Jeff Long's Goals for PSDA

Jeff Long aims to boost the excitement and optimism of PSDA members during his year as the association's president, which begins Nov. 1. "Many people feel like they're at a loss about how to get new people and energy in the industry. I believe that enthusiasm breeds enthusiasm." The theme for his presidency, which he'll discuss during a speech at PSDA's Print Solutions 2004 Conference & Expo in Rosemont, Ill., is "Be the Best."

Long is marketing manager of Atlanta-based Graphic Dimensions Inc. and works at the manufacturer's Newport, Ky., plant. He'll be the first PSDA president to represent a manufacturing firm, the result of an association bylaw change that gives members equal standing instead of categorizing them as distributors, manufacturers and suppliers. Prior to the change, only PSDA members who worked for distributorships could become president. "This gives me a tremendous advantage in trying to pull the manufacturing and distributing sides together," he says. "We talk about forming partnerships and alliances, and this is a wonderful opportunity for manufacturers and suppliers to realize they have forum to meld with distributors." Long says some manufacturers already have offered to help PSDA staff plan agendas and suggest speakers for upcoming events.

Long is a member of PSDA's Board of Directors. In 1998-99, he served as a Local Coordinator (now known as Regional Directors, a term he helped to coin). In 1997, he was PSDA's National Membership Chairperson. During his presidency, Long aims to continue to increase the participation of PSDA members, mainly by making them more aware of the services the association offers. "In many instances, they really don't understand the varied services we have," he says. "We need more marketing visibility. The tools are there-the association is strong in the services if offers-so it's a matter of getting the word out more effectively."

W. Charles Calman, President, Northeast of Source4, a distributorship based in Roanoke, Va., and PSDA's 1999-2000 president, has known Long more than 10 years. Calman says he's outgoing and intelligent. "I think Jeff will do well as president," he says. "His nature puts people at ease. My assessment is that when he has difference of opinion with someone, he takes the personal nature and emotion out of issues. He's concerned with topics, not confrontations. That will be a good dynamic for PSDA. Jeff is outgoing and high-energy in a stabilizing, calming way."

Jim Riley, CFC, CEO of distributorship Riley Barnard & O'Connell Inc., St. Louis, and a fellow PSDA Board member, says, "I think he'll be a great president because he has charisma. He can walk into any situation and fit in, and people will remember him. One challenge we have is to better integrate manufacturers into PSDA because the association has traditionally been focused on the distributor, and still is. Because we've gone to one equal membership in name, I think Jeff's presidency will go a long way toward making that a reality."