NECPA - OUR BOARD

Peter Douglas, President
the Cooley Group

Peter Douglas, Global Sales Account Manager at Cooley, started in the industry 25 years ago. Peter was the past owner of the Awning Factory and President of AA Thrifty Sign and Awning. His background includes extensive experience in sales, manufacturing and installation of signs and awnings from prior work at Pease awning, Arlon and Recasens. A cum laude graduate of New England Institute of Technology, Peter serves on the board of New England Canvas Products Association as Vice President, and has served on the Editorial Advisory Committee for Review Magazine and The Rhode Island Sign Contractors Executive Committee.

Laurie Moers, Vice President
Marlen Textiles

In 1989, while attending Montclair University, Laurie began working at Dillon Yarn Corp. where she spent 15 years starting in customer service, then Northeast Sales and Marketing, and finally Product Development. In 2005, she joined The Astrup Co./Tri Vantage as a Sales Representative handling the Northeast and then New Jersey/Pennsylvania. In 2011, Laurie joined Marlen Textiles, manufacturers of coated, laminated, and solution dyed polyster fabrics for use in a wide range of applications in the marine, awning, and industrial markets. She manages the entire Northeast region. Laurie resides in Mystic Island, NJ with her husband, Darrin, and two daughters, Molly and Madison.

Cheryl Yennaco, Past President
Atlantic Awning

Cheryl Yennaco is the Owner and General Manager of Atlantic Awning, a provider of quality, custom enclosures and coverings for commercial and residential customers throughout New England. After graduating from Southern University of New Hampshire, Cheryl went directly to work for the family business, Atlantic Awning. During her 23 years with the company, she has worked in the Cutting & Stitching, Sales, and Office Management departments. Today, Cheryl focuses on employee, vendor, and customer relations, as well as assisting other departments. In addition to serving NECPA, she is a member of the IFAI Symposium Committee and a Board Member for the Professional Awning Manufacturer's Association (PAMA).

Don Volosin, Secretary
Tri Vantage

Don graduated from Utah with an MBA in Business Administration and a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing with a minor in Economics. He began working for The Astrup Company in 1982 as an account rep handling New York and Pennsylvania. In 1985, Don was given a larger territory consisting of the Mid-Atlantic states. In 1988, he was promoted to Asst. Mgr. of the Edison, NJ branch. The Astrup Company was purchased by Glen Raven in 2007 and Trivantage was formed with the merger of John Boyle. In 2014, Don was promoted to Northeast Branch Mgr. of Trivantage, where he is responsible for all branch operations handling the Northeast and Mid Atlantic states. Don served as an Associate Director of the NECPA 1983 thru 1985. Currently, Don is the NECPA Secretary, a position that he was appointed in 2006. As Secretary his duties include note taking at all board and business meetings, calling to a vote any issues that require board approval, and presenting the nominations of officers.

Kate Bradford
Custom Marine Canvas

Katie started Custom Marine Canvas in June of 1985 because she always sailed and always sewed. With six employees, CMC stays busy year round serving recreational, commercial, and government watercraft. She joined the Marine Fabricators Association when it was formed, and was elected to that board in 1993, serving as Chair from 2000-2002. She brought the MFA together with NECPA for the Upper Atlantic Regional Workshop, approximately 15 years ago. She served on the IFAI Board from 1997-2003 and rejoined the IFAI Board in 2011, and currently serves as immediate past chair.

Mike Cornell
Glen Raven Custom Fabrics

Michael Cornell, Northeast Sales Manager for Glen Raven Custom Fabrics, LLC, started in the industry in 1989 as a Sales Representative for Taco Metals, a manufacturer and supplier of marine hardware and industrial extrusions. In 1996, Dickson Constant, a performance textile manufacturer based in France, hired him as Northeast Sales Manager. With the acquisition of Dickson Constant by Glen Raven Mills in 1998 and a consolidation of sales territories in 2002, Mike became the Northeast Sales Manager for Glen Raven Custom Fabrics, LLC representing both Dickson and Sunbrella for the Northeast US and Eastern Canada. In addition to the NECPA, he currently serves on the Board of Directors for IFAI Canada.

Ed Keough
Futureguard

Ed Keough joined Futureguard in 2008 as VP of sales and marketing. His awning career began in 1994 as a regional salesman for Eastern Awning Systems where he progressed to National Sales Manager over 13 years. With extensive experience in the family hardware business, Ed is a hands-on, mechanically inclined person who likes to be involved in all aspects of the business. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Michaels College in VT.

