Remarks from Mark Hatton, SPESA's Immediate Past Chairman

SPESA Member News

Thank you to Mark Hatton, Managing Director of Threads America at American & Efird for serving as SPESA's Chairman. We're grateful for your time, your service, and your strategic insight. Please read below for remarks from Mark Hatton as he passed the gavel to incoming SPESA Chairwoman, Daniella Ambrogi.

To my SPESA friends and family — I hope this year’s Executive Conference offered you a renewed outlook for the future of our industry.

Lately, too many of us — including myself — have spent energy on the challenges that divide us: tariffs, supply chain disruptions, and global uncertainty. But as I reflect, I’m reminded that it is precisely our collective ambition and resilience that will see us through, just as it has time and again. These challenges are not roadblocks — they are simply the next hurdles we, as an industry, will overcome together.

Through the multitude of conversations had and connections made during this year’s event, I hope you found reassurance that we already have what we need. We have the tools. The key is identifying the right problem — and then choosing the right tool. A screw needs a screwdriver, a nail needs a hammer, and yes, sometimes we need the leverage of a crowbar. But whatever the challenge, within this community we have the solutions — or we have friends who do.

Of course, we will continue to petition our administration for the recognition and support our vital industry deserves. But in the meantime, let’s not underestimate the power in our own hands. Let’s lean on one another, share openly, and lead with confidence. Together, we can take control of our destiny.

Several decades ago — four, to be exact — I was growing up less than 20 miles from where this year’s Executive Conference took place, on the North Shore of Chicago. I never could have imagined then that I would one day be part of such a dynamic and transformative industry — one that would gather so close to my childhood home — under such unique and exciting circumstances.

I am thrilled to welcome Daniella as my successor to the SPESA chairpersonship.  Her creative, dynamic, and energetic approach will be paramount to the needed evolution of our association and industry. Daniella - I am your biggest fan and look forward to supporting you however I can. You will do great.  

To all of you — my friends, my colleagues, my SPESA family — I wish you the very best and look forward to continuing my support for SPESA as immediate Past Chairman.