HALO Adds 3 Executives as Part of Growth Strategy



Sterling, IL - HALO Branded Solutions is entering a new phase of growth and recently announced plans to drive greater alignment across platform, product and commercial execution, and that starts with its leadership team. HALO is adding three execs to support various initiatives: Ameed Mallick as executive vice president, seller platform; Michael Snyder as vice president of uniforms; and Erin DeCesare as chief product and technology officer. Mallick and Snyder joined the company in late March, while DeCesare was appointed at the beginning of the year.

Mallick comes to HALO with several years of experience building and scaling marketplace platforms, including leadership roles at Instacart and Angi, where he worked across complex ecosystems connecting customers, sellers and partners through technology and data. In his new role, he will oversee HALO’s seller platform.

“The seller platform is foundational to providing accessible, scalable and adaptable solutions for our customers,” said Jim Hilt, CEO of HALO and a member of Counselor’s Power 50 list of most influential people in promo. “Ameed brings the experience to turn that vision into reality.”

Also joining the company is Michael Snyder, who has more than three decades of leadership experience in apparel and uniforms. In his new role as vice president of uniforms at HALO, Snyder will lead the next phase of growth for its uniforms category. He will be responsible for deepening enterprise relationships, driving recurring revenue and expanding brand presence across locations and geographies.



“Uniforms are a foundational way our clients express their brands in the real world,” said Hilt. “Michael’s experience will equip our team to turn this offering into a true growth engine.”

DeCesare, meanwhile, joined HALO as chief product and technology officer in January and brings extensive experience leading product and technology organizations through periods of scale and transformation. She comes from corporate catering marketplace ezCater, where she served as chief technology officer for nearly six years. She also served in various leadership roles at Vistaprint. In her role at HALO, DeCesare leads the company’s product and technology strategy. That includes platform modernization and the development of tools that support sellers, clients and partners.

DeCesare’s ability to “connect strategy to execution will help us accelerate our transformation and build capabilities that scale,” Hilt said.

Dennis Oglesby, MAS, Receives PPAI Regional Scholarship



Please join us in congratulating our very own PPAMidwest Past President, Dennis Oglesby, MAS, who has been named this year’s PPAI Regional Member Scholarship recipient.

This annual scholarship awards up to $2,500 to support event registration, hotel costs and airfare costs for any of PPAI's five signature conferences. Dennis has chosen to attend the PPAI North American Leadership Conference in May.

Read more about Dennis and the scholarship here

Congratulations, Dennis!

T-Shirt Design Contest – Show Off Your Creativity!

We’re calling on our creative members to help us design a custom PPAMidwest t-shirt for our upcoming Fall show!

Submit your original t-shirt design by June 1st for a chance to have your artwork featured and sold at the event. Designs will be reviewed and selected by our Board of Directors.Even better - all proceeds from the shirt sales will go directly toward our scholarship fund, supporting the future of our industry.

Have a great idea? We can’t wait to see it come to life!

Submit your design by emailing admin@ppam.org by June 1, 2026

American Solutions for Business Promotes Nate Disrud to Senior Director, Technology & Security

Glenwood, MN - American Solutions for Business recently announced the promotion of Nate Disrud to Senior Director of Technology and Security.

In his 14th year with ASB, Disrud has played a key role in the growth and evolution of the company’s technology department, contributing to initiatives that strengthen the overall infrastructure. In his new role, he will focus on advancing security and risk management, enhancing infrastructure and compliance, and supporting long-term strategic planning.

"For the past several years, Nate has been instrumental in consistently ensuring the dependability and reliability of our servers and networks” shared Mike Schmitz, VP of Technology. “A commitment that has had a measurable and positive impact across every department in our organization. As we continue to expand, and as our technology rapidly changes, Nate is a great choice to ensure that we are strategically building, securing, and maintaining the technological backbone of our organization."

“Keeping up with today’s rapidly changing technology and security landscape isn’t easy, and it wouldn’t be possible without the strength of my team,” shared Nate Disrud, Senior Director, Technology & Security. “Taking on a partial role in Security has expanded my collaboration across departments and has involved supporting customer security questionnaires and reviews. That exposure has been both challenging and rewarding.

