PMA honors Distinguished Service Award winners

Kevin Donahue’s 35-year career as an executive in photo imaging has centered on turning companies around – in particular, his present situation with Digital Portal Inc., Grand Prairie, Texas. Donahue was appointed CEO of the struggling start-up company in 2002, and within 18 months turned a $4.5 million operating loss into a profitable position – synergizing all technical operations with the sister company, Photo-Me USA. Donahue did a similar thing as president of Fujicolor Processing Inc., Elmsford, N.Y., where he led an executive team involving a nationwide operation of 26 plants and 2,800 employees. Donahue served as executive vice president of Qualex Inc., Durham, N.C., and worked for 29 years with Eastman Kodak Co. in a variety of managerial positions. Donahue’s industry involvement includes supporting and participating with the PMA Dixie Division Inc.

Vivian Kistler, MCPF, GCF – who sadly lost a long and courageous battle with cancer Jan. 6 – is the first custom framer to be honored with a PMA Distinguished Service Award. Kistler owned Columba Publishing Co., Akron, Ohio, and was no stranger to awards. In March 2009, she was honored with the Professional Picture Framers Association (PPFA) Lifetime Achievement Award; and in 1999, she received the PPFA Award of Recognition for Innovation – an award that now bears her name. Kistler, who had a degree in art and a certificate in finance, owned and operated a large retail gallery and frame shop for more than 20 years. She also owned a craft store, and a commercial framing company that supplied framing and art to hotels, coliseums, and hospitals. She was the author of numerous books and videos, and her monthly articles appeared in many industry magazines. A PPFA framing competition judge, educator and keynote speaker for PPFA at annual conferences and Chapter events, she traveled the world training framers; she taught at the PMA Australia Expo in May and was slated to teach three classes at PPFA 2010. She created and developed National Art & Framing Month to promote public awareness of the craft. Kistler was certified as a Master Certified Picture Framer by PPFA and as a Guild Commended Framer by the Fine Art Trade Guild. She also was a former senior chairholder for the Color Marketing Group.

Richard Robertson’s career in photographic sales started in 1968 as a trainee salesman for a local specialty retailer in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. He had never owned a camera until then. He quickly learned how to sell; and in 1970, he worked as the senior salesman of a photo store at the Melbourne international airport. Robertson’s career took off in full force when he joined Ted’s Camera Store (Vic) Pty. Ltd. in 1971, and is now in his 39th year of service. Starting as a salesperson, he worked at the sales counter and gradually worked his way up from store manager to area manager, sales manager, and on to general manager. In 1986, the company was sold; and he was made the managing director of the company by the new owners, a position he still holds today. Robertson has served on many PMA boards, and has been an active member of PMA for more 25 years – holding positions of committee president, state committee chairman, TVP, DIMA board member, and is now the Australia national chairman.

Donald Spring Jr. started his wholesale photofinishing business, Cavalcade Color Lab, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada, in the late 1970s, and knew, to survive a rapidly changing industry, he needed to collaborate with other people. Getting involved with PMA was the answer, and PMA has been his guiding light during his 30-plus years in the industry. Spring spent 10 years on the PMA Board and served as PMA president in 2003.Spring has also been the chairman of Foto Source Canada, chairman of the Buck Rogers Group, served on the PMA Minilab Advisory Committee, and has received the Canadian Photo Retailer of the Year award. Outside the industry, as an avid outdoorsman with a keen interest in hiking, canoeing, skiing, and riding his bicycle, Spring is the current chairman of the largest Canadian provincial park. Through his work with Algonquin Park, he is involved with wildlife research involving bears, moose, wolves, and fish.