The function of the ASI Advisory Board is to keep a close eye on worldwide issues that can have a major impact on our industry, as well as ASI/ASI Show specific issues. They carefully review information and share their knowledge, experience and insight to address issues to assure in the betterment of our industry.
Supplier Members
CleggPromo asi/45450
Michael Bistocchi is the vice president CleggPromo (asi/45450). He has been in the promotional merchandise industry for over 20 years, on both the distributor and supplier side of the business. He was a top producer for LeShore Calgift Corporation in the early 90s, and then joined the supplier side with Clegg Industries. In 2002, he went back to the distributor side with The Singleton Company and then to Promo Shop. Tim Clegg, the owner of CleggPromo, recruited Michael back to the supplier side about 18 months ago. Bistocchi says, "I pride myself on honesty and integrity. I work hard and believe that relationships in business are the most important assets to anyone's company. I continue to build on that philosophy and strive to deliver that same philosophy my employees. Our industry has taken a pretty good hit the last 18 months on revenue and jobs. We will rebound. Based on the relationships we all have built over the years, we will come back. We will continue to hit bumps in the road, but our industry is strong. Our people involved make it even stronger. We must continue to do what we do and always find ways to do it better."
All in One asi/34256
Karen Cohen is the co-owner and vice president of All In One (asi/34256). She has 20 years of experience in every aspect of running a promotional products business, from machine operating to executive management. She has daily, direct contact with distributors, allowing her a front-line view of how their business is succeeding or failing.Cohen says, "I love to learn and find the opportunities for creativity within the promotional products marketplace to be irresistible. I am intelligent and full of innovative ideas, I thrive on teamwork and problem solving, and I find board and committee service stimulating. As member of the ASI Advisory Board, I will share my common-sense viewpoint on issues we all face: the economy, product safety, the potential flattening of the current business model, updates in technology and legislation that has the potential to cripple our industry."
Mary Ann Farmer
Mary Ann Farmer has been in the promotional products industry for over 25 years and has earned recognition for her hard work and dedication, including the Counselor Woman of Distinction Award in 2007 and being named to the Counselor Power 50 list for the last four years.Farmer says, "I would appreciate the opportunity to work with other industry companies and discuss the challenges and opportunities we share and, more specifically, what each of us can do to impact one another and the industry we serve in a more powerful, profitable and positive manner."
The Magnet Group asi/68507
Bill Korowitz is the CEO of The Magnet Group (asi/68507). He has 15 years of experience in the direct mail marketing industry and is a member of the Counselor Power 50.Korowitz says, "I want the industry to aggressively promote itself to the media, the legislature and the marketing world at large with the simple notion that consumers need and love promotional products."
Jetline asi/63344
Eric Levin is the founder, president and CEO of Jetline (asi/63344). He has been in the industry for over 17 years, starting his career at his father's company, Lebro Line, in 1992. In 1998, he started Jetline out of his Manhattan apartment, as an industry supplier primarily focused on toys and novelties. Jetline rapidly established itself as an aggressive player in the industry and has enjoyed double-digit growth every year since its inception. Jetline's estimated 2009 sales are $23 million.Calconix Inc asi/43270
Paul Smith is the founder and president of Calconix Inc. (asi/43270). In 1997 he co-founded the Premier Promotional Group, made up of suppliers and distributors, and served as chairman until 2002. Calconix has achieved significant growth by developing active relationships with distributors through volunteer industry service, in addition to traditional industry marketing. Smith says, "With distributors buying direct, suppliers' lines getting blurred with overlaps, as well as selling direct, boundaries are harder to define, but can be made to work. Of greater concern are the threats to the markets this industry serves. Companies are downsizing, and that means less. Industries are eschewing promotional products. Rather than crawl in a hole, the leaders and innovators of the industry must accept these threats as opportunities. In a tough economy, promotional products have a great case to state. The time to do it is now."
