April 21, 2015— Gift for Life, the gift and home industries’ charitable organization, has announced new leadership and new board members.
Frank Joens takes over as chairperson of the board, replacing Stu Teller who had served in that role since 2012. Joens is currently senior vice president and general manager of the LA Mart in Los Angeles following previous leadership positions with LA Mart in marketing, leasing, and tradeshows. Joens joined the Gift for Life board in 2003 and served as vice chair from 2012-2015.
The newly elected vice chair is George Kacic, who was recently appointed executive vice president of retail services at AmericasMart in Atlanta. Kacic previously served as president of US operations for Giftcraft Ltd. and at GANZ USA, where he was vice president for 20 years.
“I am honored and motivated to move into the role of board chair,” said Joens. “I have been involved with Gift for Life for more than 10 years, and I look forward to advancing our mission.” He added: “Thanks go to outgoing chair Stu Teller for his service and dedication.”
Recently joining the board are two industry veterans:
• Kimberly Baker, publisher of the specialty retail division of Great American Media Services, overseeing the teams for Stationery Trends, Gift Shop, Museums & More, and Party & Paper Retailer.
• Diane Falvey, editor-in-chief of Gifts and Decorative Accessories magazine, the premier trade publication and resource serving the gift industry.
• Monica Loving, vice president of vendor relations for Ivystone, a national sales agency providing wholesale gift, home, and fashion accessories to retailers across the U.S.
“These new board members represent leading sales organizations and media outlets,” said George Kacic, vice-chair of the Gift for Life Board. “We are honored to welcome these newcomers and to put them to work organizing events, spreading the word and raising funds in support of Gift for Life and DIFFA’s national mission.”
Each year, Gift for Life hosts events throughout the U.S. benefitting DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS. The primary mission of Gift for Life and DIFFA is to eradicate the AIDS pandemic in the U.S. Working together, Gift for Life and DIFFA will continue to raise funds for HIV/AIDS service and education programs. For additional information please visit www.giftforlife.org. Follow Gift for Life’s efforts via its free e-newsletter, available at http://www.giftforlife.org/about_gfl/press-releases-and-newsletters/.
ABOUT GIFT FOR LIFE and DIFFA
Gift for Life unites the gift and home industries against AIDS with more than $5 million raised since its inception in 1992. In 2008, Gift for Life selected DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS, one of the largest funders of HIV/AIDS service and education programs in the U.S., as its sole charity partner. Since its founding in 1984, DIFFA has mobilized the immense resources of the design communities to provide more than $40 million to hundreds of AIDS organizations nationwide. More information is available at www.giftforlife.org
