Paul Nielsen (right), Brainard-Nielsen Marketing, Inc., received the ERA Key Award at the association’s 2017 Conference, held in Austin, Texas. The award was presented by Dan Parks, ERA president.
At its 48th Management and Marketing Conference, held in Austin, Texas, February 26-28, the Electronics Representatives Association (ERA) presented the ERA Key Award to its outgoing chairman of the board, Paul Nielsen, CPMR, of Brainard-Nielsen Marketing, Inc. The award honors an individual for volunteer service to ERA above and beyond “the call of duty.”
ERA President Dan Parks, CPMR, of West Electronic Sales made the surprise presentation to Nielsen in recognition of his 12 years of service on the Executive Committee and as ERA President and Chairman. Parks said, “Paul is one of the most generous in the business when it comes to sharing ideas that have worked for him — and those that haven’t. He has participated in many ERA conferences and Chicagoland-Wisconsin Chapter programs, and is always a “draw” because other reps want to learn from him. His commitment to ERA has been exceptional, and I personally have been very fortunate to be mentored by him as an association leader.”
The Key Award is one of ERA’s most prestigious, and it has been given to only 36 individuals in the association’s 82-year history. The award is inscribed, “To Paul Nielsen: This ERA Key Award is presented in recognition and deep appreciation of your outstanding leadership as a Senior Vice President, President and Chairman of ERA since 2005 and for your invaluable contributions in advancing the best interests of association members and the electronics industry.”
Nielsen thanked ERA for the recognition and added, “My time working with ERA is probably the smartest thing I’ve done professionally. I’ve learned a lot and met some great people whom I will count as friends long after my career is over.”
About ERA
The 82-year-old Electronics Representatives Association (ERA) is the international trade organization for professional field sales companies in the global electronics industries, manufacturers who go to market through representative firms and global distributors. It is the mission of ERA to support the professional field sales function through programs and activities that educate, inform and advocate for manufacturers’ representatives, the principals they represent and the distributors who are reps’ partners in local territories. ERA member representative firms (often called “reps”) provide field sales services on an exclusive basis to manufacturers of related (but non-competing) products in a defined territory. For more information about ERA, visit era.org.
