Greeting Card Association Leadership Team
The GCA Board of Directors has full control of the Association’s activities, affairs, property, and funds. The Board appoints an Executive Committee from among its members, to act on the Board’s behalf, make policy decisions and bind the credit of the Association. The Executive Director serves as an ex-officio member of the Board.
The Board of Directors and Executive Committee hold meetings at least three times per year.
Executive Committee and Officers
George White
President
Up With Paper, Mason, OH
Carlos LLanso
Immediate Past President
Legacy Publishing Group, Clinton MA
Amy McAnarney
Vice President / Treasurer
Hallmark, Kansas City, MO
Alan Friedman
Executive Committee Member
Great Arrow Graphics, Buffalo, NY
Steve Gimbelman
Executive Committee Member
Designer Greetings, Edison, NJ
Nicky Burton
Executive Committee Member
Calypso Cards, Inc., Providence, RI
Susan January
Executive Committee Member
Leanin’ Tree, Boulder, CO
Dave Phipps
Executive Committee Member
Avanti Press, Detroit, MI
Kelly Ricker
Executive Committee Member
John Smyth
Executive Committee Member
David Wilke
Executive Committee Member
Leader Paper Products, Milwaukee, WI
Nora Weiser
Executive Director
Greeting Card Association
Board of Directors
Gail Anderson
Director
Universal Presentation Concepts, Madison, WI
Glen Biely
Director
Biely & Shoaf, Seattle, WA
Nicky Burton
Executive Committee Member
Calypso Cards, Inc., Providence, RI
Sue Charlier
Director
Alan Friedman
Executive Committee Member
Great Arrow Graphics, Buffalo, NY
Steve Gimbelman
Executive Committee Member
Designer Greetings, Edison, NJ
Alan Harnik
Director
Notes & Queries, Baltimore, MD
Tim Hart
Director
NY Now, Emerald Expositions, White Plains, NY
Lindsay Henry
Director
Inklings Paperie, Detroit, MI
Susan January
Executive Committee Member
Leanin’ Tree, Boulder, CO
Ron Kanfi
Director
NobleWorks Cards, Hoboken, NJ
Juliana Kissick
Director
Good JuJu Ink, Oakland, CA
Bob Kurland
Director
Blue Mountain Arts, Boulder, CO
Carlos LLansó
Immediate Past President
Legacy Publishing Group, Clinton, MA
Sue Lund
Director
The Occasions Group, Inc., North Mankato, MN
Amy McAnarney
Vice President / Treasurer
Hallmark, Kansas City, MO
Kate Murray
Director
Quick Brown Fox Letterpress, Brooklyn, NY
Tom Otto
Director
Exclusive Bordering Company, Elburn, IL
Dave Phipps
Director
Avanti Press, Detroit, MI
Kelly Ricker
Executive Committee Member
Mike Smith
Director
John Smyth
Executive Committee Member
Brenda Turner
Director
DaySpring Cards, Siloam Springs, AR
Victoria Venturi
Director
Paper Epiphanies, Portland, OR
Brian Virgona
Director
Stationery Trends and Gift Shop Magazine/Great American Media, Sparta, MI
George White
President
Up With Paper, Mason, OH
David Wilke
Executive Committee Member
Leader Paper Products, Milwaukee, WI
Rafe Wolf
Director
Quilling Card, Framingham, MA
Nora Weiser
Executive Director
Greeting Card Association
Committee Chairs
The following volunteers serve the membership as part of the GCA’s committee structure. GCA’s standing committees include: Postal Affairs, Workshop & Retreat, LOUIE Awards, Membership, Communications/PR and *Noted. From time to time, the President may establish other ad hoc committees and working groups to help the Association carry out its business.
Thinking of being a volunteer? It’s a way to learn more about a specific area of GCA operations, build important business relationships, and give back to your industry. For more information about volunteer opportunities, contact Nora Weiser, Executive Director.
Associates
Committee
The Associates Committee manages the Associates’ programs and recommends strategies for deepening their participation in the GCA. Associates include all non-publisher members (i.e., printers, paper companies, etc.).
David Wilke
Chair
Leader Paper Products, Milwaukee, WI
Communications and Public Relations Committee
The Communications and Public Relations Committee helps the Executive Committee in developing and/or implementing various communications, marketing, and/or public relations initiatives for the association overall.
Dave Phipps
Chair
Avanti Press, Detroit, MI
Workshop & Retreat Committee
The Workshop & Retreat Committee develops program content and a theme and creates designs for event branding and collateral. It also helps recruit sponsors and speakers and works with GCA staff on logistics and budget.
Andy Meehan
Chair
Consultant to Designer Greetings & Madison Park Greetings
LOUIE Awards Committee
The LOUIE Awards Committee develops thematic branding and collateral, leads the GCA’s planning, logistics, and promotion efforts, recruits judges and paid/in-kind sponsors. It works with Associate members and coordinates with GCA staff on logistics and budget.
Fern Gimbelman
Chair
Designer Greetings, Edison, NJ
Membership Committee
The Membership Committee helps recruit and onboard new members and recommends individuals and companies for membership. It also helps nurture new members and encourage their participation in various GCA events and activities and works with GCA staff on communications and other outreach.
Alan Friedman
Chair
Great Arrow Graphics, Buffalo, NY
Past President’s Council
The Council helps maintain continuity in the Association’s activities, responds to emerging member needs and makes recommendations to the Executive Committee. It also initiates and/or oversees any required Bylaws modifications. Past Presidents sit on this council.
Carlos LLansó
Immediate Past President
Legacy Publishing Group, Clinton, MA
Public Affairs Committee
This Committee manages the GCA’s postal strategy, which includes working with the GCA’s Vice President of Public Affairs, maintaining relationships with the USPS, works with it on marketing communications, and other initiatives.It also advises on legislative matters and updates members on emerging issues and/or action items.