QCA Hires Jeffrey P. Jacobs as Executive Director

The Quality Certification Alliance (QCA), the promotional product industry’s only independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping companies provide safe products, has hired Jeffrey P. Jacobs as executive director. In this new role, he is responsible for increasing visibility of QCA both within the supplier/distributor community as well as outside the industry. Additionally, he will ensure that QCA remains a responsive organization in terms of educating its members and the industry on issues related to product safety, product quality, supply chain security, social accountability and environmental stewardship. He is also charged with advancing QCA’s membership with new suppliers and building distributor relationships through the QCA Distributor Advocacy Council (DAC).

While Jacobs is responsible for the overall direction and operational oversight of the organization, D E Fenton, QCA executive director – compliance, retains responsibility for compliance, standards and the QCA Accreditation Program, and she will continue to report to the QCA board of directors for these duties.

For the last 12 years, Jacobs has served Michelin North America in a number of roles, including director of brand merchandise, as well as director of business development for travel and lifestyle. He was also a member of the company’s social-media executive team and was the sole North American representative on the Michelin worldwide committee for manufacturing compliance of non-tire products. Prior to his time at Michelin, he spent seven years at Macmillan Publishing as the brand manager for Frommer’s Travel Guides.

“Coming from the corporate side of the business, Jeff understands the needs of the end user and why it’s critical to establish the highest quality standards,” said Jay Deutsch, co-founder and CEO of Bensussen Deutsch & Associates, Inc. “An expert in brand protection and a staunch advocate of product safety, Jeff has the insight, drive and skill set that will be invaluable to the growth of QCA.”

David Nicholson, president of Polyconcept North America, agreed that Jacobs’
experience as an end-buyer of promotional products brings a valuable perspective around the growing importance of product safety and compliance. “Not only does he understand the demands, needs and criteria that will be important for the future of this industry, but he also has a deep passion and belief regarding these issues,” Nicholson said. “Additionally, his past experience in taking on new initiatives and developing strategies for growth make him well-suited for QCA’s next stage. QCA has made tremendous progress since its inception in 2008 and remains the only organization solely focused on product safety and compliance issues within the promotional products industry. Jeff brings both the vision and execution leadership to make QCA an even stronger and more impactful organization as we move forward.”

Jacobs can be reached via email at jeff@qcalliance.org.

About QCA:

Chicago-based Quality Certification Alliance is an independent accreditation organization whose mission is to elevate the standards by which industry firms that import and/or manufacture promotional products provide consistently safe, high-quality, socially compliant and environmentally conscientious merchandise. QCA Accreditation is granted to companies who complete an independent third-party audit and comply with stringent standards, which are based upon a combination of state and national laws, international standards and industry-accepted best-practices that are recognized for their strength and effectiveness by QCA Accredited companies, the promotional products industry and end-user clients.

QCA was formed in July 2008, and today 22 companies have met the rigorous qualifications to achieve QCA Accreditation—Bag Makers, Inc.; Barton Nelson,Inc.; BDA Inc.; Bodek and Rhodes; Broder Bros.; Bullet Line LLC; Cutter & Buck; Dard Products, Inc.; Design Resources Inc./Caps Direct; Garyline; Gemline; Gordon Sinclair; Hit Promotional Products; Jetline; JournalBooks/TimePlanner Calendars; Leed’s; Logomark, Inc.; MMI; Prime Resources Corp.; SnugZ USA; and Sweda Company LLC, Towel Specialties—with others soon to complete the process.

In May 2012, the QCA Distributor Advocacy Council Charter was created to formalize the relationship the organization has with distributors who understand the value compliance programs have in building stronger relationships with suppliers, creating competitive advantage in the marketplace and building loyalty with their end-buyer clients. It is currently comprised of 15 companies, which represent more than $800 million in annual promotional products sales.

D E (Denise) Fenton serves as executive director – compliance.

For more information, visit www.qcalliance.org.