MEET THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

PROVIDING LEADERSHIP AND VISION FOR A MORE PROSPEROUS INDUSTRY.

Tony Shereda MAS MASI – President
QMI Group, Inc. (Distributor)
Term ending 12/31/24

“I wanted to become more involved in the industry and MiPPA was a great way to do that. After all that this industry had given to me and my family I really wanted to find a way to give back and MiPPA gave me that opportunity.”

1. Unlike everyone else on the board it seems, I am not a runner. I did play football in college and two years of semi-pro ball as an offensive lineman though!
2. My daughter Alli was a nationally ranked spring board diver on both the one and three meter boards at Eastern Michigan University. She finished 24th in the nation on 1 meter in 2017 and 38th in the NCAA division 1 finals in 2018 on the 3 meter.
3. I have been in this industry since I was 16 and have loved it ever since! I have been with the same company my entire career.
4. Besides the MiPPA board I also sit on the board for Kids on the Go, a non-profit organization that helps children on the spectrum with a free summer camp so that they can continue their therapies while not in school and Christian Financial Credit Union. 

Glenn Miotke – Immediate Past President
Unfolding Communications (Distributor)
Term ending 12/31/23

FUN FACTS

1. Photographically challenged – I am smiling. Ask me to pose and this is what happens.
2. Passionate reader and writer – I’m presently better at turning pages than filling them.
3. Accidental but dedicated distance runner - Decided to run a marathon on a lark. Five marathons ago.
4. This is my first job out of college - It seems to be working out.

David Szidik – President Elect / Treasurer
Proforma Infinite Marketing Solutions
Image Builders Unlimited Powered by Proforma (Distributor)
Term ending 12/31/24

"I wanted to become more involved in the industry and MiPPA was a great way to network with the industry professionals. I wanted to find a way to give back to the industry and MiPPA provides this opportunity."

FUN FACTS

1. Enjoy golfing in scrambles twice a year in June and August!
2. My first job was a cashier in BI-LO and had to memorize pricing on all products to enter in the manual cash register as customers checked out.
3. Proud of both my sons who are in the fields of service. One is a Benedictine Monk at Saint Meinrad Archabbey and will be ordained a priest in July 2022. My other son is a Deputy in Isabella County protecting the community.
4. 4. My favorite ice cream flavor is chocolate.

Mike Freestone – Director, Marketing / Newsletter
The Promo Agency (Distributor)
Term ending 12/31/25

"I wanted to join the board because sometimes I feel like a small fish in a big sea. There is a lot to learn and a lot of exposure being a part of the board. It is always a goal of mine to continue to learn and grow in the industry I love. I also take a lot of pride being able to be a part of something like this and to be able to represent myself and what I believe in. I look forward to being a part of such a great organization."

1. I have finished 6 marathons and 4 triathlons
2. I live 6 blocks from where I went to kindergarten
3. I bartend once a week
4. I'm thankful for my supportive wife and great kids...and now two grandkids.

Domonic Priester-Bird – Director, Membership 

Edwards Garment Company (Supplier)
Term Ending 12/31/25

"When the opportunity to join the MIPPA Board of Directors arose, I was immediately enthusiastic about becoming a part of one of the premier regional promotional professional associations. Organizations like MIPPA play a crucial role in shaping the future of the promotional industry, and I have consistently observed the support, camaraderie, and collaborative spirit that define this association and their role in the state. I am both personally and professionally honored to be part of such a dynamic and influential organization.”

FUN FACTS

1. I am the luckiest guy in the world to be married to my wife Katie and have the two best dogs (Roxie and Hanna) in the world. She did not even force me to say that I really believe it!
2. I have sat in the cockpit of one of the only SR-71 Blackbirds still around and had the pleasure of meeting one of the world's fastest men. Major General Ed Joersz flew the SR-71A Blackbird over 2,193mph. 
3. I am terrible at golf however I am a self-proclaimed World Champion of Putt Putt. Bring on the windmills, level drops, hills & bumps, and put in as many obstacles as you want but I’ll still find a way to sink the putt! 
4. My favorite food is tacos! Let’s get some together and get to know each other more.

Sandra Kelley, MAS – Director, Professional Development

Prestige Promotions LLC (Distributor)

Term Ending 12/31/24

"I really do LOVE MIPPA.  I have been a member at large for the last several years and was honored to be asked to serve on the Board Member for 2019-2020 .  I accepted because I truly believe it is our duty to serve in some aspect of our industry.  Each of us is responsible to help make the industry just a little bit better, utilizing our own unique gifts and talents (I'm still in search of mine)!  I was always so impressed at how organized the MIPPA events were and how they were done with high quality and don't let me start on the value that each member receive from their membership.  Being a member of MIPPA was a no-brainer!."

