Namta’s Executive Director, Sid Smith has announced his resignation. Sid was also owner and president of consulting firm Salco and will continue to advise the board and staff on Strategic Planning***** Correction; Sid Smith reports that his contract with Namta to assist in the association’s strategic planning process was not renewed by the board, thereby explaining his resignation. ********After a thorough search, the Board of Directors has chosen Reggie Hall as its new Executive Director, effective February 7, 2011. 
Reggie has more than 30 years of association management experience having served most recently as a Senior Vice President with the Newspaper Association of America (NAA) in the Washington DC area and prior to that as Executive Director of the International Newspaper Advertising and Marketing Executives. He has had a wide range of association leadership and management experience with responsibilities that have included sales, marketing, membership, communications, social media, websites, meeting management, revenue generation, budgeting, foundations, association mergers, strategic planning and large expositions.
Newell Rubbermaid CEO Mark Ketchum announced his retirement on January 11th. He will remain with the company until a successor is named. It is expected that process will last between four to six months.
Leonard Green & Partners offered to buy fabric and crafts company Jo-Ann Stores Inc (JAS.N) for about $1.6 billion in cash, less than a month after the private equity firm took part in a controversial buyout of another retailer, J Crew Group Inc (JCG.N). Los Angeles-based Leonard Green’s offer of $61 a share is at a premium of 34 percent to Jo-Ann’s close prior to the announcement in late December.
The winners of the ColArt USA President’s Club honors were announced recently. Taking top award is Kathy Brennan (Midwest region), second place goes to Ray Doty (South Eastern Region), and Bill Worley (Midwest region) and Craig Schottenstein (Western region) tied for third. Congratulations to all!
Big news from Portland, OR… Robert Gamblin reports that he and Pete Cole have purchased Gamblin Artists Colors back from Vic Petrov and his group of investors.
We send our deepest condolences to Strathmore’s Tom Brighton and his wife Kathleen, who mourn the passing of their 22 year old son Christopher. Our heart also goes out to the entire Brighton clan. The family requests contributions in Chris’ memory to Old Union Nursery School, 152 W. Rose Valley Rd, Rose Valley, PA 19086 or A.I. DuPont Hospital for Children, Cardiac Center, 1600 Rockland Rd, Wilmington, DE 19803
The former Purchasing Manager at Opus in Vancouver, BC, Jesse Burgess, recently passed away. She had just retired a couple of months ago after almost 25 years at Opus.
Steve Hanson, former Canson sales representative and all around industry personality, passed away on Friday, January 7, 2011 in Kennesaw, GA . He was 54 years old. The service was held on January 9, 2011 at Summit Baptist Church in Kennesaw. The family has kindly requested in lieu of flowers that donations be made in Steven’s honor to the Hanson Children’s Education Fund at Wells Fargo Branch. 2778 Cobb Parkway NW., Kennesaw, GA. 30144
Pentel of America Names Ilene Albert-Nelson as Director of Marketing. Ilene is a veteran of consumer package goods companies with over 25 years within the crafts and office supply industries, has been named Director of Marketing. Albert-Nelson will lead all marketing efforts for both Pentel products and Pentel Arts products. Albert-Nelson previously held various marketing and sales positions at Avery Dennison, General Binding Corp. and the Crayola Company.
Doug Mooney won Salesperson of the Year with ArtBin. He had the highest percentage increase over the Sales plan. Congratulations!
Here is a look at a local San Francisco Bay Area TV segment featuring General Pencil’s drawing and animation kits for kids:
Dr. Toy Segment on KRON-4 featuring How to Draw Cartoons!™ from General Pencil on Vimeo.
Check out this new series of “How to Calligraphy” videos presented by Manuscript Pen: