AIA Corporation (asi/109480), the tenth-largest distributor in the North American promotional products industry, has a new top technology executive.

The Appleton, WI-headquartered firm announced that Christopher Alfano is now senior vice president of business technology. His charge is to lead technology strategy and implementation, the ultimate aim of which is to help make AIA affiliate-owners more successful.

Christopher Alfano, AIA Corporation

Reporting directly to AIA CEO Nancy Schmidt, Alfano will also be responsible for enterprise security and vendor management, while serving as a tech resource to AIA owners.

“Transformative technology is the future of our business and this industry,” said Schmidt. “AIA owners need flexible solutions that adapt to meet the needs and demands of the clients and verticals they serve. Christopher brings the technology vision and business acumen needed to further strengthen our tech stack and position AIA and its owners for future success.”

Alfano’s experience includes nearly nine years in executive technology leadership at Top 40 supplier Vantage Apparel (asi/93390). There his roles included chief technology officer and director of information technology. Other experience includes being global corporate information technology manager at Lipo Chemicals Inc. and corporate information technology manager at Ruger Chemical.

“I’m excited to join the team here at AIA,” said Alfano. “I look forward to working with AIA owners and helping them expand their businesses by enhancing our technology offerings, establishing new partnerships and delivering best-in-class technology solutions.”

AIA’s Sharon Zarter will remain in her position as vice president of business technology at the distributorship. “Christopher will be joining forces with Sharon to continue to enhance and evolve AIA’s technology solutions,” noted Schmidt. “It'll be a powerful team working in harmony to serve AIA’s owner community.” 

With reported 2019 North American promotional product revenue of $210.7 million, AIA Corporation ranked 10^th on Counselor’s most recent list of the largest distributors in the industry. The new list is due out in July 2021.