Galaxy Balloons (asi/55675) has a new president with more than 40 years of experience in the promotional products industry, including time at multiple Top 40 firms.

The Cleveland, OH-based supplier has named Les Dorfman to the key leadership role. He takes over for Terry Brizz, founder and president, who is retiring effective Jan. 31, 2023.

Terry Brizz, founder/president of Galaxy Balloons, is retiring. Les Dorfman is taking over as president.

Dorfman began his career in promo with family-owned AITG Inc., starting with the supplier of business gifts/crystal awards in the 1970s and rising to president/CEO before the company was sold in 2008.

Dorfman was also an executive vice president at High Caliber Line (asi/43442) when the firm was a Top 40 supplier; more recently he served as a senior vice president at Top 40 distributor iPROMOTEu (asi/232119), among other industry roles.

“I am extremely happy to have been selected to continue the legacy of success that Terry Brizz started at Galaxy over 30 years ago,” said Dorfman. “Galaxy is more than balloons and we plan to grow our existing product line with new product categories. Post-COVID, Galaxy is in a perfect position to expand into a Top 40 industry supplier.”

Brizz, long active in volunteer roles in the promo industry, said his retirement brings mixed emotions.

“Over the years, I have had amazing experiences starting and growing our company while also meeting many wonderful lifelong friends,” Brizz said. “We are excited to bring Les Dorfman on board as Galaxy’s new president, and I know Les will carry on our tradition of outstanding service.”

During his time in promo, Brizz served on numerous committees with Promotional Products Association International (PPAI), including the Supplier Committee, Supplier Relations, and Advertising and Public Relations. He was also an RAC delegate.

Additionally, Brizz founded MARA (Mid-America Rep Association). He is a past president of the Specialty Advertising Association of Northern Ohio (SAANO) and in 2004 was inducted into the Ohio Promotional Professionals Association Hall of Fame.

Outside promo, Brizz is an adjunct professor of entrepreneurship at Baldwin-Wallace University and a senior fellow at the University of Akron I-Corp Program. He was also awarded the 1997 Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year and the 1998 State of Ohio Entrepreneur of the Year honor. In retirement, Brizz plans to continue his involvement with both universities along with charitable endeavors. He’s also planning a bit of work on his golf game.

“Galaxy Balloons,” the company said in a statement, “salutes Terry Brizz’s many accomplishments and contributions to the company and enthusiastically welcomes Les Dorfman as Galaxy’s new president.”

PromoPlacement, a recruiting firm that focuses on the promo industry, played a key role in connecting Dorfman and Galaxy Balloons.