PPAI, Irving, Texas, announced the election of R. Renée Jones, MAS+, CEO of A Creative Touch Inc.; and Bill Mahre, president of ADG Promotional Products to the PPAI Board of Directors. They will begin their four-year terms immediately following The PPAI Expo 2019 in January.
“We had four outstanding candidates who were willing to give their time to serve the association,” said Mary Jo Tomasini, MAS, PPAI immediate past board chair. “We are so appreciative of their energy and enthusiasm in campaigning for the board. Our industry is far better because of the exceptional volunteers who give their time, experience and passion to help grow and protect our industry.”
Jones has worked in the promotional products industry for more than 15 years and is an active PPAI volunteer. She has served on the Certification Committee, Professional Development Committee, Legislative Committee, Women’s Leadership Conference Work Group and the Woman of Achievement Award Advisory Group. Jones is also an active member of the Carolinas Association of Advertising and Marketing Professionals (CAAMP).
Prior to working in the promotional products industry, she worked as a marketing director for an automotive parts manufacturer, purchasing promotional items for motorsports teams participating in NASCAR and Indy Car races.
Outside the industry, Jones is an active volunteer for several local nonprofits, including Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary, for which she was the youngest volunteer ever to assume the role of national commander. Jones also has volunteered with the Cleveland County (North Carolina) Youth Assistance Program, the Greater Clover Chamber of Commerce and the Wilmington Central Rotary.
In her free time, Jones enjoys traveling with her “prince charming,” Robert. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Gardner Webb University.
Mahre has worked in the promotional products industry for more than 10 years, and he has assisted with multiple startups and turnaround ventures throughout his career. Prior to his promotional products work, Mahre worked with Procter & Gamble, Minnesota Twins Baseball Business Operations, HealthEast Care System and Minnesota Diversified Industries.
A member of the Product Responsibility Advisory Group (PRAG), Mahre is an active member of Upper Midwest Promotional Professionals (UMAPP) and also lends leadership and volunteer skills to a number of community organizations. He is past president of the board of trustees for Merrick Inc., which provides employment opportunities for people with disabilities; is on the board of directors for the Minneapolis Convention and Visitors Association; is a youth sports coach and board member in the White Bear Lake, Minn., community; and has led the fundraising auction and events for the St. Odilia Fall Festival Committee.
Mahre holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from St. Thomas University. He has been married for 39 years to his junior high sweetheart, and they have two children and three granddaughters. In his spare time, he enjoys golf, fishing, basketball and boating.
The board of directors is the governing body for PPAI and plays a major role in directing its strategic activities, adopting policies and approving budgets to carry out the work of the Association. PPAI’s incoming board members bring diverse backgrounds and experiences to the association’s volunteer leadership.
For more information on PPAI, visit www.ppai.org.
