Memorial services have been announced for the late David Woods, a beloved industry veteran who led the Lee Wayne Company and AIA Corporation (asi/109480) over a 25-year career. Woods passed away on April 26 in Appleton, WI.

“My dad lived a life that was in gratitude for the people who had gone before him and sacrificed for him,” David’s son Ted told Counselor. “When I was a kid, everywhere we went, whether it was a gas station, restaurant or wherever, if my dad was impressed with someone, he would give them his card and say if there’s anything he can ever do, reach out. He said the people who helped him get to where he was in life were mostly dead and gone, so the only thing he could do was to pass it on to the next group of people who needed an opportunity.”

Ted says the people his father worked for and with were truly his family. “The tragedy of losing dad has been difficult for our family, but we’ve received an incredible outpouring of love, devotion and support,” Ted says. “Now that some time has passed, we have an opportunity to celebrate dad and his lasting impact on the industry. In return, so many people have profoundly impacted him and his family by extension.”

A graveside service will be held on August 24 at 1 p.m. at Groton Cemetery on 242 Hollis Street, Groton, MA. A memorial service will follow from 2-5 p.m. at The Barn of Maple Hill Farm at Beaver Brook Association on 117 Ridge Road, Hollis, NH. The Woods family welcomes all to celebrate his life and his memory. A block of rooms is being held at the Hampton Inn in Nashua, NH, for those attending. They are held as the David Woods Memorial.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Woods-Smith Scholarship Fund established at Beaver Brook Association.

Colleagues and friends remember Woods as one of the market’s kindest people, a true gentleman who always made time for others and helped promote the industry with his enthusiasm and many talents. “David was one of the most genuine and caring executives I ever met,” said Tim Andrews, president and CEO of ASI. “We called and corresponded often, and he provided thoughtful advice many, many times. All of us in promo will miss him deeply.”

"David was one in a million and made an impact on all those who knew him." — Matt Gresge, CEO of AIA

Woods, a perennial member of Counselor’s Power 50, served as president and CEO of Lee Wayne and led the firm’s sale to then-called HALO Promotions Products (asi/356000) in 1993. He worked in various leadership roles at HALO, leaving a proud and lasting legacy.

“No person in our industry was more affectionately respected and admired than David,” said HALO CEO Marc Simon. “Well-traveled, well-read, thoughtful and kindly to all, David had the rare ability to connect with all of us in the manner that resonated most with each of us.”

In 2003, Woods made the move to Adventures in Advertising (now AIA). During his 14-year tenure, he transitioned the company from Massachusetts to Wisconsin and nearly doubled the firm’s sales. AIA became a mainstay on Counselor’s Best Places to Work list and achieved a record level of profitability. Woods also led the company through its 2013 acquisition by private investment firm McNally Capital.

“David was one in a million and made an impact on all those who knew him,” said Matt Gresge, CEO of AIA, and Woods’ successor. “We were lucky to have him pave the way for AIA in this industry as our longtime leader. He was a true entrepreneur who took a chance on a company called Adventures in Advertising, which thanks to his vision, would become the strong, thriving corporation that AIA is today. David was a beacon of our industry and helped shape who we are as a company and as individuals. He made an incredible impact on AIA employees and all of the Owners and Suppliers we serve. I have no doubt his legacy will continue to live on through the strong community he built and entrepreneurial spirit he instilled in each of us. Our hearts and thoughts go out to David’s family.”

Woods, who additionally served two terms on the PPAI Board of Directors, retired from AIA in 2016, saying at the time: “I’ve been privileged to lead one of the industry’s greatest companies. After almost 15 years as CEO, 25 years in the promotional products industry and 50 years of professional accomplishment and dedication, the time is right to transfer leadership of AIA to a new generation.”

Woods was the proud father of Stephen, Nick and Ted, a grandfather of six, a lover of life – particularly the Boston Red Sox and fast cars – a philanthropist, leader and friend to many.

For more tributes from industry leaders and veterans, click here.