News

The membership of the Greeting Card Association (GCA) elected longtime volunteer George White, president and COO of Up with Paper, as its 53^rd president during their recent Workshop and Retreat in Naples, Florida. George succeeds Christy Kaprosy, formerly with American Greetings Corporation.

With new leadership in place for 2020, President White and the GCA are ready to solidify their strategic position and take advantage of future opportunities. “It is an important time for our organization,” George noted. “We understand that the needs of the industry and our members are changing. Our launch of Noted: The Greeting Card Expo earlier this year and new program enhancements comes with a recognition that our makers are looking for something different. Something better. And we are not done yet. With the help of our membership, we can achieve our immediate goals and finish the job of preparing the GCA for the future.”

George outlined a series of goals for the organization, to include continued membership growth and solidifying the GCA’s Associate member base, further clarifying and enhancing the GCA’s value proposition, further investment in and recognition of Noted: The Greeting Card Expo and the LOUIE Awards, increased member and volunteer engagement, and improved sustainability.

“The GCA’s growing membership continues to design products that appeal to today’s engaged shoppers. And with George’s election, and the addition of new officers and Board members, we will see continued creativity at the Board level,” said Peter Doherty, executive director for GCA.“This new talent ensures that the GCA is poised for success in the New Year. The GCA headquarters team and I look forward to working with George and our Board of Directors to advance the President’s stated goals, so that the industry can continue to thrive.”

Carlos LLansó, CEO of Legacy Publishing Group, will serve as immediate past president. Amy McAnarney, vice president & general manager of national accounts & business development for Hallmark Greetings, has assumed the role of vice president/treasurer. All officers will serve a term of two years.

Directors continuing with the Executive Committee for 2020-2021 include Nicky Burton from Calypso Cards, Alan Friedman from Great Arrow Graphics, Steve Gimbelman from Designer Greetings, Inc., Susan January from Leanin’ Tree, Dave Phipps from Avanti Press, Inc., Kelly Ricker from American Greetings Corporation, and John Smyth from A. Smyth Co.

David Wilke from Leader Paper Products, Inc. will continue to serve on the Executive Committee as elected chair of the associate members through September 2020. Peter Doherty, CAE, executive director of the GCA, continues to serve as ex-officio for the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors.

The GCA’s membership also approved the addition of many new faces to the Board of Directors for 2020. New members include Amy McAnarney from Hallmark Cards, Inc., Mike Esposito from LovePop, Lindsay Henry from Inklings Paperie, Victoria Venturi from Paper Epiphanies, Rafe Wolf from Quilling, Gail Anderson from Universal Presentation Concepts, and Bob Kurland from Blue Mountain Arts.

Returning to the Board for 2020 are Carlos Llansó from Legacy Publishing Group, John Smyth from A. Smyth Co., Dave Phipps from AVANTI Press, Inc., Nicky Burton from Calypso Cards, Inc., Brenda Turner from Day Spring Cards, Steve Gimbelman from Designer Greetings, Inc., Tom Otto from Exclusive Bordering Co., Alan Friedman from Great Arrow Graphics, Phil St. Germain from JS McCarthy Printers, Susan January from Leanin’ Tree, Sue Lund from The Occasions Group, Inc., Ron Kanfi from Noble Works Cards, Patrice Saad from Papyrus-Recycled Greetings, Glen Biely from Biely & Shoaf, George White from Up with Paper, David Wilke from Leader Paper, Kelly Ricker from American Greetings, Rick Ruffner from AVANTI Press, Inc., and Alan Harnick from Notes & Queries.