TGA Appoints New Executive Officers

The Board of Directors of the Travel Goods Association (TGA) has appointed Michele Marini Pittenger as the association's president and Rob Holmes as its vice president. Because of the seriousness of Anne DeCicco's illness, the TGA Board put a leadership continuity/transition plan into effect approximately six months ago. Consequently, Michele and Rob assumed leadership of the association earlier this year.

The TGA Board of Directors believes that the association is well positioned with Michele and Rob's leadership to serve all of the requirements of its members in an effective manner. "I am extremely pleased with Michele and Rob's performance over the last six months during very trying circumstances," indicated TGA Chairman Tom Sandler. He further stated, "the industry will truly miss Anne DeCicco's tireless efforts to forward the standing of the travel goods industry. Anne was a true professional, possessing exceptional skills and expertise. I am confident, however, that we have selected two outstanding individuals to lead TGA in the future."

Ms. Pittenger previously served as vice president for TGA and editor-in-chief of Travel Goods Showcase magazine. A 15-year veteran of TGA, she was actively involved in the association's evolution from the Luggage & Leather Goods Manufacturers of America (LLGMA) to the all-inclusive association TGA is today. Before her appointment as vice president of LLGMA, Ms. Pittenger was director of communications and was responsible for identifying and communicating new products and trends to various audiences and overseeing the publication of all promotional materials for the association and its conferences. As editor-in-chief, she writes and produces the industry's leading trade publication. Previously, Ms. Pittenger was editor-in-chief of Magazine & Bookseller and show promotion manager for North American Publishing Company in New York, NY.

Mr. Holmes has been with TGA for the past two years and is responsible for administrative services, finance and legal matters, as well as the association's trade show, The Travel Goods Show. Prior to his tenure with TGA, Mr. Holmes served as general counsel and senior vice president for the New Jersey Hospital Association in West Windsor.

The Travel Goods Association is the voice of the travel goods industry. A national trade association based in Princeton, NJ, TGA represents the manufacturers, distributors, and retailers of luggage, leather goods, business and computer cases, business, personal and travel accessories, handbags, and other products for people who travel. TGA is the sponsor of The Travel Goods Show, the largest annual exhibition of finished travel goods in the world.