Lee Kaufman, President
Brody’s 800-4-Balloons, Chicago, IL
800-652-7639
Lee@mkbrody.com
Born in Chicago in 1960 the youngest of 3 boys, Lee attended Columbia College where he obtained a BA in Photography. While at Columbia, Lee worked as a Teaching Assistant in the photography department. Lee has been involved in Brody’s since the young age of 8 and over the past 23 years at Brody’s, has created, used and staffed most of the forms, procedures, and positions, in use at this time. Lee has been the President since 1990 and took over as CFO in 1997.
Lee is the father of three, straight A students, and credits his wife, who sacrificed her career as an Industrial Designer for his children’s academic success. Lee enjoys Whitewater and Surf Kayaking, as well as many other outdoor and athletic activities. Lee is also an avid listener to books on tape and reader of books from almost any genre.
Elissa Gellis Mast, 1st Vice President
E & R Sales, Inc., Midlothian, VA
800-234-7474
Headcoach@ersales.com
Elissa Mast currently oversees the sales and operations for E & R Sales, Inc., a national balloon and novelty trends distributor. Prior to joining the company in 1995, she was a banking center manager for NationsBank in Richmond, Virginia. She was also founding partner of Memories Galore, Your Scrapbooking Stores in Richmond, VA, from 1998-2007. She served on the Board of the Brandermill Community Association from 2001-2004 and is currently a member on its finance committee. She serves as a Director on the Board of the Virginia Council of CEOs, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to connect the CEOs of second-stage companies. She sits on the Executive Board for the CHES PTA in Chesterfield County. She has served on the IBA Board since 2005 and chairs the Annual Conference Committee.
Committed to community involvement, she was the founder and chair of the MS Golf Classic, a charity golf tournament benefiting the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. She also leads a team annually for the MS Walk and is consistently one of the largest individual fundraisers for that event in Virginia.
Elissa is married and has two young children, Ellie and Sam.
Tim A. Vlamis, 2nd Vice President
Managing Director Business Development
Pioneer Balloon Company, Wichita, KS
316-685-2266
Timv@qualatex.com
Tim has held a variety of key positions within Pioneer since 1985 including management and direction of New Product Development, International, Education, Domestic Markets, Brand Management, and Retail Development. Tim received the "Crystal" award in 1995 given annually to the individual with the greatest career impact on the professional balloon industry for the conception and development of the Qualatex Balloon Network and its CBA certification program. Prior to joining Pioneer he worked in Chicago for Foote, Cone, & Belding Advertising in account management and as a consultant to Pfizer Pharmaceuticals in New York. One of the first 1000 to earn the Professional Certified Marketer designation (PCM) from the American Marketing Association, Tim is a passionate student of complexity theory, history of mathematics, and the principles and elements of design. Tim earned an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and a BA in Economics from Yale University.
Curt Terrace, Treasurer
Aerial Bouquets, Chesterfield, MO
636-532-9393
Curtaerial@accessus.net
Jim McCormick, Regional Director
Western Regional Sales Manager
Anagram International
714-779-5709
Mccormig@anagramintl.com
A native of Southern California, Jim received his Bachelors Degree from Humboldt State University majoring in Business Psychology and Public Relations. Jim has spent his entire professional career of 27 years, in sales. Starting with Cover Girl Cosmetics where he worked for seven years in various sales capacities then moving to Revlon, where he worked as Regional Sales Manager. In 1995, Jim moved to Anagram International and found a home as the Western Regional Sales Manager. The balloon business is fast paced and challenging. “I can’t think of another industry or company that I would rather work for!”
Diane Sheward, Regional Director
The Balloon Room, Vandalia, OH
800-494-0092
sdscba@aol.com
Diane has been in the balloon industry for well over 20 years.
She has been involved with several different aspects of the industry as Retailer, Wholesaler and Instructor. Dating back to 1985, Diane and her husband began a balloon decor and delivery business which they operated successfully for more than 14 years.
In addition to her retail experience, Diane is an experienced Gift Basket and Floral Designer, all of which has provided her with a broad industry perspective
Diane is a charter member of the Qualatex Balloon Network and has served on the QBN Advisory Board. In 1998 she joined The Balloon Room, a wholesale balloon distributor, as a Field Service Representative and instructor for Balloon Room School of Technology. Diane currently holds the position of Sales Manager, and continues to teach .
Wynn Bell, Associate Regional Director
Final Touch Balloons, Portland, OR
503-356-1010
wynnlindybell@msn.com
Wynn Bell has been in the balloon decor industry for nineteen years. Along with wife and partner Lindy, his expertise extends to all phases of balloon work – Wedding Decor, Corporate Decor, Sculpture Design, Sculpture Competitions, and Education at both the local and national level. Wynn is an accomplished designer winning several Large Sculpture competitions while also in demand as an instructor for IBA, IBAC, JBAN, and many regional and local venues over the years. Wynn has also mentored and advised many balloon people lending them his unique insights into the balloon industry. His many experiences enable him to see and understand the “big picture,” giving him the ability to work with customers, decorators, distributors and manufacturers at all levels.
Matt McKinney, Past President
All American Balloon Supply, Santa Ana, CA
949-916-1831
matt_mcms@cox.net
As co-founder and President of All American Balloon Supply in Santa Ana, CA, Matt dedicates his work and abilities towards educating and nurturing future balloon business owners, high school/junior high students as well as existing/current customers. Matt has participated and assisted customers in the construction of large scale decor for the Democratic and Republican Conventions and a number of Super Bowls to name a few. Matt served as President of the International Balloon Association 2004-06, and has served on the Qualatex Balloon Network Advisory Board for Pioneer Balloon Company.
Marty Fish, Executive Director
IBA, Wichita, KS
866-413-7358
Marty@ibaonline.net
Marty began working in the balloon industry in 1986 when she joined the staff of Balloon World, Inc., as Director of Marketing and Sales.
Marty was elected to the IBA Board of Directors as Secretary/Treasurer in 1997 and has served as Executive Director since 2000. As Executive Director, Marty sees to the general administration and management of the affairs of the IBA acting as liaison for the corporation to the balloon industry. Marty is married with three children aged 17, 18, and 20.
Please see the Constitution and Bylaws to learn more about serving on the IBA Board of Directors.