The PPAI Board of Directors announces that Dale Denham, MAS+, has been named the new president and CEO of PPAI. Denham will assume the leadership position in mid-August. Robert (Bob) McLean, Jr., CPA, CAE, CEM, who has been serving as interim president as well as executive vice president for the past six months, will continue as EVP.
“Dale is the right leader at the right time for PPAI,” says Todd Pottebaum, MAS+, chair of the board and the PPAI Executive Search Committee. “The PPAI board and the Executive Search Committee are extremely impressed with Dale’s credentials and industry experience. His enthusiasm for the position and leadership capabilities demonstrated historically and through the PPAI executive search process stood out among an exceptionally competitive field of candidates.”
“Dale’s leadership, technology and industry experience will allow PPAI to seamlessly and strategically move forward to lead a growing and dynamic membership base and marketing industry,” says Maura Mitchell, PPAI’s strategic planning consultant and founder of Brandology. “Dale has solid fiscal responsibility experience and stellar leadership capabilities. Through the search process, Dale displayed enthusiasm and a unique ability to absorb complex information and develop actionable plans that achieve aggressive goals.”
Dawn Olds, MAS, PPAI board chair-elect and senior vice president of HALO, adds, “I commend PPAI and the Executive Search Committee for their commitment to the executive search process. There was a remarkably strong pool of candidates, and the board and Search Committee’s diligence and governance of the process was exceptional.”
“I am very excited to be joining the PPAI team,” says Denham. “I look forward to helping PPAI further expand our leadership role and contributions to the promotional products industry. Having been deeply involved with PPAI for many years, and having served on the PPAI board, my passion for helping PPAI grow, protect and serve our membership will further flourish in my new role.”
Denham adds, “As the promotional products industry evolves and advances, PPAI is in the best position to provide the knowledge, community and advocacy to help our members grow. I am very honored to be a part of PPAI’s legacy and leadership.”
Denham joins PPAI after serving as senior vice president and chief information officer for longtime supporting member company, Geiger, one of the world’s largest distributors of promotional products. Before joining Geiger in 2011, Denham served as senior vice president for Advertising Specialty Institute, another leader in the promotional products industry and a key ally to PPAI in legislative advocacy and other common industry interests.
Pottebaum explains more about the selection process and the board’s decision in this letter sent to the PPAI membership today.
