PUNCH HANDS OVER ASGA BATON TO NIELSEN

Long-time Asga office bearer Michael Punch, has retired from his active roles with the association, handing over his duties to Damian Nielsen.

Nielsen has 30 years’ experience in the signage industry, and has recently stepped aside from his role as general manager of CV Media. He says he is now planning to balance his consulting work through INbrandigo with opportunities to give back to the industry.

Mick Harrold, Asga president, said Punch’s retirement marks the ‘end of an era’ for Asga, with the former general manager and current membership and events manager playing a ‘pivotal role’ across many years.

Harrold said, “Virtually every one of our members will know Michael by name, and have positive memories of the many conversations and interactions they’ve had with him over the years.

“In many ways, he has been the face of the Asga, and the things we have achieved over the past few years are in no small part due to his dedication.

“There will be more to say in the near future about Michael and his contribution to Asga, but suffice to say there are few people, in any industry association, who have demonstrated the kind of commitment to members and to his industry that Michael has done, and we are fortunate to have had his contribution for such a long time.”

Punch’s current role as membership and events manager will be taken up by Nielsen, who is the creative director of his Queensland consulting company INbrandigo. As well as holding the vice presidency of the Asga for the past five years he is the association’s Queensland chair, and also sits on its Education Committee.

Neilsen started with work experience with an apprenticeship, where he learned everything from brushwork through to fabrication and installation.

“There’s no question I have very big shoes to fill, but it’s exciting to be taking on these responsibilities at such an exciting time for the Association”, said Nielsen.

“I am delighted to be stepping into this new role and very much looking forward to connecting with all our members over the coming months as we continue to roll out a busy programme of webinars, events and other initiatives to support their businesses and the wider industry.”