PPAI has announced its board officers for next year. These new roles will go into effect following The PPAI Expo 2027 in January.

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“The branded merchandise industry is changing rapidly, and PPAI is fortunate to have leaders like Zack Ottenstein, Sam Kates and Mark Gammon investing their time and expertise to serve and guide the way forward,” Rosin says. “Their complementary strengths in strategy, finance, operations, innovation and relationship-building will position the Association to shape its future.”

PPAI is fortunate to have leaders like Zack Ottenstein, Sam Kates and Mark Gammon investing their time and expertise to serve and guide the way forward.”

Danny Rosin, CAS

PPAI Board Chair

Fresh Perspective

Both Gammon and Kates are looking forward to bringing something new to their positions.

“This industry has provided opportunities for so many of us, and I see this role as a chance to give back by serving our members, strengthening relationships and helping position our industry for its next generation of growth,” Gammon says.

Zack Ottenstein

Incoming PPAI Board Chair

One of his biggest goals is to inspire young professionals to pursue careers in the branded merchandise industry by creating relationships with colleges and universities.

“If we continue to invest in education, embrace innovation and work together with a spirit of collaboration, the future of the branded merch industry is incredibly bright, and I’m excited to help be part of that journey,” Gammon says.

Mark Gammon
If we continue to invest in education, embrace innovation and work together with a spirit of collaboration, the future of the branded merch industry is incredibly bright.”

Mark Gammon

Chair-Elect, PPAI Board of Directors

Kates has spent almost 30 years in this industry running sales teams, marketing teams and now a business. “When I read the numbers, I’m reading them through the lens of someone who has to turn insight into action,” she says.

“After all, financials can feel abstract if they’re not connected to real operating decisions. [If I can] help the Board and our members see the numbers as a tool for driving the business forward, that’s the contribution I want to make.”

Both Gammon and Kates aspire to grow PPAI’s impact and reach amongst the industry.

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“Our greatest asset isn’t the products we create – it’s the people behind them,” Gammon says. “If we continue to invest in education, embrace innovation and work together with a spirit of collaboration, the future of the branded merch industry is incredibly bright, and I’m excited to help be part of that journey.” 

Kates hopes to demystify finances for PPAI members. “This role, to me, is about making sure the financial side of PPAI feels connected to the real businesses our members are running every day,” says Kates. She also encourages feedback so she can better serve the industry. “If you have thoughts on what would make this organization more useful to you, please tell me. That’s how this works.”

Samantha Kates of Spector, has been appointed to the PPAI Board of Directors
If you have thoughts on what would make this organization more useful to you, please tell me. That’s how this works.”

Samantha Kates

Vice Chair of Finance Services, PPAI Board of Directors

Kates says that PPAI members are dealing with tariffs, channel pressure, consolidation and uncertainty about what the next few years will look like. With that in mind, the question she keeps coming back to isn’t “Are we healthy today?”

It’s “Are we set up to keep serving members well through whatever comes next?”

“We have to be thoughtful about where our revenue comes from, careful about reserves and honest about the risks ahead,” Kates says. “If you’ve ever looked at a Board update or a financial report and thought ‘I don’t really know what that means for me,’ I hear you. I want to help change that.

“This role is about making sure the financial side of PPAI feels connected to the real businesses our members are running every day. If you have thoughts on what would make this organization more useful to you, please tell me. That’s how this works.”