FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Kim R. Todora, PPAI
972.258.3063, kimt@ppai.org
Mary Ann Farmer, MAS
2012 PPAI Woman Of Achievement
PPAI Recognizes Mary Ann Farmer, MAS
As 2012 Woman Of Achievement
Indianapolis, IN., (July 24, 2012) – Promotional Products Association International (PPAI;
ppai.org), the not-for-profit association for more than 10,600 members of the $17.7 billion
promotional products industry, recognized Mary Ann Farmer, MAS, as the 2012 PPAI Woman of
Achievement award recipient during the opening ceremony at PPAI’s Women’s Leadership
Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana. Farmer, retired president and CEO, of Magna-Tel, Inc.,
based in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, was presented a custom award created by R.S. Owens and
Company in honor of her long-standing industry contributions.
The PPAI Woman of Achievement Award recognizes an individual who has led the way in the
advancement of woman in the industry, exhibited outstanding leadership and made significant
contributions to the industry and her community. The PPAI Woman of Achievement constantly
strives to go above and beyond. She leads the way by setting the standard of excellence in the
industry. She’s an inspiration to others, a role model and mentor.
When asked about her most important industry contributions, “One of the biggest
accomplishments while serving on the PPAI Board of Directors (1998-2002) was working with
Jo-an Lantz and others in getting the Women’s Leadership Conference started” said Mary Ann
Farmer, MAS.
Mary Ann, a member of PPAI since 1984 and Master Advertising Specialist, started her career
in the promotional products industry in with Magna-Tel where she progressed through the ranks
and ultimately took over as president to lead the company through a successful turnaround –
growing, expanding and producing a profit every year thereafter. Under Mary Ann’s leadership,
Magna-Tel has won numerous awards including SGIA Printing Awards, Distributor Choice
Awards and Best New Product Awards, to name a few.
“During her 26 years in the industry MaryAnn has volunteered countless hours, mentored many
industry professionals and was an integral part of much advancement within the industry that
has benefitted both men and women,” said David S. Engel, MAS, of Greystone World Resource
Development.
-more-
Her industry contributions are many, and include a hand in the development of the PPCEF bylaws and procedures, the CAS/MAS alumni and PPMN budget processes and the PPEF
Tomorrow Fund. A long-standing champion of professional development, she aspired to achieve
a higher level of professionalism within her own company and throughout the industry by
working with a team to develop the PPAI Woman’s Leadership Conference and the initial CAS
examination.
“Mary Ann, not only built a successful company, but also managed to give her time in and
outside the industry,” said Patricia Dugan, MAS, of Budgetcard, Inc. “She was 100% involved in
whatever board, committee, foundation or task force she committed to and education personally
and for her company was always huge.”
Farmer is the fourth recipient of the PPAI Woman of Achievement Award. Previous winners are
Margie Price, MAS, President and Owner of Premiums Plus Incorporated, Carol Aastad, MAS,
retired from Geiger and Margaret Custer-Ford, MAS, retired founder of MARCO Ideas
Unlimited.
More About Mary Ann Farmer, MAS
Mary Ann has a long and dedicated history of industry service, including numerous PPAI
committees, task forces and councils spanning 1992-2007. Most notably, her positions of
distinction on the PPCEF from 1998-2003, as chair of the strategic planning and budget
committee, 2000-2003; PPAI board of directors, 1998-2002; PPMN charter board member and
treasurer, 2004-2007; and ePSA service center board of directors, 2004-2008. Farmer received
her Bachelor of Science in Business Education from Southeast Missouri State University.
About PPAI
Since 1903, the Promotional Products Association International, a not-for-profit, has been the
standard-setting international trade association for the promotional products industry. Today,
PPAI serves more than 10,600 member companies and 432,000 industry professionals who
lead the $17.7 billion industry. The multi-billion-dollar industry includes wearables, writing
instruments, calendars, drinkware and many other items, usually imprinted with a company’s
name, logo or message. PPAI offers education, tradeshows, business products and services,
mentoring, technology and legislative support to its members. PPAI created and maintains the
UPIC (Universal Promotional Identification Code), the industry’s only free identification system
and universal company database. For information regarding PPAI or to learn more about the
proven power of promotional products (including research and case studies), visit the PPAI
website at www.ppai.org.
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