Notes Inc asi/74357
Pete Langdon is the general manager of Notes Inc. (asi/74357). He started in the ad specialty industry in 1989, and his experience includes several years with Rediform Special Markets as well as marketing and product-management positions with a division of International Paper Corporation.Langdon says, "In the fast-paced business environment of today, the ASI Advisory Board's role should be to take a step back and intelligently evaluate and plan for the future of our industry. In addition, the board should constantly monitor and adjust ASI's role in our industry and evaluate new ways to add value to ASI membership."
Yann Leca
Polyconcept 
Yann Leca is the CFO of Polyconcept, the parent company of Leed's, Bullet Line and Journalbooks. He joined Polyconcept in 1996 from the Bolloré Group, where he spent four years as internal auditor, then division controller. Prior to that, he served several years at Arthur Andersen, where he was in charge of audit and transaction engagements for multinational firms. Distributor Members
Fay Best
Best Specialty Advertising Inc asi/138569Fay Best is the owner of Best Specialty Advertising Inc. (asi/138569).
Advertech Group Ltd asi/109575
Mark Eckebrecht is the president of Advertech Group Ltd. (asi/109575).
Promowearhouse Inc asi/301444
Adam Edelberg is the president of Promowearhouse Inc. (asi/301444). His role includes promoting professionalism, customer service, quality products and customer responsiveness. He has experience working with Fortune 1000 companies and has attended corporate functions and trade shows throughout the country. Prior to joining Promowearhouse, he held positions with Xerox, the financial firm Madison Securities, and First American Corporation, the largest supplier of property information nationwide.
Brand Fuel asi/145025
Robert Fiveash is the president of Brand Fuel (asi/145025). He is responsible for overseeing a wide range of Brand Fuel's functions, from managing the company's accounting/finance department and its Virginia location to working daily with partner Danny Rosin to grow the company's sales and profits. Fiveash says, "While there are certainly obstacles and many unknowns, if distributors, suppliers and end-users can get access to capital again, the long-term prospects for the industry are very good. That's because the impact of traditional advertising (in all its forms) is declining with the explosion of non-traditional media. Companies are left with few 'sticky,' non-virtual options other than creative ad specialties and corporate apparel. And we've all taken long, hard looks at our businesses and cut as much fat as possible out of them – so when the economy turns, those smart enough to invest the additional profits in technology and great people will be leading our industry."
Geiger asi/202900
Jo-an Lantz, MAS, is the executive vice president and a member of the board of directors for Geiger (asi/202900). She is a former ASI International Person of the Year (2004) and a member of the Counselor Power 50 (#3 in 2008). She represents Geiger as the sole U.S. member of the international group WAGE (World Advertising Gift Exchange), serving on their Presidium as vice president. WAGE is a 50-year-old organization with 26 members from 25 countries. She has served on a variety of industry groups and associations including former chair of the PPAI board of directors. Jo-an was honored in the PPAI Hall of Fame in 2009.Proforma asi/300094
Greg Muzzillo started Proforma as a distributorship in 1978 one year after graduating from college. The company grew quickly and was named in the early 1980's for three consecutive years by INC Magazine to their list of the 500 fastest growing companies in North America. In 1985, frustrated by the struggles and many tasks of growing a distributorship, Muzzillo sought a better business model for distributors to share world class marketing; superior pricing with trade suppliers; and a more efficient back office. In 1986 Proforma introduced its franchise business model. Today Proforma has over 700 member distributors with total sales approaching $350 million.Greg is married to his wife and business partner, Vera. Together they have 10 children.
Appleback Embroidery asi/123011
Jill Valentino is the owner of Appleback Embroidery, Screen Printing and Promotional Products (asi/123011). She's been in this business for eight years, and her background includes fundraising, networking and being involved in emergency services for the past 25 years.Valentino says, "I feel I am well-rounded from being a technician, operator, salesperson and business owner. My character traits that I feel will contribute to the ASI Advisory Board are being a realist and being able to step back and look at the big picture. I also always come to the table with a solution, and if not, I consider it a personal challenge in coming up with a solution. I am a strong proponent on copyright and trademark rules and would like to find a way to dispel the myths and make this less confusing. I would also like to make it easier to bridge the gap between the pen-and-paper companies and the companies that are technologically advanced."
