SAAGNY Announces 2010 Scholarship Awards

Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey-based The Specialty Advertising Association of Greater New York (SAAGNY) announced the recipients of its annual scholarship awards.

The Linda Robinson Scholarship, established in 1995 and dedicated to the memory of SAAGNY past president Linda Robinson, is presented in recognition of individual dedication and service to SAAGNY, as well as a personal commitment to the betterment of our industry. The scholarship is given to attend the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) North American Leadership Conference.

The 2010 Linda Robinson Scholarship was awarded to Kippie Helzel, MAS, vice president, sales, CPS for Keystone Line. A 21-year industry veteran, Helzel decided early on that an industry with “widgets” and “two-handed widgets” was an interesting industry indeed. Helzel goals are to continue to learn and to become a true mentor and inspiration to her team. Chair of the Promote PROMOTIONS EAST Committee for three years, she is past president of two regional associations, past president of PPMN and currently serves on the PPEF Board. “I am dedicated to giving back to the promotional products industry which has served me so well in my professional development,” said Helzel.

The SAAGNY Scholarship Awards, created in 1981and re-named the Past Presidents Scholarships in 2001, are awarded in recognition of the dedication, commitment and contributions of SAAGNY’s Past Presidents. Since its inception, this program has provided forty scholarships. The $1,500 scholarships may be used to attend any education program. The 2010 Past President Scholarships were awarded to:

Michele Jennrich, MAS, Howard Miller Clock Co., a thirty-four year veteran of the promotional products industry. Jennrich began her career with Josten’s Recognition Division. Her career has placed her on both sides of the industry, as a distributor, a supplier and now an independent sales rep. A firm believer in volunteering to give back, Jennrich has served on the SAAGNY board and is on the SAAGNY Council of Past Presidents. Jennrich has been honored as a Hall of Fame member of both SAAGNY and The SAAGNY Foundation. Now serving as Chair of the SAAGNY Legislative Affairs Committee, Jennrich is also a board member and committee chair for a sister association, SACDV. “I continue to stay on top of industry issues so I can stay informed on important issues such as the health care bill and consumer product safety and serve as a valuable resource for my clients,” said Michele Jennrich,
MAS.

Lynn Millinger, CAS, Hygrade Business Group, went from selling State of Israel Bonds to the promotional products industry. After a brief stay in the printing industry, Lynn established her own business and went to work cold-calling. A casual encounter with an old friend eventually led to a gigantic order and the company became Lynn’s most consistent clients. Lynn has been the Chair of the SAAGNY Education Committee for three years and is a strong believer in education. “I love the promotional products industry–I get to shop with other people’s money. I often feel like Felix the Cat, pulling something from my magic bag of tricks that is exactly what my prospect or client is looking for,” said Millinger.

SAAGNY is a nonprofit trade association, of over 1,000 members, representing the promotional products industry in the Tri-state area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, since 1955. For further information on the SAAGNY Scholarships or SAAGNY membership, contact the SAAGNY office at (201) 505-9550 or visit www.saagny.org.