SIMA Announces New President
The Surf Industry Manufacturers Association has announced its newly elected and appointed board members for 2009. Doug Palladini, vice president of marketing for Vans and previous SIMA board member, has been tapped to succeed Dick Baker as the new president of SIMA. Baker, the much-loved former chief executive of Ocean Pacific who led the organization for 10 years, died in April after a two-year battle with cancer.
“I am excited that the SIMA board and membership have elected me as the next SIMA president and sincerely humbled that Dick Baker was so supportive of my nomination to succeed him,” Palladini said in a statement. “While I cannot possibly fill Dick’s shoes, I do intend to honor his legacy by working closely with all member companies to grow and promote the surf industry as effectively as possible.”
Continuing their roles as officers are Chad DiNenna, co-founder and director of marketing for Nixon, as SIMA vice president; Joel Cooper, chief executive of Lost International, as SIMA treasurer; and Greg Macias, vice president of marketing for Quiksilver, as SIMA secretary. Joining the team are Shea Weber, president of Dewey Weber International Inc., as a newly elected member of the board of directors, and Toby Bost, chief executive of the La Jolla Group, who has been appointed to the SIMA advisory board. Dan McInerny, vice president of sales for Olukai, has been elected to the board of directors. McInerny previously served on the SIMA advisory board. —Erin Barajas
