David Katseff, MAS, owner and president of MasterCast LTD (PPAI 112455, S3), has died. He was 76.

A statement from the company reveals that he died suddenly on July 25.

In 1985, Katseff acquired the struggling Pawtucket, Rhode Island-based company, turning its fortunes around by increasing its product offering by merging with numerous local suppliers, such as Narragansett Emblems, Marken Industries, Amcraft and Superb Case.

Katseff was very active in the promotional products industry, volunteering as a director on the New England Promotional Products Association (NEPPA) board numerous times and serving on many PPAI committees, including the Membership Services Committee, Conventions Advisory Council, MAS/CAS Certification Board, Marketing Information & Research Committee and Suppliers Committee.

Katseff was also a member of the Principal Connection, which was one of the first traveling groups of suppliers to give sales and marketing presentations to distributors across the country.

Additionally, he volunteered in many business groups, including the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the Rhode Island Business Group on Health and the Rhode Island Health Insurance Advisory Council.

“David was a great friend and colleague to many in the industry,” says his son Joshua Katseff, who has taken over as president of the company. “He will be deeply missed.”

He is survived by his wife Sharon; his sons Joshua and Lyle; and his grandson William.