Board of Trustees
PPEF is governed by a 12-member Board of Trustees. The trustees are volunteers from the promotional products industry and serve three-year terms. Many of the trustees have been active volunteers within the industry giving their time and talents to the PPAI Board of Directors, Regional Associations, and other industry committees and organizations.
Natasha Beard, Cutter & Buck
PPEF Chair
Lisa Hubbard, Vernon Company
PPEF Chair Elect
Becki Heinen, Facilisgroup
Immediate Past PPEF Chair
Andrew Spellman, Therabody
Immediate Past PPAI Chair
Drew Holmgreen, PPAI
PPEF Secretary/Treasurer
Quincy Edwards, Bright Ideas
Vice-Chair Fundraising
Bill Petrie, Brandivate Marketing
Vice-Chair Marketing & Recognition
Jamie Watson, Certified Marketing Consultants
Vice-Chair Finance
Kathlene Brethowr, PPAI
PPEF Executive Director
Glenna Fulks, Kite Meeting Management
Trustee, 2025-2027
Samantha Kates, Spector & Co.
Trustee, 2023-2025
Matt Schucart, APS Promo
Trustee, 2025-2027
Nicki Staats, iPromoteU
Trustee, 2025-2027
Mission
With the support of industry member companies and individuals, the Promotional Products Education Foundation provides college scholarships to promotional products industry employees and their children to support general studies and industry-related educational goals.
History
The Promotional Products Education Foundation traces its roots back to the Carl E. Rosenfeld Education Foundation formed in 1978 by employees of the Walter W. Cribbins Co. as a birthday gift to their boss. Responsibility for that effort shifted in 1980 to the Specialty Advertising Association International. In 1986 it was again transferred, this time into the capable hands of the CAS/MAS Alumni Association. CAS/MAS was responsible for much of the infrastructure and groundwork on which today's Foundation stands. It was under the CAS/MAS Alumni Association, that the first scholarship winners were announced. In 1989, the SAAI (now Promotional Products Association International) Board agreed that the Foundation should be an Association-supported entity. The organization became the Promotional Products College Education Foundation in 1993 and in 2004, the organization's name was changed to the Promotional Products Education Foundation.
Important Dates
1989 - The first Four-Year Scholarships were awarded to six recipients. The awards were for $2,000 with $500 payments received for four years.
1998 - The Chairman's Scholarships were added. Two recipients received the $5,000 awards, receiving $2,500 for both their junior and senior years of college.
2000 - The amount awarded for the Four-Year Scholarships increased to $4,000 with $1,000 payments per year for four years. Eligibility for the scholarship program was expanded to include industry employees rather than just their dependents.
2005 - The One-Year Scholarships were added with these awards valued at $1,000.
2015 - Need-based payments increased to $2,000, making the Four-Year Need Scholarships worth $8,000 and the One-Year Need Scholarships worth $2,000.
2020 - The merit scholarships were increased to $1,250 payments, the need scholarships were increased to $2,250 payments and the Chairman's Scholarships were increased to $2,750 payments.
2024 – The Foundation celebrated 35 years of awarding college scholarships and the total amount awarded reached $3,668,000.