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LaRocca Joins Reeves

Bob LaRocca has joined Reeves International as national sales manager for Reeves’ independent and specialty channels of distribution. LaRocca will head up the management of Reeves’ specialty sales organizations, as well as be responsible for the overall performance of the specialty toy and gift channels.

LaRocca has been in sales for the consumer goods industry for more than 20 years, most recently at Small World Toys.

Handmade Toy Alliance Announces Board

The Handmade Toy Alliance (HTA) has announced its board of directors for the 2011–2012 year. The HTA achieved nonprofit status in 2009, and has a board of directors consisting of nine members.

Dan Marshall, HTA founder and co-owner of Peapods Natural Toys and Baby Care, will serve as president for the upcoming session. Marshall served as vice-president during the 2010–2011 year. Randy Hertzler, owner of euroSource, LLC, an online specialty European toy store, takes on the role of vice-president. Jolie Fay continues for a second year as secretary. Fay is the owner and designer of Skipping Hippos, vintage-inspired outerwear. Mary Newell continues in the role of treasurer, which she has held since the HTA’s inception. Owner of Terrapin Toys, she is the maker of Mary’s Softdough.

Continuing their service to the HTA are founding board members Jill Chuckas, the owner of Crafty Baby. Rob Wilson, vice-president of Challenge & Fun and founder of CPSIA-Central, a web forum devoted to discussing all aspects of the CPSIA and Cecilia Leibovitz, founder and creative director of Craftsbury Kids, Inc.

Marianne Mullen joined the board last year and is the founder and owner of Polkadot Patch Boutique. Adam Frost joins the board this year and is the owner of The Wooden Wagon.

The HTA was formed in November of 2008 in response to the CPSIA, and consists of 645 member businesses, including retail stores, toymakers, and children’s product manufacturers from across the country who want to preserve consumer access to unique handmade toys, clothes, and all manner of small batch children’s goods in the U.S.

For more information, visit www.handmadetoyalliance.org.