Rick Herman; President

rherman@lhbma.com, x109

Rick has promotional product sales running through his blood.  He is part of the second generation of his family involved in the promotional products industry and he has been providing creative ideas and programs to clients for nearly 30 years.  Rick got his start working for his father at the former Incentives for Industry, an industry leading distributor founded in the 1960s and based in Toledo, Ohio.  Rick’s tenure at IFI spanned 17 years, culminating in his holding positions as President and CEO.  In 1998 Rick and his father sold IFI.  But, his retirement didn’t last long.  In 1999 the itch was back and Rick purchased the RE Etchen Co., a small Toledo distributorship.  In 2003 he merged the Etchen Co. with a distributor in Minnesota, forming what is now known as LightHouse Branding and Merchandising Agency. In 2006, with the addition of sales and support staff, headquarters and fulfillment operations were consolidated in Toledo.

A graduate of Arizona State University with a degree in Business Administration, Rick’s success in the industry is based on his undying desire to serve the customer and provide quality, targeted products that fulfill their marketing goals and needs.  The depth of industry knowledge and insight Rick brings to the table is truly an asset to all LightHouse customers.

Rick’s finds most of his inspiration on the golf course.  An avid golfer, he can be found most summer weekends soaking up the sun and challenging his partners on the links.  When not on the course, Rick is a die-hard sports fan and enjoys watching a wide range of sporting events with friends and family.

David Berland; Senior Vice-President, Sales & Marketing

dberland@lhbma.com, x115

David is a 16 year veteran of the promotional advertising industry and has been involved with LightHouse Brands since the Fall of 2008. Prior to partnering with LightHouse Brands, David ran his own successful distributorship for 15 years, specializing in working with small to mid-size businesses and non-profit organizations. His areas of expertise are in product sourcing and design/imprint. Printing is in his blood, thanks to his grandfather that started a printing company in Chicago in 1929. David spent 5 years in production management in the printing industry in the late 1980s and early 90s that gave him a strong base of knowledge of different imprint processes and how to maximize imprinting for greatest impact.

David has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is involved in many professional and charitable organizations, and currently serves on the boards of the Sylvania Rotary Club, the Sylvania Area Community Improvement Corporation, the Sylvania Academic Excellence Foundation and Congregation Shomer Emunim. He is also a member of the Greater Toledo Convention and Tourism Bureau, the Special Events Association of NW Ohio, Sylvania Area Chamber of Commerce and is actively involved in a local chapter of Business Network International and the Advertising Club of Toledo.

David and his wife have called Sylvania, Ohio home for the past 16 years and have two children and a dog named Miley. When not working to fulfill his clients every wishes, David enjoys many outdoor activities with his family, including biking, swimming, playing ball and cruising the lakes on their jet skis. David is an avid sports fan, cheering on his Wisconsin Badgers and all Chicago sports teams.

Mike Kennedy; Senior Vice President, Business Development

mkennedy@lhbma.com, x156

He sold his first T-shirt order as a freshman in college, and has been in the apparel and promotional marketing business for over 20 years. Prior to joining LightHouse 7 years ago, Mike owned a screen printing, embroidery and apparel company, as well as managed domestic and overseas custom manufacturing programs. Mike, based in the Minneapolis, MN. area, attended High School at St. Thomas Academy and graduated from St. John’s University with a BS in Economics.

Mike was recently awarded “Supplier of the Year” from Buca di Beppo, a National Restaurant company. He specializes in out-servicing and out-hustling the competition.

When not looking for his next project, Mike and two sons Charlie and Sam, and yellow Lab Jake, enjoy boating on the St. Croix River and are big Minnesota Wild and Minnesota Twins fans.