Dale Denham, MAS+, has more than 25 years of experience in the promotional products industry. Before joining PPAI as president and CEO in August 2021, Denham spent 10 years at distributor Geiger as senior vice president and CIO. As a member of the executive team, he was responsible for significant growth, including international growth, and successfully led the organization’s digital transformation. Prior to Geiger, Denham was a member of the ASI executive team for 10 years where he was responsible for growth, including all technology, strategic partners and publications. His first experience in the industry came in the 1990s as president of Impact, a company that provided numerous resources to the industry. Before joining Impact, Denham was general manager for several consulting and sales organizations.
Denham served on the PPAI Board of Directors from 2015-2020, including as chair in 2018. He has served on numerous other industry boards and has been a consistent volunteer for PPAI and other industry organizations, as well as a sought-after speaker. Denham graduated from the University of South Florida with a bachelor’s in business and a minor in economics.
Ellen is responsible for driving the non-dues revenue for the association and leading the development, operations and execution of the association’s in-person and virtual tradeshows. Making up 50% of the association’s total revenue, non-dues revenue funds the association’s initiatives and includes revenue generated from tradeshows, publications, professional development events and other association products. The association’s tradeshows bring knowledge, community and a forum to do business to the promotional product industry. Ellen leads the interdepartmental collaboration that leads to, and manages the teams producing and selling, these industry-leading, award-winning events.
CW Karstens, Director of Digital Transformation at PPAI, brings nearly three decades of diverse experience to the promotional products industry. With expertise in operational efficiency, change management, and innovation across sectors like finance, healthcare, telecommunications, and manufacturing, CW has made a lasting impact.
In the telecommunications sector from 2000 to 2012, CW played a key role in managing the development and deployment of pioneering Voice over IP (VoIP) solutions, shaping modern virtual communication. In the past decade, CW served in leadership roles in the Financial Technology (FinTech) industry, collaborating with health insurance companies to optimize payment systems using patented processes and technologies.
As the head of PPAI's Technology department, CW leads the development, infrastructure, and data integrity initiatives, focusing on swift implementation of emerging technologies and process optimization. His strategic vision and extensive experience position him as a driving force in the organization's digital transformation journey.
As the Director of Human Resources, Doris supports PPAI staff in their work to serve the promotional products industry and the companies and professionals within it. Sweely has a myriad of responsibilities which include employee recruitment, retention and relations, the performance review program, comp and benefits management. Additionally, Sweely oversees staff engagement initiatives, professional development and tuition reimbursement.
Doris has been with PPAI since 2016 and holds a Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional Certification along with an SHRM HR Department of One Specialty Certification.
Elizabeth Wimbush is PPAI’s first-ever Director of Sustainability & Responsibility. Prior to joining PPAI, Elizabeth was the Vice President of Supply Chain and Sustainability for distributor Genumark. She had started with the company in 2020 as the Director of Supply Chain.
Elizabeth is a value-oriented professional with a diverse range of experience that prioritizes ethical and sustainable business growth, spanning 20 years. Organically influencing positive change from the ground up in organizations is the name of her game.
Most of her free time is spent with her two dogs, riding her motorcycle, hiking or swimming. On the road or in the woods, alone or with friends, “I’m never bored when I’m out in nature,” she says.
A 2021 addition to PPAI, Josh brings nearly two decades of journalistic experience to the Association’s media efforts. Formerly the editor-in-chief of SUCCESS magazine, a national newsstand publication that has served entrepreneurs and businesspeople for more than 125 years, Josh built and led a talented staff that competed for and won numerous national awards, including back-to-back editorial team of the year nominations. In 2017, the trade journal Folio: named him a 30-under-30 honoree and one of the 100 most influential people in the magazine industry. In his role with PPAI, he oversees PPAI magazine, the newsletters PPAI Newslink and PromoPro Daily, as well as editorial content across the Association’s digital footprint.
Lindsey Davis is the director of business development for PPAI and also oversees the association's professional development initiatives. A promotional products lifer, she previously served as president of Solar Advertising, a promo supplier founded by her parents, and lead the company’s successful purchase by Raining Rose, where she focused on their promo efforts as director of sales. As an active volunteer in the industry, she also has served on the Promotional Products Education Foundation’s board of trustees and the PPAI Board, before joining the association's staff in 2022.
Prior to coming to PPAI, Troy served as Regional Vice President of Operations for Blue Cloud Pediatric Surgery Centers and in that role oversaw operations and was the direct report for multiple surgical centers. Prior to Blue Cloud, Troy was one of the founding partners of Children 1st Dental and Surgery Center where he served as the company CFO/COO for 11 years. Troy also worked as the CFO for Cottonwood Medical Group and managed 4 Hospitals in Texas and Louisiana. Prior to working in healthcare, Troy received his CPA license in the state of Washington and worked as an auditor for Ernst & Young and as a controller for Newport Construction. Troy graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor and Master of Accounting.
Renae has been in the promotional products industry for over 30 years, getting her start on the supplier side in her family’s manufacturing company. Her experience was amassed from various roles within the organization, including serving on the executive management team as corporate vice president. Upon joining PPAI in 2021, she was able to draw on her industry knowledge as well as her experience to provide guidance to the finance department. As the Director of Finance and Administration, she oversees financial operations and activities for PPAI.
Renae graduated with a bachelor’s in accounting and a minor in business from the University of Minnesota, Moorhead. She received her MBA from Texas A&M University, Central Texas.
Shannon supports PPAI’s executive staff and Board of Directors, as well as manages the volunteer program, facilities, and employee engagement. Throughout her career, Shannon has spent many years in startup environments, sharpening her ability to adapt, innovate, and thrive in fast-paced, ever-evolving environments.
Shannon started with PPAI in 2019, initially in the Professional Development department.