Scott Massey
Awning Cleaning Industries

Scott Massey, owner and president of Awning Cleaning Industries (ACI) of New Haven, CT, has over three decades of experience in the awning business, having started ACI in 1982 after working as an installer for a local awning dealer. A self-described “science nut” with great interest in physics, Mr. Massey attended college with the intention of having a career in aviation. A pilot’s license and membership in the Planetary Society notwithstanding, Mr. Massey is well grounded in his roles of Public and Consumer Relations Manager and Director of Operations at ACI. In addition to NECPA, Mr. Massey is also a member of the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) and the Professional Awning Manufacturers Association (PAMA).

Jim Newman
Bainbridge

Jim Newman has been with Bainbridge International since 2006 as a Sales Representative handling the marine canvas & awning industries. He started off his career in the textile industry in 1997 with Unitex. Jim is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island and presently resides in Lincoln, Rhode Island.

Tonya Ricketts
the Canvas Lady

Tonya L. Ricketts is the owner and founder of the Canvas Lady, Warwick, RI. For over 15 years she has been creating custom canvas and upholstery products for boats, working in the boatyards of New England, racing sailboats with area yacht clubs and even living aboard various vessels! She has been active in the NECPA since 2002 and had various positions over the years on the board, including the role of President from 2010-2011. She loves teaching and promoting the canvas trade and is usually found at the yearly NECPA EXPO in front of a crowd doing what she loves! Ms. Ricketts holds a BFA from North Carolina School of the Arts, and also has an advanced canvas training certificate from the Marine Canvas Training Institute in FL. She also is active in her community as an adult leader with Sea Scouts Ship 1909 promoting and teaching seamanship to youths ages 14-18.

Stefanie Vanderbeck
S.V. Design and Consulting

Stefanie Vanderbeck stands at the forefront of awning design and project management with a detailed understanding of the various manufacturing techniques. With 30 years of experience, she’s an industry expert who manages all facets of awning / canopy manufacturing from the intricate design concept through to installation.

Throughout her career, Stefanie has built a reputation for providing high quality, custom awnings with her strong project management skills and an impeccable eye for commercial and residential design. She knows what it takes to run a successful awning company, from OSHA compliance, to streamlining production in the factory and elevating sales.

For the past five years, Stefanie has been a board member of the North East Canvas Product Association (NECPA), where she leads seminars and connects with other experts in the field. She has also been a Certified Project Planner since 2005 through the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI), and is an active member of the Professional Awning Member Association (PAMA).

Heidi Ashley
Seafarer Canvas, LLC

Heidi began her career in international banking, bank operations and international consulting. She worked for the Bank of California, NY Edge, and Citigroup. In 1998 she joined Seafarer Canvas. She manages the NY shop and financial operations for the company. She has a BA in French Language and Literature from Boston University and a MBA in International Business from Baruch College.

John Tavano
the Miami Corporation

John Tavano is the National Awning Account Manager for The Miami Corporation, which specializes in providing fabrics and supplies to the leading companies within the awning, marine, automotive and outdoor living markets. John was recently promoted from his original position as Northeast Sales Representative for which he was hired back in 2013. He first started in the industry in 2009 as a regional sales representative for Eastern Awning Systems, a Connecticut based manufacturer of high end retractable awnings and vertical shade systems. John excels in math and problem solving which originally drew him into the Engineering fields, resulting in him earning his Bachelor of Science degree in Structural and Civil Engineering from the University of Connecticut. John is an avid golfer and enjoys spending his free time with his wife and two young children in Connecticut.

Mike Gatti
Herculite Products

Mike has dedicated his career to the industrial fabric industry. He has over 20 years’ experience with Weblon, Inc. in financial and management positions. Currently he is General Manager of Weblon Products in the Awning and Marine products division at Herculite Products in Emigsville, Pennsylvania. Mike is an active member of IFAI, PAMA, Marine Fabricators Assoc. and many IFAI affiliated regional zones. He currently serves as PAMA Chairman and a board member of Canvas Products Association Zone 7. Mike earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Marketing from Pace University.

Sam Sloan
Sloan Machinery Co

Sam Sloan is the President of Sloan Machinery Co and has been in the sewing machine industry for 45 years. He has been a member of NECPA since the mid 1990’s when the show was in Sturbridge, Ma.

Mr. Sloan’s experience has been an asset to the organization, creating solutions for members of NECPA in sewing techniques and equipment maintenance. He takes pride in pioneering the latest in sewing technology and the most up to date Machinery for the trade. He is happy to be a resource for the NECPA community.

JOIN US
Whether you are a manufacturer, distributor, fabricator, retailer or service provider, the NECPA would love to have you join us! Find out more about our organization, or join today.

CONTACT US
North East Canvas Products Association

203.479.9007

info@necpa.org

NORTH EAST CANVAS PRODUCTS ASSOCIATION

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS