George Kenneth (Ken) Fullerton 1922-2009
With great sadness we report the passing of industry great, Ken Fullerton, who died of natural causes at his home in La Canada, CA, on April 12, 2009, surrounded by family. He was 86 years old and was best known as the sales genius behind the iconic Glendale, CA drafting supply giant, Fullerton Sales.
In 1946, after completing his war service in the navy, Ken joined the family business where he and his two brothers Jack, and Dick shaped and reshaped this dynamic business at the heart of the booming post-war industrial America. Ken was the consummate sales ambassador for Fullerton, where he led the company to the top rung of our nation’s drafting supply industry. Always known as a ladies’ man, bon vivant and terrific dancer, Ken was in fact the doting husband to Dorie, who sadly died a few years back. They were an amazing team!
In 1987, MacPherson’s acquired Fullerton Sales and we were lucky to have Ken represent us for 10 glorious years. There was no better friend or ally in business. Shed no tears for Ken; instead, he would have insisted that in his honor we all tell a spicy joke, lift a strong cocktail and say a toast to the joys of a life well lived.
Services will be held at La Canada Presbyterian Church, 626 Foothill Blvd. at 2 p.m. on April 23, 2009. The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to Roze Room Hospice of the Valley who made their lives a lot easier with all their help and support.
At Sanford, Ben Goss has been named Senior Brand Manager for Prismacolor. Ben has worked in marketing positions with Sanford North America’s Everyday Writing Instruments Business Team over the past two years. Prior to that Ben worked various Brand Marketing positions for Sanford-Australia.
Henry Meininger reports that the American Artist Magazine “Weekend with the Masters” event will be held in Colorado Springs September 9th through the 13th. There will be a huge lineup of workshops. Meininger’s, the official art supply retailer at the event, will be setting up a “shop” in the convention hall. Check out the event web site: Weekend with the Masters
Kat Logan, owner of Maine Street Art in Brunswick, ME has announced the closing of her store. She will soon be opening a studio/gallery in Friendship, ME called Maine Coast Art. Her new business website will be located at www.mainecoastartist.com.
A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts Inc. announced the resignation of vice president and chief financial officer Michael G. Zawoysky, effective April 24th. Mr. Zawoysky will pursue a career opportunity in the private equity sector, the company said in a statement. A replacement was not named. The company said it will conduct a search for a new CFO.
Encouraged by the initial success of its improved consumer web site, WhereCreativityHappens, Michaels is re-launching the site with designer Jo Pearson in seven new webisodes, each featuring step-by-step instructions for designing one-of-a-kind jewelry, updating outdoor entertaining spaces, etc. Visit www.WhereCreativityHappens.com to check it out. “Our customers are telling us that they want to spend more time on do-it-yourself projects not only to save money but as an inexpensive activity the whole family can enjoy,” said Michaels Chief Marketing Officer Stuart Aitken. “We will introduce a series of new webisodes in 2009, along with in-store events and hundreds of project ideas, to provide inspiration and value to our customers.”
Masterpiece Canvas reports that their VP of Marketing, Donna Wilson has left to pursue another career opportunity.
Just for Fun: The multi-talented Lance Blayney’s day job is MacPherson’s Assistant Warehouse Manager in our Reno DC. He pens a comic strip in our company newsletter, the MacMessenger, called Brushes. Check it out!
