Bulletin Brands, Inc. (PPAI 262573, D5)—Jennifer Christensen, partner

Outstanding Branding (PPAI 678649, D1)—Liz Young, commercial manager

Ennis, Inc., parent company of Folder Express (PPAI 354129, S1), Independent Folders (PPAI 111993, S2) and Admore, Inc. (PPAI 111144, S10)—Bill Reid, regional sales manager, Southeastern U.S. 

Peerless Umbrella (PPAI 112666, S10)—Kathy Scanlan, customer service 

Multi-line rep Sue Eitle passed away on January 8 at her home in Greenwich, Ohio. A former factory representative with supplier Pioneer Balloon, she later worked with multi-line rep firms Reps Midwest and Wade and Eitle. She was also a former board member of the Michigan Promotional Professionals Association (MiPPA).

“Her petite stature was in contrast to her towering work ethic and giant personality,” says Mark Jenkins, MAS+, managing director for promotional markets at Pioneer Balloon.

Amy Susan, account executive for Promotion Concepts, Inc., adds, “Sue had a smile—and a laugh—that could light up a room. She was dedicated to her craft and brought a lot of value to our industry. She will be missed.”

Paul Kiewiet, MAS+, MiPPA executive director, describes Eitle as a woman who brought a contagious passion and enthusiasm for her lines, and notes that she was always giving back to the industry.

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William Patrick “Pat” Murphy, a 46‐year veteran of the promotional products industry and most recently with IMAGEN Brands, passed away March 16 in The Villages, Florida. He was named a PPAI Fellow in 2016.

Murphy was the great nephew of Thomas D. Murphy, founder of the Thos. D. Murphy Company in Red Oak, Iowa. There, he started his career in 1968. He worked with his father, Bill Murphy, until his father’s passing in 1975, and in 1984-1988, Murphy served on the PPAI board of directors.

Murphy later went on to work as senior vice president of sales for Bankers Advertising in Iowa City, and in 1993, he and his brother John and their families started Murphy Brothers Crystal in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. He would often say, “If someone other than a Murphy answers the phone, call the cops!” They later sold the company to IMAGEN Brands, where he continued to work until his retirement in 2014. The promotional products industry continues to run in the family, as both of his sons work in the business.

Murphy was known for his quick sense of humor and his animated smile to everyone he met. Outside of the office, he enjoyed hunting and fishing and spending time with family. He and his wife, Gail, moved to The Villages, where they took up golfing and became avid travelers.

Murphy is survived by his wife Gail; son Rob and his wife Susan; son Ryan and his wife Jodi; grandchildren Kali, Haley and Lindsey; sister Anne and her husband Larry; brother Mick and his wife Vicki; brother John and his wife Carol; sister-in-law Priscilla and many nieces, nephews and cousins.  

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James Khattak is news editor of PPB.