The New England Promotional Products Association (NEPPA), which represents distributors and suppliers of promotional products in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island, has elected its 2021 board of directors during the regional association’s annual meeting in October. The new board will take office on January 1.

David Kennealey of BrandHero Promotions, Inc., a Geiger affiliate, was announced as elected president of the 2021 board. He implemented a membership survey to assist the 2021 board in setting the direction of the association during its strategic planning retreat. The incoming board will bring innovative ideas and support the initiatives learned from the survey as the association evolves to meet the challenges of the “next normal.”

“We find ourselves in a unique situation when the normal association strategy and tactics may not be as effective,” says Kennealey. “We look forward to hearing from our members and we are certainly going to lean on the experience of our past presidents to redefine member value.”

The 2021 board’s officers also include Vice President Loren Cayer, CAS of SnugZ USA; Treasurer Pamela Clement of Logomark; Secretary Barbra DesLauriers of Staples Promotional Products and Immediate Past President Karen Santos of HPG Brands. The board’s directors are Christine Carpenter Gleason of HALO Branded Solutions; Lori Donovan of alphabroder/Prime; Ben MacDonald of The Ad King, Inc.; Beata Miller of Jules Scheck Associates; Jessica Wolf of Stran Promotional Solutions and Rachel Wright of Fenway Group.

“As I am turning over the president chair to David Kennealey, I want to thank him for his service and dedication on the 2020 board,” says Santos. “He has been a pleasure to work with and his leadership will be well recognized in 2021. I want to thank the entire 2020 board for all they have done, and I look forward to serving with the 2021 board as past president.”