Promotional Products Association International (PPAI), the not-for-profit association for more than 10,600 members of the $17.7 billion promotional products industry, recognized Mary Ann Farmer, MAS, as the 2012 PPAI Woman of Achievement award recipient during the opening ceremony at PPAI’s Women’s Leadership Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana. Farmer, retired president and CEO of Magna-Tel Inc., based in Cape Girardeau, Mo., was presented a custom award created by R.S. Owens & Co. in honor of her long-standing industry contributions.
The PPAI Woman of Achievement Award recognizes an individual who has led the way in the advancement of woman in the industry, exhibited outstanding leadership and made significant contributions to the industry and her community. The PPAI Woman of Achievement constantly strives to go above and beyond. She leads the way by setting the standard of excellence in the industry. She’s an inspiration to others, a role model and mentor.
When asked about her most important industry contributions, “One of the biggest accomplishments while serving on the PPAI Board of Directors (1998-2002) was working with Jo-an Lantz and others in getting the Women’s Leadership Conference started,” Farmer said.
Farmer, a member of PPAI since 1984 and Master Advertising Specialist, started her career in the promotional products industry in with Magna-Tel where she progressed through the ranks and ultimately took over as president to lead the company through a successful turnaround—growing, expanding and producing a profit every year thereafter. Under her leadership, Magna-Tel has won numerous awards including SGIA Printing Awards, Distributor Choice Awards and Best New Product Awards, to name a few.
“During her 26 years in the industry Mary Ann has volunteered countless hours, mentored many industry professionals and was an integral part of much advancement within the industry that has benefitted both men and women,” said David S. Engel, MAS, of Greystone World Resource Development.
Her industry contributions are many, and include a hand in the development of the PPCEF by-laws and procedures, the CAS/MAS alumni and PPMN budget processes and the PPEF Tomorrow Fund. A long-standing champion of professional development, she aspired to achieve a higher level of professionalism within her own company and throughout the industry by working with a team to develop the PPAI Woman’s Leadership Conference and the initial CAS examination.
“Mary Ann not only built a successful company, but also managed to give her time in and outside the industry,” said Patricia Dugan, MAS, of Budgetcard Inc. “She was 100 percent involved in whatever board, committee, foundation or task force she committed to and education personally and for her company was always huge.”
Farmer is the fourth recipient of the PPAI Woman of Achievement Award. Previous winners are Margie Price, MAS, President and Owner of Premiums Plus Incorporated; Carol Aastad, MAS, retired from Geiger; and Margaret Custer-Ford, MAS, retired founder of MARCO Ideas Unlimited.
For more information, visit www.ppai.org.
