Drake Appointed To Head NARDA

Staff -- TWICE, 1/8/2004

LOMBARD, ILL. — Thomas Drake has been named president/CEO of the North American Retail Dealers Association (NARDA), replacing Elly Valas, who will be leaving the organization right after CES.

Drake will be responsible for implementing NARDA's strategic plan and vision, marketing NARDA membership to the industry and representing the interests of retailers within and outside the industry.

His previous position was as senior VP of consumer brands at Edelman, one of the world's largest public relations agencies. Drake also spent 11 years at the National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA), an international retail trade association, where he was sales and marketing VP and oversaw events, programs and services designed to assist retailers in managing their businesses.

He will be representing NARDA this week at CES along with Valas.