Broadly, the Board develops policy, establishes goals and objectives (both short- and long-range), establishes financing, monitors programs and priorities, advises and provides consent, gives feedback and credibility, provides expertise and develops the Association's Strategic Plan. The Board provides direction and support for the Association and its programs in the best interests of the Association, which, in turn, improves and advances the general business interests of PPAI members and the industry.

The PPAI Board is comprised of 11 directors and regularly convenes in both face-to-face and conference calls each year. Board officer positions include the Chair, Chair-Elect and Immediate Past Chair, who are also voting directors. There are six additional elected directors. Each director represents a member from within the Association’s general membership. Two additional Board members are appointed to serve a two-year term: one RAC Delegate and one At-Large Director.

Selection as a director on the PPAI Board requires a significant time commitment. Each elected director serves:

• Three travel-in Board meetings (2-3 days each)
• Four or more conference call meetings (1.5 hours per call)
• Individual Board reading and preparation (5-10 hours per month)
• Committee call meetings (2 hours per month)
• Attendance of at least one of the following PPAI events: North American Leadership Conference (NALC), Legislative Education and Action Day (LEAD), Product Responsibility Summit, Technology Summit, and/or Women’s Leadership Conference (WLC)

PPAI is looking for individuals serving in a senior, decision-making role with a distributor or supplier. Such roles may include CEO, vice president, chief marketing officer, chief information officer, chief operating officer or business development executive.

In order to qualify, candidates must:

• Be employed by a PPAI member in good standing
• Have at least five years of industry experience with increasing professional development and management responsibility
• Have the full support of their employer, who should also have an understanding of the time commitment involved with this service

The following are education and professional development merits taken into consideration during the selection process:

• Have a college degree or equivalent vocational experience
• Demonstrate continued professional development including the Association’s educational offerings, higher education or on-the-job training
• Have a PPAI certified industry professional designation or are currently working toward a designation
• A highly developed targeted skill set, including finance, technology, legal, strategic insight, international business, government affairs, risk management, branding/marketing, international business, strategic portfolio management, digital innovation and operations

While not always a requirement, a highly developed targeted skill set, such as finance, technology, legal, etc., is a valuable asset and will be considered during the Candidate Selection Process.

Candidates are expected to demonstrate leadership abilities. PPAI looks for individuals with strong communication and interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, natural team-building abilities, diplomacy and consensus-building aptitudes. To this end, Board candidates are expected to make a willing commitment from the beginning to potentially serve as Board Chair.

PPAI is a dynamic and forward-thinking trade association. Our value-based Strategic Plan is engineered to purposely move us from Point A to Point B, and beyond. As such, we are looking for strong strategic thinkers interested in being part of crafting the future of an entire industry.

In the Board’s fast-paced work, sound communication skills are undeniably crucial, both written and verbal. PPAI Board members must have the ability to communicate with many unique constituencies: the Board, Association staff, volunteers, external stakeholders and the broader Association membership.

In the broad scope of Board service, PPAI also considers solid personal and professional reputations to maintain and advance core values such as integrity, ethics, empathy, diligence, creativity and objectiveness. Our most successful Board members generally have a thorough understanding of the industry and clearly demonstrate a genuine interest in and enthusiasm for the goals of our Association and industry.

It is generally a plus for a candidate to have served as a volunteer for the following:

• At least one PPAI committee, advisory group, work group or task force
• Industry-related organizations, such as regional associations
• Non-industry service in the community