Andy Keimach to Serve as Interim President & Chief Executive of The Toy Association™, Effective Jan. 1

January 1, 2024 — The Toy Association™ announced today that as planned, Andy Keimach has transitioned to the role of interim president & chief executive of The Toy Association. The Toy Association’s former president & chief executive Steve Pasierb has transitioned to the role of senior advisor to the president and chairperson.

A veteran of the toy industry, Keimach was president of VTech Electronics North America, the largest international subsidiary of Hong Kong-based VTech Electronics, from 2018 to 2023. Previously, he was president of Munchkin, Inc., one of the world’s leading product brands for babies and children. Under his leadership, these organizations achieved record-breaking success, driving sales, profits through strategic growth, exceptional customer business development, territory expansion, acquisitions, and significant supply chain improvements. Keimach has served two terms on The Toy Association’s Board of Directors, most recently holding the position of secretary-treasurer. In addition to his board positions at The Toy Association, he was previously a two-time board chair of the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association.

In his new role at The Toy Association, Keimach will lead the globally focused industry organization and its hundreds of members, which include manufacturers, retailers, licensors, and others involved in the toy and youth entertainment industry. From the Association’s global government and regulatory affairs programs – which include advocacy for industry related issues at the state, federal, and international levels; to its world-renowned Toy Fair in New York City and plans for a Toy Association-hosted marketplace in Los Angeles this fall; to the Association’s actionable research, resources, and education programs that help the toy community thrive, Keimach will oversee all activities of The Toy Association and uphold its mission to support and foster toy industry growth while championing the benefits of play for kids and kids-at-heart.

“As a leader, change agent, and creative problem-solver, Andy has demonstrated strong communication, negotiation, and collaboration skills throughout his career to improve organizational performance and effectively manage corporate change,” said Aaron Muderick, chair of The Toy Association’s Board of Directors and founder & executive chairman of Crazy Aaron’s. “Under his leadership, his teams at both VTech and Munchkin were recognized with awards from Target, Walmart, Toys“R”Us, and Babies“R”Us, and he became known for transforming underperforming sales operations, creating actionable roadmaps, building strategies, and establishing cultures of excellence all while empowering teams to deliver world-class performance.”

Keimach recently founded Eights Consulting Group, leveraging his deep experience to provide customer business development strategy and execution, leadership coaching, corporate transition support, and China sourcing expertise to companies in the consumer goods-related industries. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of Maryland and a certification from Harvard Business School’s Strategic IQ leadership training program.

During Pasierb’s tenure, the organization rebranded, launched pioneering digital offerings, achieved its aggressive strategic goals, won three-time honors as one of “America’s Best Nonprofits to Work For,” and effectively delivered on all member value services during three years of pandemic upheaval that forced the cancellation of major trade shows. The Association made a successful return to marketplace events in 2022 in Dallas, with the 2023 return of iconic international trade show Toy Fair®, and in current efforts to provide support to its members in Los Angeles.

“Steve’s many contributions to the toy and play industry since joining The Toy Association in 2015 made a significant positive impact in our essential North America responsibilities and in expanding the association’s regulatory and legislative influence on an international scale,” Muderick continued. “His commitment and leadership is further exemplified by his dedication to crafting a successful transition working with Andy and the professional staff over the coming months as we search for a long-term successor.”