2026 sees a major shakeup for the PPAI Board of Directors. After several volunteer Board members have finished their service to the Association, their replacements are ready to step up and begin their terms.
Departing the Board following The PPAI Expo 2026 in January were several leaders who helped guide PPAI with deep promo experience through years that saw the industry grow while facing uncertain political and economic landscapes.
Andrew Spellman, CAS, vice president of corporate markets at Therabody, was named to the Board in 2021 and served as Board chair in 2024. Chris Anderson, CEO of HPG, was elected to the Board in 2022 and saw his term expire in January. The term of Lori Bauer, CEO of iPROMOTEu has also expired. Bauer had served in the Board’s at-large seat, a two-year appointment.
Their absence will be felt, but the Board will carry on with plenty of expertise. Remaining in place to lead the Association is Board Chair Danny Rosin, CAS, president and co-owner of Brand Fuel, who will receive counsel from Immediate Past Chair Denise Taschereau of Fairware Promotional Products.
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Zack Ottenstein, president of The Image Group, has become the incoming chair, and, Mark Gammon, senior vice president of sales at PCNA, is serving as vice chair, financial services. Also returning are Erin Reilly, founder of Pop! Promos, and Kate Alavez, president of PromoShop. Kara Keister, MAS, of Social Good Promotions continues to serve as Regional Relations Committee liaison.
The PPAI Board’s newest members are Joseph Sommer, founder and CEO of Whitestone; Bruce Barnet, COO of Charles River Apparel; Samantha Kates, president of Spector; and Frank Myers, CEO of S&S Activewear.
The terms of Sommer and Barnet expire in 2030. Meanwhile, Kates’ tenure ends in 2028, and Myers’ term ends next year. Get to know all of the new Board members here:
Sommer Brings ‘Deep Empathy’ To PPAI Board
Joseph Sommer, whose term on the PPAI Board of Directors began in January, has never been one to follow the traditional path.
While still in his 20s, he launched Whitestone from his one-bedroom Manhattan apartment in 2013 with little more than a bold vision and relentless drive. Today, the fully remote branded merch agency ranks No. 34 on the 2025 PPAI 100. It employs more than 75 people across four countries and serves some of the world’s most influential brands.
Joseph Sommer
Founder & CEO, Whitestone
“I’ve been a solo salesperson grinding it out,” Sommer says. “I’ve grown a team. I’ve landed major accounts and lost them, too. I’ve acquired companies and even shut one down. That mix of wins and failures gave me resilience, perspective and a deep empathy for distributors at every stage. Whether you’re just starting out, running a small-but-mighty shop or scaling into the millions, I’ve lived in your world and I know the challenges – and opportunities – that come with it.”
Under Sommer’s leadership, Whitestone has grown rapidly, expanding through acquisitions in the U.S. and Canada. The firm is committed to ambitious sustainability goals through its RISE Initiative, which includes 1% for the Planet membership, EcoVadis certification and validated science-based emissions reduction targets.
Sommer is known as a “classic entrepreneur,” but also a leader who cultivates a people-first culture, embraces a tech-forward approach and champions a more inclusive, innovative industry.
Barnet To Highlight Innovation, Growth And Resilience
Bruce Barnet has built his career on blending strategy with operational precision – and he’ll continue to do that as part of the PPAI Board of Directors.
As chief operating officer of Charles River Apparel – supplier No. 39 on the 2025 PPAI 100 – Barnet has spent the past 13 years helping to shape the third- generation, family- owned Massachusetts firm into a stalwart of sustainable growth and operational excellence.
Bruce Barnet
Chief Operating Officer, Charles River Apparel
He joined the company as CFO before moving into the COO role, where he has driven transformative changes in global supply chain management, technology adoption and corporate culture through the Charles River Cares social impact initiative.
With more than 30 years of financial and operational leadership experience, Barnet’s background spans executive roles in both public and private companies, the founding and sale of a supply chain business and extensive volunteer service to the promotional products community – including leading roles with the Promotional Products Education Foundation, PPAI’s Investment Committee and the Supplier and Strategic Foresight committees.
“I’ve navigated both growth and disruption – driving sales and profitability, embracing technology, fostering product innovation, streamlining operations and strengthening our supply chain,” Barnet says. “I’ve also led initiatives in sustainability and corporate social responsibility. I’m passionate about sharing these experiences and collaborating with suppliers across all levels to address their needs and help position our industry for long-term success.”
Kates Sees Opportunity In Industry Challenges
Samantha Kates has had the unique opportunity to work on all three sides of the industry – distributor, supplier and technology services.
Now the president of Quebec-headquartered Spector, the No. 18 supplier in the 2025 PPAI 100, she brings that range of experience to the PPAI Board of Directors for a two-year term as an at-large appointment.
Samantha Kates
President, Spector
“I have a broad perspective on how each segment operates, where the pain points are and how we can better collaborate to drive success,” Kates says. “In addition, having worked extensively in both Canada and the U.S., I bring a North American perspective that helps me understand the nuances of different markets while recognizing the common opportunities that unite us.”
Overseeing sales, customer service, marketing and product development, Kates joined Spector in 2022 as chief sales officer and rose to president in 2024, playing a central role along the way in shaping its vision for growth, innovation and customer engagement.
With nearly 30 years in the promotional products industry, Kates has held leadership positions at commonsku, Charles River Apparel and iPROMOTEu. Her cross-category experience and drive for strategic growth have established her as a respected and forward-looking voice across the industry.
“During my term, I hope to contribute to initiatives that deepen member engagement, allow for a broader range of roles to be represented and expand the influence and credibility of our industry,” Kates says.
Filling The Gap
In September, the Board approved S&S Activewear CEO Frank Myers to fill a vacancy created when Dan Pantano announced his departure from alphabroder, which S&S Activewear – the No. 2 supplier in the 2025 PPAI 100 – acquired in 2024.
Myers will serve the remainder of Pantano’s term, set to expire in 2027.
Frank Myers
CEO, S&S Activewear
First a young hotshot in investment banking, and a top analyst in his class, he later joined a private equity firm. He was only in his mid-20s when S&S hired him in 2009 to run a newly acquired supplier following his evaluation of the company. He knew little of the industry, but S&S’s founding leaders saw something in Myers – sharp, operationally-minded and unencumbered.
Within a few years, Myers stepped into a broader operational role at S&S. He would be CFO and COO. He was president by 2021, then became CEO a year later, when Jim Shannon retired. Myers has led the company through expansive growth, most recently its industry-shaping acquisition of alphabroder in late 2024.
Corrigan is deputy editor at PPAI.
