The Independent Cosmetic Manufacturers and Distributors association (ICMAD) announced that executive director Penni Jones is retiring effective July 1, 2011. ICMAD's board of directors has decided to eliminate and replace the position of executive director with the newly created position of president/CEO to run the day-to-day activities of the association, and has appointed Pam Busiek to the position. The association believes the change will reinforce its role as a voice for entrepreneurs and indie beauty companies.
Jones held the executive director position, through which she promoted the visibility of the association, for almost 20 years. Under her watch, according to a press release, the association has grown its membership ranks steadily, strengthened its focus and impact on issues. Jones voice will remain active within the association in a consulting role.
ICMAD believes Busiek's vision and experience as a proven leader and entrepreneur will foster many positive changes to grow and position the association as a collaborator within the industry at large and to reinforce ICMAD as the hub for today’s emerging entrepreneurial companies.
“This is a very exciting time in the world of beauty and cosmetics," says Busiek. "As one who has a passion for the industry and as an entrepreneur, it is a privilege to steward ICMAD. Innovation, science, distribution, communication, regulation and legislation in our world are all moving quickly, presenting lots of new opportunities and direction. We will miss Penni's day-to-day involvement but look forward to expanding on the foundation she built. As a consultant, Penni will be working closely with our legislative and special project efforts as well as be a familiar face within our trade show participation.”
The association is driven by a board of directors who are members themselves and who represent the membership base and interests. The volunteer board leadership is as follows:
- Chairman of the Board—Ian Ginsberg, C.O. Bigelow Apothecaries
- Secretary—Sharon Blinkoff, Venable LLC
- Treasurer—Craig Weiss, Consumer Product Testing Co.
- Chairman Emeritus—Stanley Katz, CosmeticIndex.com
