotions Inc.
2010 Dana Witczak, SanMar
2009 Michael Moore, Bay State Specialty Company
2008 Stephen Monahan, THEMCO, LLC
2007 David Zimmerman, MAS, Advertising Works
2006 Paul E. Keane, Bryan Company, Inc.
2005 Jennifer Pollano, Advertising Concepts Inc.
2004 Joseph Ferris, Jr., MAS, Omni Products Inc.
2003 Joseph Collins, Opus by Collins
2002 Kathy Szatkowski, MAS, Worldwide Specialty Sales
2001 Clare Craig, CAS, Geiger Bros.
2000 Shannon Silber, MAS, The Tavan Company, Inc.
1998-1999 Robert S. Berman, CAS, Berman Leather Company
1997-1998 Peter C. Gleason, MAS, The Quill Company
1996 Steven J. Hillman, MAS, Virdis Associates
1995 Stephen R. Cornell, Cornell Concepts Corp.
1994 Gail Goldstein, CAS, Worldwide Specialty Sales
1993 Michael M. Woody, The Quill Company, Inc.
1992 Allan B. Silber, MAS, Double-Oh-Seven, Ltd.
1991 Richard C. Ferreira, MAS, Rich Ferreira & Companies
1990 Joan M. Millane, CAS, JJ Enterprises
1989-1990 Stephen R. Almeida, CAS, Almeida Enterprises
1988-1989 Peter MacDonald, The Ad King
1987-1988 Patricia A. Dugan, Pilgrim Plastic Products
1986-1987 Peter Mahony, Action Ad Specialty Co.
1985-1986 Dale B. Johnson, Dale B. Johnson Associates
1984-1985 Maralyn D. Brink, Brink Associates
1983-1984 Ken Fettig, Cornell Concepts
1982-1983 Skip Mays, Northeast Promotions
1981-1982 Jim Moore, Bay State Specialty
1980-1981 John MacDonald, MacDonald Associates
1979-1980 Frank Firicano, Pilgrim Plastics
1978-1979 Lew Ginsberg, Marketing Incentives
1977-1978 Ron Cook, Perin Products
1976-1977 Ben Waters, The Ad King
1975-1976 Mel Hyman, ArtMold Products
1974-1975 Mel Hyman, ArtMold Products
