Mount Laurel, NJ (PRWEB) February 24, 2016
The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) is pleased to announce its newly elected Board of Directors for the 2016-2017 term. The board members were voted on by membership during the Annual Member Meeting held during the recent JPMA Summit in Washington, DC.
To be eligible to become a member of the JPMA Board, an individual must be an employee of a member company that, at the time of election and throughout the board member’s tenure, is in good standing. Regular member manufacturers make up most of the board but one of the 13 seats may be occupied by a representative from an associate member. Responsibilities of the board members include but are not limited to: sustaining JPMA’s mission and purpose; ensuring effective planning; monitoring and strengthening programs and services of JPMA; providing oversight of the JPMA budget and financial reporting; building a competent board; ensuring legal and ethical integrity; and enhancing JPMA’s public standing.
The JPMA Executive Committee consists of four officers. The newly-elected officers are:
Andy Newmark, Kolcraft Enterprises, Chairman
Andy Newmark is Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Kolcraft Enterprises, a manufacturer of baby products including crib mattresses, bassinets, walkers, activity centers, strollers, and more. Newmark has been in the juvenile products industry for 30 years and has served in many leadership roles on the JPMA board including, most recently, as vice-chairman.
Rob Conley, Wow! Branding Building and Trading, Vice-Chairman
A member of the juvenile products industry for 38 years, Rob Conley currently works with Wow! Branding and Trading, a company that help leaders develop a strategic foundation and identity that revitalizes their brand and business. Conley has been a member of the JPMA board for five years, most recently serving in the position of treasurer.
Ken Wittenauer, Britax Child Safety, Inc., Treasurer
Ken Wittenauer is the Vice-President and General Counsel for Britax Child Safety, Inc., a leading manufacturer of juvenile car seats, strollers, baby carriers, bike seats and trailers. Britax has been a member of the association for many years and Wittenauer has served as a director for the past three.
Mark Messner, Artsana USA (Chicco), Immediate Past Chairman
Mark Messner is the CEO of Artsana USA, a manufacturer of various baby care products under the Chicco brand. Artsana USA products include baby gear, toys and feeding and soothing for infants and toddlers. Artsana USA has been a member of JPMA since 1991 and Messner has been a board member since 2009. Messner has previously served in both officer and director positions on the JPMA board; his term as Chairman ended during the current election cycle.
Joining the officers are nine JPMA at-large directors:
- Nancy Bartley, The Boppy Company
- Sean Beckstrom, Graco/Newell Rubbermaid
- Dave Taylor, Goodbaby/Evenflo
- Vincent D’Alleva, Fisher-Price/Mattel
- Stellario D’Urso, Kastel International
- Brad Mattarocci, Baby Trend
- Rick Schaub, Dorel Juvenile Group
- Julianna Shaw, ZoLi Inc.
- Alan Wolkin, Colgate Juvenile Products
“It’s an honor to have this opportunity to work with volunteer leadership that is so dedicated to the juvenile products industry,” said Kelly Mariotti, JD, CPA, CAE, executive director of JPMA. “Our board has displayed incredible vision and focus through the years and I expect their focus on our strategic initiatives to propel the association to new heights in 2016.”
For more information on JPMA, its board, programs and membership, visit http://www.jpma.org.
About the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association
The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) is a national trade organization of more than 200 companies in the United States, Canada and Mexico. JPMA exists to advance the interests, growth and well-being of North American prenatal to preschool product manufacturers, importers and distributors marketing under their own brands to consumers. It does so through advocacy, public relations, information sharing, product performance certification and business development assistance conducted with appreciation for the needs of parents, children and retailers.
Each year, JPMA sponsors Baby Safety Month in September to educate parents and caregivers on the importance of the safe use and selection of juvenile products.
To find out more information about the JPMA Certification Program, the products certified and for a complete listing of JPMA members, please visit http://www.jpma.org. Follow JPMA on Twitter @JPMA, connect with JPMA on Facebook or on YouTube and visit http://www.jpma.org to learn more about additional safety tips and other JPMA initiatives.
Contact:
Lauren Schoener-Gaynor
856-380-6878
lgaynor(at)jpma.org
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