PMDA Elects Sony’s Kahn as President, Adds Canon, Samsung, Sigma Reps to...

PMDA Elects Sony’s Kahn as President, Adds Canon, Samsung, Sigma Reps to Exec Board

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Woodbury, NY—The PhotoImaging Manufacturers and Distributors Association (PMDA), America’s oldest and respected photo industry organization, which brings together the most renowned brands in the photo-imaging community, announced that its board of directors elected Mike Kahn as president.

A 25-year veteran of the consumer electronics industry, Kahn is the director of Sony’s Alpha camera systems business unit. In his role as president, Kahn will continue PMDA’s mission to promote and advance imaging while working with member organizations to help chart the industry’s future.  

Mike Kahn succeeds Joellyn Gray, director of Marketing for Fujifilm’s Imaging division, who will continue to serve on the PMDA board of directors.

PMDA also announced changes to its executive board, including the addition of three new vice presidents: Michelle Fernandez, director at Canon USA; Christine Moossmann, director of Marketing at Sigma Corp.; and Jay Kelbley, senior marketing manager, Digital Imaging, at Samsung Electronics. 

“Given his extensive experience in both the photographic and consumer electronics world, electing Mike Kahn as president of PMDA is very reflective of the changing face of the photographic industry,” said Jerry Grossman, PMDA’s executive director. “We believe he, along with our additional incoming members, will provide a fresh and modern perspective to our board.”

At Sony, Kahn is responsible for all aspects of the Alpha camera system, including sales, marketing and product development for the U.S. marketplace. He has run some of Sony’s most well-known businesses of the past 16 years, including Walkman, Mobile Electronics and Memory Stick. Kahn also has extensive experience serving on organizational boards, including his current seat on CEA’s Digital Imaging division’s board. He is also the first representative to serve as the newly created Special Advisor to the Photo Marketing Association’s (PMA) executive committee.

“PMDA has a rich history within the photo industry, and I am honored to serve as its president,” said Kahn. “Each year brings critical advancements to the technology and business opportunities within the imaging space, and 2013 will be no different. Moving forward, my goal will be to strengthen PMDA’s voice within our evolving industry and continue to provide an effective forum for manufacturers and distributors to discuss emerging trends, product innovations and consumer behaviors. PMDA has played a major part in the imaging industry for nearly 75 years, but I believe our strongest years are yet to come.” 

In recent years, PMDA has made significant strides in adding a diverse range of imaging-related organizations to its executive board. Today, the board consists of representatives from such industry-leading brands as Panasonic, Hewlett-Packard, Nikon, Olympus, Shutterfly, The Tiffen Company and Tamron.   

Founded in 1939, PMDA provides a series of forums throughout the business year for its membership to exchange ideas and learn about new technologies and business trends, in addition to administering programs that promote photography to the general public. Programs and symposiums feature leading photo-imaging product suppliers and retailers, as well as financial analysts and technical experts. The organization also works with PMA International to produce TakeGreatPictures.com, a site created to help American consumers find meaningful ways to incorporate photography into their everyday lives, while helping them to make intelligent decisions about buying cameras and accessories. pmda.com

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