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
Vice President
Up With Paper, Mason, OH
Dean Rodenbough
Treasurer
Hallmark Cards, Inc., Kansas City, MO
Carlos LLanso
Immediate Past President
Legacy Publishing Group, Clinton MA
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
Chris Hupp
Executive Committee Member
Lovepop, Boston, MA
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
Peter Doherty
Executive Director
Greeting Card Association / Bostrom Corporation, Washington, DC
Board of Directors
Kathy Alpert
Director
PostMark Press, Inc., Watertown, MA
Justine Birmingham
Director
Fixture Resource Group, Cincinnati, OH
Nicky Burton
Executive Committee Member
Calypso Cards, Inc., Providence, RI
Doug Faust
Director
Masterpiece Studios/The Occasions Group, Inc., North Mankato, MN
Alan Friedman
Executive Committee Member
Great Arrow Graphics, Buffalo, NY
Steve Gimbelman
Executive Committee Member
Designer Greetings, Edison, NJ
Susan January
Executive Committee Member
Leanin’ Tree, Boulder, CO
Ron Kanfi
Director
NobleWorks Cards, Hoboken, NJ
Andrea Liss
Director
Hannah Handmade Cards, Evanston, IL
Carlos LLansó
Immediate Past President
Legacy Publishing Group, Clinton, MA
Tom Otto
Director
Exclusive Bordering Company, Elburn, IL
Dean Rodenbough
Treasurer
Hallmark Cards, Inc., Kansas City, MO
Rick Ruffner
Director
AVANTI Press, Inc., Detroit, MI
Patrice Sadd
Director
American Greetings Corporation/Papyrus-Recycled Greetings, Cleveland, OH
John Smyth
Executive Committee Member
Brenda Turner
Director
DaySpring Cards, Siloam Springs, AR
George White
Vice President
Up With Paper, Mason, OH
Lawrence Yeh
Director
Paper Pop Cards, New York, NY
Peter Doherty
Executive Director
Greeting Card Association / Bostrom Corporation, Washington, DC
Committee Chairs
The following volunteers serve the membership as part of the GCA’s committee structure. GCA’s standing committees include: Postal Affairs, Convention, LOUIE Awards, Membership, Communications/PR and Nominations 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 Peter Doherty, 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 develop and/or implement communications, marketing, and/or public relations initiatives
Dave Phipps
Chair
Avanti Press, Detroit, MI
Convention Committee
The Convention 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.
Susan January
Chair
Leanin’ Tree, Boulder, CO
Dave Phipps
Co-Chair
Avanti Press, Detroit, MI
LOUIE Awards Committee
The LOUIE Awards Committee develops thematic branding and collateral for this special program, leads the GCA’s planning, logistics, and promotion efforts and recruit judges, and paid/in-kind sponsors. It also works with Associate members on all aspects of production, 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 members and recommends individuals and companies for membership. It also helps nurture new members and encourage their participation in the GCA 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.
Carlos LLansó
Immediate Past President
Legacy Publishing Group, Clinton, MA
Postal Affairs Committee
This Committee manages the GCA’s postal strategy, which includes working with the GCA’s Vice President of Postal 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.
Sarah Moe Meyers
Chair
Hallmark Cards, Inc., Kansas City, MO