natalie o'leary

President

Outside of work, I enjoy being with my husband Daniel and our three kids: Declan (6.5), Emeline (3.5), Nora (1).  Both of our families live in Texas, so we do as much as we can together!  I also love to cook, the Holidays, and traveling as much as possible.  I am looking for fun and unique opportunities to give back to the Promotional Products Industry, an industry that has given a lot to me!  There are so many amazing things happening in our beloved industry, and I would love to help play a part in moving it forward, particularly in my hometown of Houston.

matt parisi

Vice President

Matt has been in the promotional products industry for nearly three years as a member of our Distributor Account Advisor team. He graduated from Texas A&M with a degree in Industrial Distribution. Before joining SAGE, Matt started his career at Cummins in the Power Generation division and now boasts over 5 years of B2B sales experience. He is committed to resolving challenges for his clients, providing tailored solutions that precisely align with their requirements.

Laurie gerber

Treasurer/Secretary

Laurie Gerber serves as Director of Sales for Kati Sportcap & Bag, a Houston-based supplier specializing in headwear and decoration services. With more than 15 years in leadership at Kati, Laurie has played an integral role in driving sales growth, strengthening distributor relationships, and showcasing the company’s one-stop-shop capabilities—from fully stocked warehousing to in-house embroidery and decoration.

Known for her strong industry partnerships and community involvement, Laurie is passionate about supporting distributors, building meaningful connections, and giving back. She has helped lead community relief efforts in times of crisis and actively fosters collaboration within the promotional products industry. Laurie brings strategic sales expertise, operational insight, and a relationship-first approach to her board service.

LATisha marshall

Immediate Past President

Latisha Joseph serves as Vice President of Operations at Brand IQ Inc., bringing more than 20 years of leadership experience in the promotional products industry. Known for turning complexity into clarity, Latisha specializes in operational strategy, cross-functional leadership, and building scalable systems that drive sustainable growth.

Prior to joining Brand IQ, Latisha spent over two decades at ePromos Promotional Products, where she led large-scale operational initiatives, managed multimillion-dollar business units, and developed workflows, KPIs, and vendor partnerships that improved efficiency while reducing costs. She has a strong track record of launching systems that increase productivity, strengthen accountability, and support enterprise-level client partnerships.

A results-driven leader, Latisha is passionate about coaching high-potential talent, fostering strong teams, and making the hard decisions that move organizations forward. She brings strategic insight, operational discipline, and a growth mindset to her board service.

gabi phillips

Secretary | Treasurer

Gabriela "Gabi" – Texas State University graduate, Class of 2021, with a bachelor's in Marketing and a focus on professional selling. Houston is home, where my love for fashion thrives. Whether jetting off to explore new destinations or immersing myself in live concerts, I'm all about embracing life's adventures. A shopaholic with a penchant for naps, I find joy in the bustling energy of the city and the serenity of a good sleep.

paul bellantone

Director

Paul Bellantone has over 25 years of experience in the promotional products industry, including two decades at PPAI, where he served as President & CEO from 2011–2021. He joined HALO’s Executive Team in 2021 as SVP of Sales, later becoming SVP of Customer Experience and Group President of HBS in 2023. Since 2024, he has been the Regional Vice President – South at HALO.

Bellantone holds an MAS designation from PPAI and a Certified Association Executive designation from ASAE. He has served on several not-for-profit boards, including the Texas Society of Association Executives and the Promotional Products Education Foundation. He holds an MBA from Texas Woman's University and is a graduate of Rutgers University.

ashlee duerr

Director

I’m a dynamic sales leader with 26 years of experience in the promotional products industry with a passion for building meaningful partnerships that drive strategic growth. As Director of Business Development for Spector & Co., I work with distributors of all size, from home-based businesses to global organizations, across the Southwestern U.S. I’m dedicated to delivering premium, design-forward solutions that inspire creativity, elevate brands, and drive lasting business growth.

My strengths include strategic account development, creative problem-solving, and relationship-driven leadership. I thrive on collaboration and believe that genuine connection paired with innovative thinking, create lasting success.

I’m eager to bring my energy, insight, and forward-thinking approach to the HPPA Board, focusing on mentorship, member engagement, education, and events that strengthen the Houston promotional community.

tracy james

Director

As an Outside Sales Representative for Corporate Incentives, I have over 11 years of experience in an industry where every day is an opportunity to turn ideas into tangible items that people love, help brands stand out, and build lasting relationships.

I am passionate about the growth, collaboration, and innovation within our industry. It’s so full of creative driven professionals with big ideas and unlimited potential, and I love being a part of it!

Outside of work, I enjoy RV adventures with my husband, Ed, and our two dogs. We also love attending sporting events, volunteering at the local dog shelter, and making lasting memories with our children and grandchildren.