Patricia Payer-Kane, MAS, retired industry veteran and former president of the Promotional Products Association of Florida (PPAF), has died.

Her husband Jack Kane has confirmed that Payer-Kane passed away on February 18 from complications associated with brain cancer.

“She will be remembered for her knowledge of people in the industry, ability to speak and hold an audience with her smile, quick wit and sincere love for everyone,” according to her obituary.

California Girl

Growing up in Beverly Hills, California, Payer-Kane was the proud daughter of Edgar “Cookie” Fairchild, a conductor and musical director on Broadway and in Hollywood.

  • A graduate from Cal State Northridge, she was a high school French and Latin teacher prior to her promo career.


She held numerous leadership roles, including vice president of California-based International Merchandise Concepts and president of Florida-based Impact Advertising.

Roni Wright, MAS, vice president at The Book Company, entered the industry in 1985. Payer-Kane was her immediate boss at Impact.

“Pat took me under her wing and impressed me with her knowledge and networking of the promotional world,” Wright says. “Through Pat's guidance, I grew at a phenomenal pace in both our company and the industry through volunteering and speaking. I remember those times fondly and appreciate her encouragement and support.”

Industry Volunteer

Throughout her career, Payer-Kane was a well-respected mentor and very active in PPAI, as well as several regional associations.

  • She was chair of both the Professional Development Action Group and MAS/CAS Certification Board and a member of the Events Action Group and Conventions Committee.
  • In 2016, she was named a PPAI Fellow.


“If Pat was in the room, you always wanted to be near,” says Wayne Greenberg, MAS, president of Swag Krewe powered by Geiger. “Her dedication to this industry, and the people in it, was paramount. Besides playing a big part in helping businesses grow through Impact, her volunteer work with PPAF advanced an atmosphere of working together for all of our mutual benefit. We all were made better by working with Pat.”

In Memoriam

Payer-Kane was “always full of life, and she enjoyed travel, cooking, tennis and singing in local choirs.”

A celebration of life is planned in the coming months. For details, please contact Jack Kane at jackfkane0808@hotmail.com.