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ghta board of directors
Marc Rice
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Chairman of the Board
Ganz
Marc Rice is Vice President of the Gift Division at Ganz USA. Marc first started in the industry over 25 years ago as a sales representative. From 1992 - 2005 Marc spent time working with and managing a number of leading sales agencies in the Southeast. These companies included Team Helveston, The Nilan Company and OneCoast. In July 2005 Marc opted for an ownership position with Fox Premier Sales. In June of 2010, the Fox Premier agency sold to The Southern Link of GA, and he became President of The Southern Link, one of three agencies owned and operated by The Southern Link of GA. Marc transitioned to Ganz in early 2012.
The Southern Link
Marc Rice, President, The Southern Link. Marc first started in the industry over 25 years ago as a sales representative. From 1992 - 2005 Marc spent time working with and managing a number of leading sales agencies in the Southeast. These companies included Team Helveston, The Nilan Company and OneCoast. In July 2005 Marc opted for an ownership position with Fox Premier Sales. In June of 2010, the Fox Premier agency sold to The Southern Link of GA. Marc is now the President of The Southern Link, one of three agencies owned and operated by The Southern Link of GA.
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Julie Dix
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President
FalconBlue, LLC & JBAT, LLC
Julie Dix is currently a managing partner in two companies. FalconBlue provides consultative expertise and experience to develop and grow consumer product brands through professionial brand strategy, management, licensing, and distribution. She is also a partner in a manufacturing company Justa 'bout Any Thangoes (JBAT) as the creator of Headliners, a new and innovative product focusing on messaging. Julie began working in the specialty business when she invented and co-founded Taggies, Inc. a children's manufacturing company which grew from an idea to a childhood "must have" brand. Julie has been featured in People Magazine, Entrepreneur Magazine, USA Today, and other major news publications as a mompreneur and an innovator.
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John Keiser
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Vice President
OneCoast
John Keiser is Chief Executive Officer of OneCoast, the leading national sales and marketing agency of gift, fashion, baby, and collegiate products. Previously, John served as Senior Vice President, where his primary responsibility was the development and management of National Division ONE, while also being involved in other strategic initiatives for OneCoast. For a one year period, John served in the role of Senior Vice President of Strategic Relationships for OneCoast. In this role, John was responsible for developing strong supplier relationships for the OneCoast Midwest Sales Region for 21/2 years. John has over 25 years of industry experience, working for both American Greetings and Enesco prior to joining OneCoast in 2003.
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Todd Litzman
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Treasurer
Brandwise, Inc.
Todd Litzman has more than 20 years of experience in developing, installing and supporting computerized point of sales and inventory management systems for a wide range of companies. He is the president of Brandwise Inc. and the co-founder of Showroom Solutions, Inc., which merged with Brandwise in 2005. Litzman and his team grew Showroom Solutions from a home-based company with two employees in 1997 to the largest provider of B2B, sales force automation, CRM and data consulting to the wholesale gift and home furnishings segment. The company now includes over 40 employees who support more than 450 corporate clients and over 6,000 sales reps worldwide.
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Denny King
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Secretary
Ganz
Denny King is Vice President of Sales for the Gift Divison at Ganz USA, a manufacturer and distributor of gift, candle, personal care, plush, seasonal and home décor products. A 25-year industry veteran, Denny previously worked for Albert E. Price, New Creative Enterprise and Stylus Writing Instruments in various Executive Sales Management Roles. In 2005, Denny founded the King Leadership Group, an outsourcing Sales Management Company providing Sales Leadership to various Gift Companies. He has earned the reputation as one of the elite key account mentors in the industry and as a inspiring public speaker.
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Paula Butler 
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The Butler Group
Paula Butler of The Butler Group has been in the gift and accessory industry for over 19 years. She began in college with a sterling silver jewelry company Blake Brothers based in Schenectady, NY. During her years with Blake Brothers, she traveled extensively learning several aspects of the industry. Starting with trade shows selling to retailers all across the country, as well as traveling to Mexico, Indonesia, and Thailand purchasing and designing jewelry. In 1994, Paula made a career change and joined her family business The Butler Group. She developed 2 territories on the road, winning multiple awards for territory growth and development. She then moved into a sales manager position, and now with her father Ed Butler as her mentor, is running The Butler Group. Paula continues with her professional development by attending Vistage seminars, acquiring guidance of a personal coach, and as a member of Rockhurst University National Seminars Group attends multiple conferences. Her zest for learning is what brought her to GHTA and her appreciation and admiration for the organization is what motivates her to be able to share it with others.
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Cindy Henry
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Wellspring
Cindy Henry is the Executive Vice President of Wellspring, Lancaster, PA. Wellspring brings art and organization to everyday life with stylish and functional personal and home accessories. For over 30 years, the family-owned company has enjoyed great retailer loyalty in the gift industry. Cindy brings to GHTA experience on multiple boards and a unique perspective of over 20 years on both the manufacturing and the rep side of business. She served two terms as secretary on the board of directors of GSMA (Gift Sales Managers Association) and on the GHTA auction committee for 4 years. Prior to joining Wellspring, she worked as a management consultant in multiple industries and in sporting goods. She is a member of Vistage International. She authored two children’s books and serves locally on a school board committee, Relay for Life, and as president on the soccer parents association board.
