Bodek and Rhodes' Mary Ellen Pahlka Honored with SAAGNY Scholarship Award

Mary Ellen Pahlka, MAS and director of marketing communications for Philadelphia-based Bodek and Rhodes, was recently honored with the Linda Robinson Scholarship Award, presented by the Specialty Advertising Association of Greater New York (SAAGNY). The award, dedicated to the memory of SAAGNY past president Linda Robinson, is presented in recognition of individual dedication and service to SAAGNY, and a personal commitment to the betterment of the promotional products industry.

Nominated for her commitment to promoting and educating within the industry, Pahlka “is an emulator of the dedication to teaching and mentoring that Linda Robinson stood for,” according to Bruce Brooks, chairman of the Scholarship and Awards Committee at SAAGNY. “Our organization is dedicated to education and increased professionalism in the industry, and it’s our members like Mary Ellen who help fulfill this mission and make SAAGNY really stand for something.”

When asked about her contributions to the industry and the award, Pahlka says, “I’m thrilled to educate members and volunteer for PROMOTIONS EAST. One of the things I enjoy most is helping people in this industry grow their business through education. And this award gives me the chance to learn more myself, so I can continue to educate even more.”

The award includes a scholarship to attend the Promotional Products Association International’s (PPAI) Presidents' Forum, now known as the North American Leadership Conference.

As a veteran of the promotional products industry, Pahlka’s career spans more than 28 years including work with the Advertising Specialties Institute and more than 10 years as the director of marketing communications for Bodek and Rhodes. Pahlka has also served on the board of directors for both the Specialty Advertising Counselors of the Delaware Valley (SACDV) and PPAI and has received the SACDV Hall of Fame, the PPAI Education Lifetime Achievement and PPAI Distinguished Service Awards.

About Bodek and Rhodes:
Bodek and Rhodes is one of the nation’s leading wholesalers of imprintable apparel and accessories and is a family-owned company headquartered in Philadelphia with distribution centers in Philadelphia; Niles, Mich.; Fresno, Calif.; Orlando, Fla.; and Norton, Mass.

More information on the company and its full line of wearables is available at www.bodekandrhodes.com.