Karen Gray Elected RPI Board President

New officers and directors announced for 2023 RPI Board of Directors

MINNEAPOLIS – Feb. 7, 2023 – Recognition Professionals International (RPI) announced Karen Gray, CRP, PMP, director, project management, O.C. Tanner is the 2023 RPI Board President. 

Gray brings over 25 years of recognition industry experience in sales, consulting and project management to her current position at O.C. Tanner where she oversees the implementation of global recognition solutions and their supporting strategies. She is a results-oriented professional with a passion for coaching, developing and motivating high-performing teams. Gray says she thrives on fostering a culture of engagement and empowerment through servant leadership. 

“Since joining RPI in 2018, it has been an absolute privilege to work alongside an amazing network of recognition professionals. Whether practitioners or solution providers, this community comes together to elevate and embed the practice of recognition into the employee experience. In 2023, RPI will fortify our fundamentals and look to the future to further our purpose, enhance member value, and expand our reach around the world. The vision of RPI began in Jacksonville, Florida, 27 years ago. As a resident of Jacksonville and an employee of one of the founding members of RPI, I could not be more honored to serve as President as we carry our legacy forward,” Gray says.

RPI also elected Ashlee Green, CRP, CPIM, Verizon, executive vice president; Kimberly Huffman, Dollar General, vice president; Lauren Gagne, CRP, C.A. Short Company, treasurer; Rachel Rump, University of Notre Dame, secretary; and David Klein, Spirit Airlines as past president.

New Directors are Hatim Abdelhamid, Dar Al Riyadh Consultants; Andrew Bishop, CRP, RecogNation; Maria Detling, CMP, Hewlett Packard Enterprise; Emily Gatton, CRP, Engage2Excel; Marlene Johnson, WorkStride; and Janet Skolud, CRP, TD Bank Group.

Returning directors are Jim Bittner, Centricity; Kevin Cronin, CRP; Tonda Ferguson, CRP; JoAnn Grantham, SPHR, University of Michigan Medicine; Susan Hall, CRP, Gateway First Bank; Theresa Harkins-Schulz, CRP, CCP, SPHR, Inspirus, LLC; Latecia Pusha, CRP, SHRM-C, Effingham Health System; Mark Smith, One10; Jeannette Stalboerger, CRP, SHRM-CP, Holland America Group; Amy Stern, BI WORLDWIDE; and Dan Stern, BAE Systems.

About Recognition Professionals International  (www.recognition.org)
Recognition Professionals International (RPI) is a Strategic Industry Group (SIG) within the Incentive Marketing Association. RPI is the only professional association at the forefront of workforce recognition through its sole focus on recognition innovations and education as a systematic method for improvements in the workplace. RPI members are recognition experts who practice the art of recognition at their companies and recognition solution providers who provide recognition services, tools and platforms to companies as a service (including consultation, program design and technology).

Contact:  Ione Terrio • iterrio@incentivemarketing.org • 952-928-4687