Contact:
Karen E. T. Garrett
202.416.6426
kgarrett@dsa.org

National trade association and communications agency executive to direct coordinated stakeholder engagement effort demonstrating direct selling is a force for good.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Direct Selling Association (DSA) — the national trade association of leading firms that manufacture and distribute goods and services sold directly to consumers — announced today announced that Paul Skowronek has joined the organization as Senior Vice President, Public Affairs.

“Direct selling provides economic opportunity to millions of hardworking Americans,” said Joseph Mariano, DSA’s President. “We’re excited that Paul has joined us to put his substantial expertise in messaging and stakeholder education and engagement to work on behalf of this dynamic industry.”

Skowronek is charged with promoting the image and reputation of direct selling as a force for good through greater coordination of DSA’s communications and government relations efforts, which he will oversee. He will report directly to Adolfo Franco, DSA’s Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, and work closely with Mariano and Franco on strategic issues facing the industry.

“Every community in this country is strengthened by direct selling and the values it promotes,” said Skowronek. “Direct sellers are relatives, neighbors and friends who are attracted to the uniquely American promise that hard work can help anyone build a better life. I look forward to collaborating with my colleagues and DSA members on initiatives that demonstrate the value that nearly 17 million Americans bring to their families, communities and the economy through direct sales.”

Previously, Skowronek directed high-profile issue management, public affairs and reputational campaigns for large industries and Fortune 100 corporations at the strategic communications firm APCO Worldwide. He built platforms such as “Meetings Mean Business” (U.S. Travel Association) and “ThinkWellPoint” (WellPoint), which helped make a value case to policymakers and the media at pivotal moments. He was also a state affairs and business development executive at America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) during implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

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DSA is the national trade association of the leading firms that manufacture and distribute goods and services sold directly to consumers. Among its more than 240 active and pending members are companies selling both via a party-plan method and in the traditional person-to-person style. In 2013, U.S. direct sales were nearly $32 billion with nearly 17 million direct sellers nationwide. The vast majority are independent business people—micro-entrepreneurs—whose purpose is to sell the product/service of the company they voluntarily choose to represent. Approximately 90 percent of direct sellers operate their business part-time. For more information on direct selling, DSA and its Code of Ethics, please visit DSA’s website, www.dsa.org.