Sara Besly, the long-time manager of the Promotional Products Education Foundation (PPEF) and a PPAI staff member, has been promoted to executive director of PPEF. Since joining PPAI in December 2004, Besly has worked closely with PPEF’s 18-member board of trustees, overseeing the scholarship program and fundraising efforts.

“Over the last 14 years, I have taken on more responsibilities as PPEF has grown from awarding $32,000 in scholarships to 29 students during my first year to awarding $230,000 to 151 students this year,” says Besly. “I’m honored that my efforts have been recognized with the promotion to executive director. I look forward to working with the PPEF Board of Trustees and the generous industry donors to continue to assist the next generation in reaching their educational goals.”

PPEF is the promotional products industry’s nonprofit foundation formed to recognize and encourage scholastic excellence and academic performance among promotional products industry employees and their college-aged children. Funded by PPAI and generous donations from companies and individuals within the industry, the PPEF scholarship program enables youth and professionals to continue their education at the collegiate level. Since 1989, PPEF has awarded $1,942,000 in college scholarships to 1,113 students. To learn more about PPEF, visit www.ppef.us.

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James Khattak is news editor of PPB.