Award Yearbook

Distinguished Service Award

Through volunteer service or by offering their leadership to PPAI, these are members who generously give the benefit of their energy, time and enthusiasm for the Association.

Awards • Award Category • Distinguished Service Award

Cliff Quicksell, Jr. MAS+

Cliff Quicksell, MAS+, CEO of QuicksellsSpeaks/Cliff Quicksell Associates, was the recipient of the 1997 PPAI Distinguished Service Award and was inducted to the PPAI Hall of Fame in 2022.

Steve Sellers, MAS *

Steve Sellers, MAS, served as Board president in 1983 and was honored with the Distinguished Service Award in 1997.

H.D. “Joe” Stratton, MAS*

H.D. "Joe" Stratton, MAS, served as Board president in 1989 and was honored with the Distinguished Service Award in 1997. He was also inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2002.

Charles L. Chelstrom, CAS*

Charles L. Chelstrom, CAS, served as Board president in 1993 and was honored with the Distinguished Service Award in 1998.

Bennie F. Giles, III, MAS

Bennie F. Giles was the first African-American on the PPAI board and served in leadership roles on multiple committees. He was a trustee of the Promotional Products Education Foundation from 1994 to 1997 and served on the PPAI Board of Directors from 1994 to 1998, actively contributing to various committees, including as vice chair for the Marketing Information & Research, Awards & Recognition, and Public Relations committees.

H. Wayne Roberts, MAS

H. Wayne Roberts, MAS, was awarded the 2017 H. Ted Olson Humanitarian Award for his the extensive work he has done in support of education, children and the arts in his community, the state of Kansas and the promotional products industry. He was also a recipient of the Distinguished Service Award in 2016.

Irene Kogutt, MAS*

Irene Kogutt, MAS, co-founder of Dart Manufacturing Company, served on the PPAI Board of Directors from 1994 to 1998 and was recognized for her exceptional contributions with the prestigious PPAI Distinguished Service Award in 1999.

Stephen D. Newfield, CAS*

In recognition of his accomplishments, Stephen D. Newfield, CAS, was honored with the Distinguished Service Award in 1999.

Jo-an Lantz, MAS

Jo-an Lantz, MAS, CEO of Geiger, stands as the distinguished recipient of the 2014 Woman of Achievement award, having also been honored with the prestigious 2000 Distinguished Service Award and esteemed induction into the Hall of Fame in the same year.

Charles Pecher

Charles "Chuck" Pecher, is celebrated for his robust work ethic which expanded the success of Skinner and Kennedy Co. Pecher is the fourth person from one of his family's companies to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

D. Alan Christopher, MAS

D. Alan Christopher, MAS, is a 6 time PPAI Speaker of the Year, a recipient of the Veteran Facilitator Award, PPB Multi-Line Rep of the Year, and was honored in 2001 with the Distinguished Service Award.

Gene Geiger, MAS+

Gene Geiger, MAS+, served twice on the PPAI Board of Directors, holding such roles such as Vice Chair of Financial Services and Technology. He also championed product safety initiatives, chairing the Product Responsibility Advisory Group.

Mary Ann Farmer, MAS

Mary Ann Farmer, MAS, achieved remarkable milestones including being named the 2012 PPAI Woman of Achievement, receiving the 2003 Distinguished Service Award, and earning induction into the Hall of Fame in 2023, alongside her dedicated service as a 2002 PPAI Board member.

H. Wingfield Hughes, MAS

Acknowledging his remarkable dedication and outstanding achievements, H. Wingfield Hughes, MAS, was bestowed with the esteemed Distinguished Service Award in 2003.

Gary M. Werner

In 2004, Gary M. Werner was celebrated for his significant contributions and steadfast commitment, earning the prestigious Distinguished Service Award.

Dennis Gorman

In 2006, Dennis Gorman's exceptional dedication and exemplary service were honored with the prestigious Distinguished Service Award.

Mary Ellen Sokalski, MAS

Mary Ellen Sokalski, MAS, boasts a long and illustrious career in the industry, serving as a dedicated volunteer, speaker, mentor, advocate, and educator with over 200 sessions to her credit. From 2001 to 2005, she played a crucial role on the PPAI board as vice chair of marketing.

Carol Aastad, MAS

Carol Aastad, MAS, a celebrated figure in the promotional industry, has garnered numerous honors, including the 2009 PPAI Woman of Achievement award and induction into the Hall of Fame in 2023, alongside serving as Board chair from 2004 to 2005.

Mike Burns, CAS

In 2010, Mike Burns, CAS, was celebrated for his outstanding contributions and commitment, earning him the esteemed Distinguished Service Award.

Christopher Duffy, MAS

For his outstanding contributions to the promotional products industry, Christopher Duffy, MAS, was awarded the Distinguished Service Award in 2010.

Patricia A. Dugan, MAS

Patricia Dugan, MAS, has held numerous esteemed board positions within PPAI and assumed the role of Promotional Products Education Foundation chair from 2015 to 2017.

Joel D. Schaffer, MAS

With a career spanning nearly half a century, Joel Schaffer, MAS, began by working at companies like Jostens and Leathersmith of London before founding his own business in 1986, which evolved into Soundline by 1991. His extensive involvement in regional and national organizations has earned him accolades, including inductions into the Hall of Fame by the Specialty Advertising Association of Greater New York and its foundation, as well as receiving the Marvin Spike Professional Lifetime Achievement Award from ASI in 2002 and the Distinguished Service Award from PPAI in 2011.

