A veteran promotional products professional with experience at multiple Top 40 suppliers is the new executive director of the Specialty Advertising Association of Greater New York (SAAGNY), one of the largest regional industry trade associations in the United States.

SAAGNY has named John R. B. Cudahy to the key leadership role at the promo organization, a community of more than 700 distributors, suppliers and multi-line representatives doing business in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. SAAGNY offers trade shows, education, networking, social events and more.

John R. B. Cudahy, SAAGNY

“I am extremely honored to continue my long history with SAAGNY,” Cudahy said in a statement. “The association has been a passion of mine for many, many years. Having the chance to dedicate 100% of my time to something I love so much is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

After a rigorous search that included evaluating applicants from inside and outside promo, Cudahy emerged as the individual best qualified and best suited to serve as SAAGNY’s executive director, according to the association’s board of directors.

“With John’s skills, experience and passion for our association, it will be a rewarding adventure for us all,” said SAAGNY President Rachel Levin, who is senior director of strategic accounts and partnerships at Top 40 distributor Stran Promotional Solutions (asi/337725).

Cudahy’s promo experience includes more than seven years as a regional sales manager at Top 40 supplier Starline (asi/89320). He was also a key account manager for Top 40 supplier Hit Promotional Products (asi/61125) and a senior national account manager for Prime Line (asi/79530), a former Top 40 firm that is now part of Top 40 supplier alphabroder (asi/34063).

Cudahy was most recently Northeast sales executive for Raining Rose (asi/80489), a supplier, he said in a LinkedIn post, that’s bittersweet to be leaving because it’s home to “so many amazing people.”

Of Cudahy, SAAGNY past President Brett Schaffer said: “His industry experience and fresh outlook will bring many years of success to SAAGNY.”