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Joe Harris
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Whereoware
Joe Harris is currently the Vice President and Director of Professional Services with Whereoware, a web development and marketing firm located in Northern Virginia. Joe joined Whereoware in 2004 and currently manages the development of website and technical-based projects for over 150 Whereoware customers. Prior to joining Whereoware, Joe was a Founder and Vice President at SmartPants Media, a multimedia, software design firm specializing in the creation of interactive CD-ROMS, websites, and kiosks for marketing and educational purposes. He worked directly with a wide assortment of clients including non-profit organizations, small to medium-sized businesses, and federal and state governments.
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Steve Papevies
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Southern Accessories Today
Steve started Southern Accessories Today 35 years ago, with the goal of setting the standard for representing the best home furnishings and accents in the Southeast and the nation. He is responsible for directing the day-to-day operations of SAT, including selection of vendors and showroom layout. He is also responsible for the creative vision of the company. Steve also serves on the board of ARTS and NASA.
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Donna Moore
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Terry Moore & Associates
Donna Moore is President and co-owner of Terry Moore & Associates, a leading sales agency based in Denver, Colorado, serving the Rocky Mountains. Donna joined TMA as a sales rep over three decades ago, after enjoying the retail sector. She and Terry later dated and married and together built the strong sales team TMA is today. After building and developing sales territories, training sales reps, and working with key accounts, she still enjoys all aspects of the industry. Donna joined GHTA several years ago and became a board member in 2010.
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Mike Thorne
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Yankee Candle
Mike Thorne joined Yankee Candle as Senior Vice President of Wholesale in 2006. He was promoted to his current role as President of Yankee Candle’s North American Wholesale business and overseeing the brand, product development, and marketing teams in January of 2010. Prior to joining Yankee Candle, Mike was employed by the Russell Corporation where he began as a Business Development Manager in 2000 for the Spalding division and then was promoted to Vice President of Sales on the Spalding, Huffy, BPI brands in 2003. Mike then became President, Russell Athletic Team and Bike Athletic Divisions in October of 2004. In total, he spent 20 years working in sales and marketing leadership roles within the sporting goods, footwear, and apparel industries before joining the Gift industry with Yankee Candle.
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Bob Watson Jr.
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Annalee Dolls
Bob Watson Jr. is the third generation of his family working within the gift and home industries. He started as an independent sales rep, spent some time in retail, and then worked his way to a position as VP of Sales & Marketing with one of our industries' most recognized brands, Annalee Dolls. He currently enjoys living in New Hampshire with his wife, Bethany, and enjoys exploring the woods and beaches of New England with his three sons.
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Dennis Nemcek
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DNA
Dennis Nemcek began working in the gift business as a sales representative covering Illinois and Indiana. After a few years of continually setting company sales records and loving the industry, the selling process, and the people, the idea to begin his own rep company became a reality. In 1986, Dennis formed DNA (Dennis Nemcek Associates), a "team of sales representatives" covering Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. The agency has showrooms in Chicago and Minneapolis, and continues to set sales records. DNA strives to unify retailers, reps, and manufacturers by offering quality products, from reputable vendors, and by taking pride in the services it offers to its customers.
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George Kacic
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Ex-Officio
George Kacic is vice president of sales and marketing for Ganz, a manufacturer and distributor of gift, candle, personal care, plush and home décor products. A 30-year industry veteran, he's been with Ganz for 15 years. Prior to Ganz, George was with Russ Berrie for seven years; president of an Independent Rep firm; and vice-president of Takara USA, a company he helped establish in the US from Japan. George has also been involved in his own Product Development, Sourcing and Retail Operations. With his vast exposure to all facets of the business, he has a reputation as a leading go-to person for current trends and insight into the gift and home industry. George also serves on the advisory board for the Atlanta Mart.
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Mary Liz Curtin
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Ex-Officio
Leon & Lulu
Mary Liz Curtin is passionate about independent retail. Her knowledgeof all aspects of the gift and home industries gives her a uniquepoint of view, encompassing the needs of retailers, vendors and sales representatives. With over 35 years of hands-on experience in the gift and home industries, Mary Liz is an internationally acknowledged expert inindependent retail and has advised numerous manufacturers on marketing,sales and management issues with her unique brand of Sales and MarketingTherapy. Most important of all, Mary Liz is a shopkeeper. She and her husband ownLeon & Lulu, a 15,000 square foot destination retail store located just outside Detroit. Leon & Lulu, profitable since its fourth month in business, is an example of building a brand in an out of the way location, using skillful marketing, terrific product and excellent customer service to attract shoppers from the entire metropolitan area and beyond. |
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upcoming events
2011 ghta conference
9th Annual GHTA Conference!
The 2011 national conference will be held November 17 - 19, 2011 at the Red Rock Casino and Resort, Las Vegas, NV. You won’t want to miss it!
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