The ITA welcomes five newly elected board members, four re-elected board members and two newly appointed board members to its team.
Elected: Lewis Henry—Lotion Provider Sector
Lewis Henry is the president of Oldsmar, Fla.-based Devoted Creations. As one of the industry’s leading lotion companies, Devoted Creations has taken leadership roles in supporting Global Green, PETA, The Florida Chapter of the Children’s Heart Foundation and local animal rescue foundations.
Elected: Susan Miller—Equipment Manufacturer Sector
Susan Miller—one of the founding members of the ITA—returns to the board after a short respite, bringing more than 26 years of experience in the indoor-tanning industry. She began her indoor-tanning career as vice president of sales for a Seattle-based company in 1982. Four years later, Miller established Ridgefield, N.J.-based PC Marketing Inc.
Elected: Daniel Caskey—Salon Sector
Dan Caskey is the president and CEO of Cincinnati Tan CompanyInc., a 26-location chain of upscale tanning salons throughout greater Cincinnati and northern Kentucky. Caskey began his career in the tanning industry as a teenager working for a local salon as a bed cleaner and later was promoted to manager of the salon. In 1993, he purchased his first salon in Muncie, Ind.
Elected: Tony Hartl—Salon Sector
Tony Hartl founded Planet Tan in 1995. This year, the company embarks on its second decade of business growth and development. In 2008, Planet Tan reached a total of 15 locations and more than 130 employees. Hartl has been a guest lecturer at The Caruth Institute of Entrepreneurship at Southern Methodist University’s Cox Business School.
Elected: Rick Kueber—Salon Sector
Rick Kueber is the co-founder and CEO of Sun Tan City in Elizabethtown, Ky. He opened his first salon in 1999; today, Sun Tan City has 68 locations in four states. Prior to joining the tanning industry, Kueber owned a successful video-rental chain, and was an active member in the Video Software Dealer’s Association as well as several independent video-retailers’ buying groups.
Reelected: Karen Bentlage—Distributor Sector
Future Industries, headquartered in Milford, Conn., was founded in 1990 by Karen Bentlage and her husband, Twan. Bentlage has been in the tanning industry since 1985 and a member of the ITA board since 1999. She currently serves on the ITA’s revenue-generating committee, which is responsible for overseeing the annual expo. Among other awards, Bentlage was the recipient of the lifetime achievement award from Island Sun Times in 2006.
Reelected: Greg Henson—Equipment Manufacturer Sector
Greg Henson is the president of Heartland Tanning in Lee’s Summit, Mo. He has served on the ITA board since its inception in 1999, when industry leaders who founded the Indoor Tanning Equipment Manufacturer Association expanded the association to include salons. Henson also serves on the ITA’s executive and revenue-generating committees.
Reelected: Dan Humiston—Salon Sector
Dan Humiston is the current ITA president and has been an active board member since the association’s formation. He is the founder and president of West Seneca, N.Y.-based Tanning Bed Inc., the largest chain of tanning salons in New York, employing more than 500 people at its 34 locations. Humiston has been recognized by many organizations for his entrepreneurial spirit and creative business ideas. He is currently running for U.S. Congress in New York’s 27th Congressional District.
Reelected: Jim Shepherd—Allied Sector
Jim Shepherd was first elected to the ITA board in 2002. He has been the owner and president of Sperti Sunlamps since 1990, and is also the managing director of Go Global, an international consulting firm, and the president of the UV Foundation. Shepherd, a former U.S. marine, lives with his wife, Kathy, in Crescent Springs, Ky.
Appointed: Kevin Apgar—Allied Sector
Kevin Apgar is the vice president of sales and operations for Cosmedico Light Inc. Apgar entered the tanning industry when he joined Cosmedico as the director of new product development in 2001, and was promoted to his current position in 2006. He was appointed by the board to fill an existing vacancy.
Appointed: Marty Gallagher—Distributor Sector
Marty Gallagher is the founder and executive vice president of Suntan Supply. Headquartered in Cleveland, Suntan Supply has grown to be one of the largest distribution companies in the industry. Before his recent appointment to the board to fill an existing vacancy, Gallagher was very active in ITA affairs—particularly during last year’s fight against the proposed teen-tanning ban in Ohio. Marty is married and has four children.
Source: Indoor Tanning Association (ITA)
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