The Sporting Goods Agents Association has recently inducted the following rep agencies into the 69 year-old trade organization. New reps welcomed by SGAA president Gary Niland were: Bob Watkowski, Double Eagle Sales Inc of Trenton, MI; John Conlin and Mike Bloom, John Conlin Sales, Brea, CA and Chris Sims, Mountain Pacific Sales, Nevada City, CA.
Former President of the Tackle Reps Association and Sporting Goods Agents Association board member, Tony Reinhardt Gayle, 84, passed away on July 10th in Arlington, Texas after a long battle with Parkinsons Disease. Gayle became an independent manufacturers agent in the early 40s and helped establish both the Southwest Tackle Market and the Southwest Athletic Traders Association Market. He retired from the industry in 1973. Tony is survived by his loving wife Betty, son John and two grandchildren.
South Bend Sporting Goods, Northbrook, IL, presented their Extra Ordinary Sales Achievement Honors to Mike Gilbertson and Joe Garduno of the Krenzien, Krenzien & Associates Agency. Gilbertson was recognized for his efforts with Gander Mountain and Garduno with Gart Sports. Both men received plaques as well as monetary compensation for all their hard-work from South Bend, remarked partners Richard and Steven Krenzien, whose organization is also headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois.
Emily Leonard has joined Crown Sports Sales, Mooresville, NC, and will be responsible for the Carolina territories. Sports Alliance, Chino Hills, California, has added Tommy Amico to travel a portion of Southern California and Southern Nevada, while Gregory Associates has hired Shaun Fitzpatrick to focus on selling New Balance and PF Flyers in Central New England.
The SGAA along with the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association International (SGMAI) have announced that their third annual Coach & Connect Mentoring Program will take place the opening day of the 2004 Super Show, Monday, January 12, at the Orange County Convention Center-North/South Complex, Orlando, Florida, 4:00pm till 6:00pm.
Any interested reps or industry personnel who would like to attend this complimentary program, which includes food and a hosted bar, can reserve their chairs by e-mailing Lois Halinton at SGAA998@aol.com or phoning the SGAA International Headquarters at 847-296-3670.
Some of the Mentors already committed to this 2004 session are Bob Corliss, Athletes Foot; Matt Mirchin, Russell Athletic; Tom Rogge, Cramer; Bob Minihane, Bob Minihane & Associates & SGAA Legal Counsel Jim Riebandt, to name a few. Titled subjects as well as additional Mentors will be announced in the near future by SGAA & SGMAI.