1. I am really an actress trapped in a Promotional Products Distributor's body ( I've done several commercials and small film projects in Michigan).  BTW, the Hollywood Stars are a lot shorter in person!
2. I have run/walked the CRIM 10 mile Road Race for the last ten years in a row. I train all summer and eat all winter, that's what I call a balance lifestyle. I love it!
3. I can sing, (but I'd prefer acting)!
4. My husband and I LOVE Aruba, we have been for the last 6 six in a row and this year will make 7.  YIPPEE!

Scott Wakefield – Director, Corporate Social Responsibility AlphaBroder / PrimeLine (Supplier)
Term Ending 12/31/24

"I wanted to give back to those who have helped me get to where I am today.  MIPPA, not only introduced me to some outstanding people but also helped me create new friends over the past 5 years."

1. I used to own a hair salon and no I don’t know how to cut hair or do nails… LOL
2. I played Baseball at Madonna University
3. I have two girls, who beat me in Golf.

Regina Harrington – Director, Corporate Social Responsibility

Tekweld (Supplier)
Term Ending 12/31/25

"Unfortunately for Paul Kiewiet, he did not know at our first meeting during ASI Chicago over fifteen years ago.  That he would still be taking me under his wing almost two full decades later.  Consistently helping me find my way and locate all of my things along the way at just the right time.  I believe in and have experienced first hand the support, benefits and relationships that stem from being involved with regional associations.  It is an honor to serve and a privilege to work alongside accomplished board members and MIPPA Members.  I am committed to MIPPA and my role as a board member.  I look forward to the challenge, hard work and all the fun!”

1. I am fluent in ASL (American Sign Language)
2. I have worn a real life astronaut space suit
3. Unintentionally for the first time this summer while watering my flowers a land slug touched me (I didn't die, at least not yet)
4. I have extended family from college with The Big Sisters, Little Sisters Organization.  My little sister has some social anxieties.  In short, I was allowed to participate in her college and work study onboarding.  This required a ton of walking each day during the process and I fell in love with walking.  So, I purchased a treadmill and it has not become a clothing rack (at least not yet)
   

Jake Wylonis – Director, Events

Swag Consultants (Distributor)
Term Ending 12/31/25

"In my short time in the promotional industry I've learned quite a bit about how close the industry is as a community. In previous corporate roles it was always about beating the competition. While that still holds true for this industry, distributors and suppliers alike, it's a friendly competition. I've never seen so many competitors have such close relationships and offer to help one another with ideation or a source to complete a project. I'm glad to be a part of such a great industry and excited to be a part of MiPPA so that I can give back to an industry that has already provided me with so much.”

1. Big golf guy (I should really live in a warmer state)
2. If I could only eat one food for the rest of my life it would be tacos
3. Life Goals: Run a marathon & sky dive & run for political office

Paul A. Kiewiet MAS+  – Executive Director
MiPPA | paul@mippa.org | 269-806-4489

"I believe this can be the golden age of promotional products for professionals who wish to grow, to learn how to create value and how to be more relevant to the needs of their customers. I like the way that MiPPA provides the tools for people to do that successfully."

1. I've visited six of the seven continents (Antarctica remains on my bucket list)
2. I've completed 20 - marathons - all 26.2 miles of each of them
3. I've summited Mt Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa at 19,300' above sea level
4. My first job was feeding and catching chickens

BOARD OF DIRECTORS NOMINATION

Service on the board of directors of MiPPA provides you with high profile leadership opportunities as well as the ability to shape the future of this organization.  

Service is a two year commitment beginning on January 1 and ending on December 31.  The board and newly elected members meet in November for a full day strategic planning meeting.  Board meetings take place about nine or ten months of the year, usually in a metro Detroit location.  When there are major association events, the meetings are scheduled to coincide with them.  Some meetings may take place via conference call or web conference.

Directors may run for a consecutive two year term. The President serves one additional year as Immediate Past President. 

By serving on the board, you will make life long friendships, meet the leaders and visionaries in the industry and get a much higher level perspective on the industry.  You will also be exposed to opportunities to interact and engage on the national level through our affiliation with PPAI and the Regional Association Council (RAC).

The people and skills that we are looking for are visionary, strategic, big-picture thinkers. Directors will also be needed to serve as officers including Treasurer, Secretary, President-Elect and President.

Elections are held in September as voted by the general membership. We seek to have a good balance of supplier, multiline rep and distributors serving on the board although each director is charged to serve the best interests of the entire industry and membership.

If you would like to serve, please download and complete the nomination form.