GREENWICH, CONN., June 6, 2006– The American Pet Products Association (APPA) has promoted Anne Ferrante to Senior Director of Member Relations and Business Development, and Rose Rigano has been promoted to Manager of Member Relations and Business Development.  As part of these promotions and to more accurately depict the services it provides, APPA’s Member Services department has been renamed Member Relations and Business Development.

As Senior Director of Member Relations and Business Development, Anne Ferrante is responsible for member relations, business development programs and benefits packages, membership recruitment, development of the APPA National Pet Owners Survey and the design and implementation of educational conferences.    

Ferrante has more than 8 years tenure with APPA and has been instrumental in growing the Association’s membership from 300 in 1998 to over 900 companies presently. Additionally, Ferrante has played an integral role in adding international members to the roster with over 100 international companies currently as APPA members. Other new membership categories that have been added under Ferrante’s direction include manufacturers’ representatives and livestock suppliers.

Ferrante has helped establish the Association’s National Pet Owners Survey as a global resource for all segments of the pet industry and for media around the world. Other career accomplishments during her time at APPA include increasing the availability and usage of the Association’s export and import programs, development of international trade missions, a revitalization and expansion of APPA’s Management Conference and educational seminars, and increasing member benefits to include insurance and shipping solution programs.

Prior to joining APPA, Ferrante was the Associate Director for the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA.  Anne earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in Communications and Psychology from Fairfield University in Connecticut. She is a member of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and the New York Society of Association Executives (NYSAE). 

For nearly 12 years, Rose Rigano has served as APPA’s Membership Coordinator and has now been promoted to Manager of Member Relations and Business Development.  Rigano is responsible for assisting with all aspects of membership recruitment and retention activities, managing and maintaining APPA’s extensive membership database as well as assisting with membership benefit planning and implementation. Additionally, she assists with domestic and international trade show preparations, facilitates on-site registration at Global Pet Expo and aids exhibitors and buyers with the international attendance process.

Prior to joining APPA, Rigano served as an Administrative Assistant to the Director of Residence Life at Manhattanville College in Purchase, New York.  Her responsibilities included the management of all operational procedures of the department, coordination of summer school/summer conference housing and all aspects of Resident Assistant recruitment/selection.  Rigano also assisted other college offices in the implementation of a multi-million dollar student housing renovation program.  

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The American Pet Products Manufacturer's Association (APPA) is the leading not-for-profit trade association serving the interests of the pet products industry since 1958.  APPA membership includes nearly 900 pet product manufacturers, their representatives, importers and livestock suppliers representing both large corporations and growing business enterprises.  APPA's mission is to promote, develop and advance pet ownership and the pet product industry and to provide the services necessary to help its members prosper. Visit www.americanpetproducts.org for more information.