What excites me most about the years ahead is the broader perspective this role provides, giving me insight into more areas of the company beyond IT\Security and allowing me to contribute in new ways.”

Disrud’s promotion reflects ASB’s continued investment in string leadership and a forward-looking technology strategy to support the organization’s ongoing growth.

Now Accepting Nominations: Regional Volunteer Award!

Do you know someone who consistently shows up, steps up, and makes a real impact in our regional community? Now’s your chance to recognize them!

Nominations are officially open for the Regional Volunteer Award, honoring action-oriented leaders who make a meaningful difference at the grassroots level.



This award celebrates individuals who:

• Strengthen their regional association through active involvement
• Inspire others to get engaged and give back
• Advocate for the promo industry at the local level
• Dedicate their time and talents to creating lasting impact

Their commitment doesn’t just support their local community—it helps elevate and strengthen the entire industry.

Submit your nomination by June 12, 2026: https://ppai.awardsplatform.com

Fey Industries Acquires Promopet And The Bandana Factory

Edgerton, MN - Fey Industries recently announced the acquisition of the Promopet and The Bandana Factory brands from Jackson, Wisconsin-based supplier WOVIN Brands.

Fey Promo plans to integrate the acquired brands into its operational and e-commerce platforms, move equipment and inventory into its Edgarton, Minnesota operation and expand the product assortment.

“We’re excited to welcome Promopet and The Bandana Factory into the Fey family,” says Mike Fey, president and CEO of Fey Industries. “These brands complement our existing product lines and open new opportunities for growth, creativity and value for our distributor partners.”

This strategic acquisition expands Fey Promo’s offering into high-demand categories, including pet accessories, bandanas and textile-based promotional items, the company says.

“I’ve known Mike for many years, and I’m delighted that Fey will carry Promopet and The Bandana Factory forward,” says Jessie Johnson, president of WOVIN Brands, which will continue to market its line of WOV-IN patches and labels, as well as its home accents, kitchen textiles, totes, bags and towels.

Did You Know We Have a Member Directory?

The PPAMidwest Member Directory is one of your most valuable (and often overlooked!) member benefits?

It’s your go-to resource to find trusted distributors, suppliers, and reps, make new connections, and grow your business within the PPAMidwest community.

Browse the directory here. While you are there, take a minute to review your profile and make sure your information is up to date. Keeping your listing current helps other members find you, connect with you, and do business with you.

Steve Ehlert Steps Down as National General Manager at Arch Promo Group

St. Louis, MO - Steve Ehlert is stepping down as national general manager at Arch Promo Group to focus on personal priorities, the company recently announced.

Jason Saghir, chief operating officer of Arch Promo Group’s parent company Confluent Holdings, will assume the role at the St. Louis, MO-based supplier. Saghir brings 30 years of experience as an operating executive and advisor, and has worked with small startups and global enterprises alike.

Scott Anderson, vice president of sales and marketing at Arch Promo, will also assume additional responsibility for all sales and industry functions, ensuring continuity across client relationships and revenue initiatives.

“Steve has played a pivotal role in shaping Arch Promo Group,” said Jason Saghir, COO of Confluent Holdings. “He was instrumental in growing Arch from one location to seven, completing eight acquisitions, expanding the product line and geographic footprint, and leading the company to its current position as No. 28 on the PPAI 100. We are grateful for his leadership and wish him the very best.”

According to a spokesperson from Arch, Ehlert has plans to reengage professionally in the coming months.

5 Tips For Networking Like a Rock Star

John Boitnott • Entrepreneur Leadership Network VIP • Jounalist, Digital Media Consultant and Investor

The music industry is notoriously cutthroat. As Hunter S. Thompson famously put it, “The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There’s also a negative side.”

Success in the music industry requires being a talented networker as much as being talented. Whether you’re an aspiring artist, indie label owner or even a music journalist, successful networking is indispensable to working your way into the biz and realizing your dreams.

Although there may be certain networking strategies unique to the music industry, many are applicable to every business and will teach you to network more effectively within your own niche.

Here are five networking tips that every entrepreneur and business owner can learn from the music industry to grow their company and achieve their business objectives.



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