Sales Assistant

Tyler is a graduate of the Ramapo College of New Jersey Class of 2010. A product of the Progressive Promotions internship program, Tyler brings his youthful exuberance and positive attitude to the workplace.

Born and raised in Rutherford, Tyler grew up rooting for and still loves the Yankees and Giants.  Some of his hobbies include watching baseball games, playing and listening to music, socializing with friends, and going on road trips.

At Progressive Promotions, Tyler handles the updating of the website, photography of products, and lends a helping hand whenever and wherever needed.

Sales and Marketing Coordinator

Joe Cirillo entered the promotional products / advertising specialties industry via osmosis; exposed to the business by subliminally soaking up knowledge from immediate family and acquaintances for 20 + years. Officially making it into a career 5 years ago, Joe also has an additional background in licensing, logistics, & supply chain management. He spends his free time voraciously reading, golfing, rooting for the Yankees & Dolphins, traveling, freelance writing, and spoiling his 2 year old daughter, Francesca.”

Director of Operations

Brian joins us as the former VP of Operations for Thomson-Reuters. He handles the process and efficiencies aspect of PPI as well as the Human Resources and technology work. He is certified in Total Quality Management and is an asset to the everyday functions of the company.

In his spare time, Brian loves spending time with his family and also enjoys working on his 120 year-old house. An avid runner, you will find Brian running 4 miles everyday starting at 4:45 am.

Account Manager

Ask Noreen to describe herself and the first word that comes to mind is “efficient.” She enjoyed working on a project for Ritz Crackers that included creating official-sized rubber basketballs for in-store displays, and a similar project for Capri Sun that called for customized soccer balls.

She is currently working towards a degree in Art History from Ramapo College, NJ. She loves to travel, learn new things, and spend time with her dog Raven

Key Account Manager for Baxter Healthcare Corporation and ADP (Automatic Data Processing)

Having spent the better part of her career working in promotions, Melissa has embraced trends and innovation, growing along with her clients and our unique industry. “It has been exciting to watch how our industry has responded to what is important at retail. The product and creativity that we can offer to our valued customers has improved exponentially in the last ten years.”

Her strength lies in fostering and building long term relationships, and has had the opportunity to do so for clients like ADP and Baxter.

When she is not busy finding that right product for your next campaign, she has fun experimenting in the kitchen or with her guilty pleasure, reality tv!

Key Account Manager for American Express

A graduate of Fairleigh Dickinson University, Melissa, a tenacious go-getter, helped create a customized travel guide and travel frame for Delta, and a custom calculator for OPEN. That piece stands out because it included a box showing where clients could use their card for savings, and a means to track the number of hits to their website. Melissa plays piano, practices yoga, and is constantly working to increase her body of knowledge.

Office/Business Manager

When a busy office runs as smoothly as ours does, you know you have the best office manager around. Thanks to Maxine Arak Agen our complex software is up-to-date, our state of the art phone system keep our teams connected.

Maxine received a B.A. from Bernard Baruch College of CUNY in 1985, with a double major in business and journalism. Prior to joining PPI, she worked for an investment banking firm specializing in IT mergers and acquisitions at both the hottest and coldest times in the industry.

A sports and outdoors enthusiast, Maxine loves to play tennis and spend time at the gym. In more sedentary moments, she plays mah jongg, and is currently learning to knit.

Vice President, Business Development

Marcia Tarnoff, Vice President, Business Development
“I truly love what I do,” says vice president of Business Development Marcia Tarnoff. Of all the exciting projects she has worked on as a member of the PPI team, Marcia particularly enjoyed working with Kraft Foods to develop a sweepstakes promotional campaign that included a famous person, an awesome cookie, and a singing contest. PPI developed the prize pack to be awarded to 500 lucky winners. “This is an awesome promotion that allowed Progressive Promotions to really show our strengths in the areas of creativity, and sourcing the perfect promotional vehicle to compliment their program, as well as providing cost effective solutions.”

Marcia also recalls a new brand launch for Tassimo where consumers had the opportunity to sample coffee made from a new self-serve coffee machine. PPI produced display kits for retailers such as Bloomingdales and Bed Bath & Beyond. The kits were featured in an episode of Martha Stewart’s Apprentice where the contestants were required to sell the coffee machine. “Our banners, aprons, and sampling cups were on national TV! It was fun and exciting for our team.”

When not giving it all to her PPI team, Marcia is giving it all to her children. “We are meant to appreciate the big and little things in life. It is up to each and everyone of us to take advantage of the gifts we are given.”

Business Development Manager

Originally from St. Louis, our Chi-town Business Development Manager prides herself on her outstanding relationship building skills which she is known for professionally and personally.

After receiving her Business Degree in Marketing from University of Missouri-Columbia, Kathy worked at Anheuser-Busch before starting Boom Promotional Products, which she ran for seven years.  Now heading up the Chicago office, Kathy will be developing corporate accounts for PPI.

This outgoing and driven team member never slows down.  She is often found running, rollerblading, playing volleyball and staying connected with friends and family.  Needless to say, her bichon/poodle mix, Lexie, is the only loved one who can truly keep up with her energy.

Production Manager

Kathy loved working on a project for Nabisco that custom-designed basketballs with a large, eye-catching promotion title logo. She also enjoyed working on commemorative lapel pins for the 100th anniversary of Planters Peanuts. The unique item gave the history of the product from its start in 1906, and demonstrated how the logo changed from the original Mr. Peanut icon to the familiar one used today.

Kathy was also proud of the hard work that went into designing a Oscar Mayer Weinermobile hand-painted custom keychain.

When not in the office, Kathy collects cookbooks and British rock music, and enjoys going to concerts of her favorite artists. “To unwind I escape into my music or into the kitchen with a new recipe.”