Vernon (PPAI 109323, Platinum), PPAI 100’s No. 26 distributor, recently held its first Brand Jam, a new event designed to connect key suppliers with Vernon’s sales staff.

• The inaugural gathering took place in late May at the company’s corporate office in Newton, Iowa.
• The goal of Brand Jam is to bring five or six preferred supplier partners on-site for a mini trade show experience.
• Following internal breakout sessions, Vernon welcomed nearly 20 clients to its newly renovated Commons area for an invite-only showcase.

“The energy was electric, the feedback was overwhelmingly positive and it’s clear this is just the beginning of something special,” says Lisa Hubbard, vice president of sales and marketing at Vernon.

Prime Line (PPAI 112744, Silver), a division of S&S Activewear, has announced the expansion of its facility in Gaffney, South Carolina, with the addition of 100,000 square feet of new warehouse space.

• The expanded facility will allow Prime Line to significantly scale its operations and create new jobs in the region.
• This expansion also supports the implementation of a Warehouse Management System across the entire Prime Line network. The WMS will streamline warehouse and production processes, resulting in faster order fulfillment, reduced error rates and improved overall reliability.

“Our Gaffney location plays a critical role in our national distribution strategy,” says Eric Levin, general manager of Prime Line. “This 100,000 sq. ft. expansion, combined with new technology and increased headcount, is a major step forward in our commitment to service excellence and scalable growth.”

Vantage Apparel (PPAI 113235, Platinum), PPAI 100’s No. 14 supplier, has announced the addition of Doug Weigman as the new Upper Midwest regional account executive, serving customers in Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota.

• Weigman brings over 20 years of experience in the promotional products industry, having worked on both the distributor and supplier sides.
• His background includes key roles at two family-owned distributorships and as a field sales manager for Trimark Apparel.

“We’re excited to welcome Doug to the Vantage team,” says Sean Macilvain, vice president of business development. “Bringing on an apparel expert like Doug is a strategic move – his deep industry knowledge makes him the perfect partner for building impactful merchandise programs and sharing the latest trends in high-quality decoration.”

Bullpen Marketing (PPAI 201546, Silver) has promoted Suzanne Gordon from managing partner to CEO, effective immediately.

• She will also assume an ownership stake in the Houston-based firm.
• Bullpen founder Colin Hageney, Gordon’s husband, will continue to serve as the organization’s president and chief marketing officer.

“This move recognizes Suzanne’s contributions as a driving force for Bullpen Marketing over the last six years and ensures that our company remains in hands that share our vision,” Hageney says. “Her insights have been invaluable during her time with our firm, and the skills set she brings to the table will help with Bullpen’s future growth.”

As part of her new responsibilities, Gordon, originally from the United Kingdom, will focus on networking and creating partnerships with women’s business owner groups. She has previously served on the board of directors of Westside Montessori School and chaired or co-chaired three of the school’s galas.

“I’m honored to take on the role of CEO, and I’m excited for the journey ahead,” Gordon says. “I look forward to leading with vision, integrity and a commitment to innovation, as we work towards an even brighter future for Bullpen.”

BrandCo Marketing (PPAI 105922, Standard-Plus) has announced the addition of Nick Navarro as its new sales manager and e-commerce director.

Navarro previously spent nearly five years as key account manager at promo supplier Swanky.

“Nick’s experience, energy and insight made this a natural fit,” says Brandon Kennedy, president of BrandCo Marketing. “We needed someone who could not only fill key leadership gaps but also help us execute on our aggressive growth initiatives. The alignment was immediate, and I couldn’t be more excited to have him on board.”