Margie Price, MAS

Margie Price, MAS, is the 2011 PPAI Woman of Achievement, the 2012 Distinguished Service awardee, 2012 PPAI H. Ted Olson Humanitarian awardee, 2017 Hall of Fame inductee, a 2003 and 2009 PPAI Board Member, and PPAI Lifetime Member.

Sherri Lennarson, MAS

Sherri Lennarson, MAS, is a former member of the PPAI Board of Directors (2006-2011) and PPAI Board Chair (2009-2010) as well as a winner of PPAI’s 2013 Distinguished Service Award, Lennarson has spent much of her 30 years in the industry giving back through volunteer service and mentoring others.

Michael M. Woody, CAS

In 2013, Michael M. Woody, CAS, was honored for his unwavering dedication and exemplary service, earning him the esteemed Distinguished Service Award.

Mike Schenker, MAS

Schenker has been an active industry volunteer for more than 20 years, when he first attended a volunteer gathering of the Specialty Advertising Association of Greater New York. In 2014, he was recognized with PPAI’s Distinguished Service Award.

Bruce Felber, MAS

Bruce Felber, MAS, served on the PPAI Board of Directors from 2009 to 2013, including a term as vice chair of membership, and remains active in its committees and action groups. He also contributes to the industry through leadership roles at the Promotional Products Education Foundation and the Ohio Promotional Professionals Association, where he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2008. Additionally, Felber frequently speaks at industry events and contributes to educational webinars and publications for the PPAI.

Teresa Moisant, MAS

Teresa Moisant, MAS, was honored with PPAI’s Distinguished Service Award in 2016. Additionally, she has been recognized by The Journal Record as one of Oklahoma’s Most Admired CEOs and one of 50 Women Making A Difference.

Joseph Scott

Joseph Scott co-founded Scott and Associates in 1993, transitioning his distributorship into an agency focusing on client results. Serving on the PPAI Board of Directors from 2009 to 2013, he contributed to various committees and groups, including Budget & Finance, Technology, and Professional Development, among others.

Charles Duggan II, MAS+

Charles Duggan II, MAS, a former member of the PPAI Board of Directors from 2009 to 2013, contributed by serving on various committees and action groups, including Budget & Finance, Executive, and Board Nomination, as well as actively participating in the Association’s volunteer committees and action groups.

William “Bill” Lazarus, MAS

William "Bill" Lazarus, MAS has volunteerism with PPAI has included leadership roles with the Conventions Advisory Council, the Distributors Advisory Council, the Education Advisory Council and the Distributors Advisory Council, as well as with the Association’s Distributors Committee, Leadership Committee, Conventions Committee, Strategic Planning Committee and the Chairman’s Committee of 100.

Michele Jennrich, MAS

Michele Jennrich, MAS, of Howard Miller Clock Company, is the winner of the 2010 PPAI Regional Volunteer Award and 2019 PPAI Distinguished Service awards.

Kippie Helzel, MAS

Kippie Helzel, MAS, made a mark on the Promotional Products Education Foundation (PPEF) for more than eight years, serving on the board of trustees from 2010-2012, as chair-elect 2012-2013, as chair of the board from 2013-2015 and immediate past chair from 2015-2017.

Rick Brenner, MAS+

Rick Brenner, MAS+ served on the PPAI board of directors from 2012-2015, as board chair from 2015-2016 and as immediate past chair from 2016-2017. He is also a founding member of PPAI's Product Responsibility Action Group and has co-chaired PPAI's annual Product Responsibility Summit for each of its eight years

Mark Abels, MAS

Mark Abels, MAS, is a PPAI Fellow and served on the Promotional Products Association of the Southwest (PPAS) board of directors from 2010 to 2011. Abels has served in numerous PPAI volunteer roles since 1995.

Brandon Mackay, MAS

Brandon Mackay, MAS has been deeply involved with PPAI, contributing to various committees and currently serving on the Leadership Advisory Committee. He's recognized as a PPAI Fellow and a consistent figure in industry events and publications.

David Regan, MAS

David Regan, MAS is a dedicated volunteer, leading the PPAI NALC Work Group and contributing to various committees. Regan's impactful contributions earned him a lifetime achievement award from the Caribbean Advertising Specialties Association and recognition as a PPAI Fellow in 2016.

Roger Burnett, CAS

Roger Burnett, has a rich history of involvement with MiPPA. He served on the board from 2009 to 2013, holding roles such as president, RAC delegate in 2011-2012, legislative chair in 2009-2010 and chaired the MiPPA Pilot Program.

Bill Petrie

Bill Petrie has been a Legislative Education and Action Day (L.E.A.D.) participant and a frequent speaker at PPAI and regional events. In 2016, he was named a PPAI Fellow.

Danny Sirmon, MAS

A longtime volunteer to PPAI and former Board Chair, Sirmon was named a 2025 PPAI Distinguished Service Award winner for consistently contributing his skills and expertise toward the betterment of the Association and the industry.

D’Anna Zimmer, CAS

D’Anna Zimmer, CAS, was honored with the 2025 PPAI Distinguished Service Award for the example she has set, consistently contributing her skills and expertise toward the betterment of the Association and the industry.

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* Deceased

About Distinguished Service Award