Mary Jo Tomasini, MAS, Takes Gavel as PPAI Chair

Mary Jo Tomasini, MAS, PPAI Chair of the Board 2017 to 2018, accepts the gavel from Tom Goos, MAS, PPAI Chair 2016 to 2017 at the PPAI Expo.

Promotional Products Association International (PPAI), Irving, Texas, installed Mary Jo Tomasini, MAS, as Chair of the PPAI Board of Directors for 2017 to 2018 at the annual passing of the gavel during the PPAI Expo. Tomasini is CEO of distributor CE Competitive Edge LLC, Stevensville, Mich., and a 30-plus-year veteran of the promotional products industry. She founded CE Competitive Edge LLC in 1993, and has transformed it into one of the largest promotional products companies in the industry.

“I am humbled by the privilege to serve as 2017 chair of the board for PPAI,” Tomasini said. “I truly believe in the power of this organization and in its dedication to members, and am delighted to chair and represent the great talent and expertise that is embodied within the membership. In the coming year, I look forward to helping to raise the awareness of the organization within the advertising profession, and to bringing to the forefront the tremendous value that promotional products professionals and the medium truly represent.”

In a recent address Tomasini remarked on her vision for the year and advancing the future of the association and promotional products industry.

This year marks the official launch of PPAI’s new strategic plan, which, among other things, will help the association transform the organization’s mission from transactional to relational. PPAI is aligning its new strategic plan with a branding campaign to build awareness of our medium. The "Get In Touch! Advertising That Lives On" campaign is a industry branding campaign focused on customer engagement.

“PPAI is extremely fortunate to have such an experienced and accomplished person as Mary Jo Tomasini as its new board chair,” said Paul Bellantone, CAE, president and CEO of PPAI. “Mary Jo’s passion for advancing PPAI’s future is unsurpassed, and I look forward to working with her this year and for years to come.”

Tomasini founded Competitive Edge in 1993, working alone in a store basement. Now, more than 20 years later, she has 25 employees working in an office building overlooking Lake Michigan. Her success is driven by her belief in going above and beyond customer expectations to deliver incredible levels of service.

Tomasini is a member of the Michigan Promotional Products Association (MiPPA), has served as chair on PPAI’s Government Relations Advisory Council (GRAC) and is a Michigan delegate for PPAI's Legislative Education Action Day (LEAD). Prior to being elected to the PPAI Board of Directors in 2014, she served on the PPAI Public Relations committee, the Certification Committee and the Government Relations Action Council (GRAC).

In addition to being a successful business person, Tomasini has always found time for volunteer work. Her desire and dedication to give back to the community is evident as she offers her services and expertise to a long list of organizations that include United Way of Southwest Michigan, Junior Achievement, Great Lakes Women’s Business Center, American Cancer Society, American Heart Association and Hospice at Home.

Tomasini has worked to encourage women in business, serving as a Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) mentor for women in Michigan starting a new business or considering Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) certification. She is an alumna of Lake Michigan College and is the past chair of the Lake Michigan College Board of Trustees. She also serves on the foundation and alumni boards at Lake Michigan College.

For more information on PPAI, visit www.ppai.org.