Associations

NORTHBROOK, Ill. — Hilco Trading has named Gary Epstein as chief marketing officer for the company. Epstein will be responsible for Hilco’s overall marketing strategy and execution, branding, market research, etc. across all of the operating companies. Epstein will be taking over the role from Rick Kaye, who has held the position for more than 10 years and will remain with the organization as an EVP until January 2013.

SKOKIE, Ill. — Topco Associates announced that Andrew Broccolo has joined the company as general counsel. In this new position Broccolo, 46, will report directly to Topco president and CEO Randy Skoda.

“I’m thrilled that Andy is now part of our leadership team,” Skoda said. “Andy will be instrumental in helping Topco effectively manage risk while also providing sound legal advice that assists us in driving our day-to-day business of delivering value to the association’s 52 members.”

New York -- White House officials have agreed to meet with members of the retail industry to discuss issues associated with implementation of the health reform law, responding to the industry's July 2 letter urging the administration to immediately release “long overdue” regulations that would allow employers to move forward on the law's requirements.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Retail Industry Leaders Association is urging President Obama and his administration to release proposed healthcare regulations that will affect nearly 170 million Americans currently receiving employer-sponsored health coverage.

Goodwill Industries of Arkansas received a $350,000 grant this week thanks to the Walmart Foundation and the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G.

Goodwill is the primary charitable beneficiary of this year’s Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G, which got underway this week amid triple digit temperatures at the Pinnacle Country Club in Rogers, Ark. The funds the organization received will be used to support a program called Providing Opportunities for Women through Education and Resources (POWER).

ARLINGTON, Va. — Texas joins eight other states in taking legislative action requiring online-only retailers, notably Amazon.com, to collect sales tax. Online retailers will have to collect sales tax in Texas beginning July 1.

Arlington, Va. --Texas joins eight other states in taking legislative action requiring online-only retailers, notably Amazon.com, to collect sales tax. Online retailers will have to collect sales tax in Texas beginning July 1.

Arlington, Va. -- The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) gave voice to concerns after Thursday's Supreme Court ruling that  upheld the individual-mandate within the Affordable Care Act.

“With the Supreme Court decision now behind us, the focus must turn to the employer-mandate and the effect that impending changes to employer-sponsored coverage will have on the nearly 170 million Americans who receive health care through their employer,” said RILA president Sandy Kennedy.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court has given the government permission to tax people for not having health insurance, essentially approving the individual mandate in President Obama's healthcare law.

“The Affordable Care Act's requirement that certain individuals pay a financial penalty for not obtaining health insurance may reasonably characterized as a tax. Because the Constitution permits such a tax, it is not our role to forbid it, or to pass upon its wisdom or fairness,” the court said in the ruling.

NEW YORK — The International Licensing Industry Merchandisers' Association has named Maura Regan, SVP, general manager for global consumer products at Sesame Workshop, chairperson of the board.  She had previously served as vice chairperson.

The board also announced the following changes:
 

• Rick Van Brimmer, director trademark and licensing services for The Ohio State University, was elected as LIMA’s vice chairman.  He formerly was a member of LIMA’s board.