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APS Welcomes New Director of Technology and Innovation

The APS is pleased to welcome its new Director of Technology and Innovation, Stephanie Katz. Stephanie is an interdisciplinary thinker and strategist with 15 years of experience managing digital projects, developing data analytics dashboards, and leading website search engine optimization (SEO) initiatives. Her career spans roles with the federal government, museums and cultural organizations, and a marketing agency serving Fortune 500 clients. Most recently, she worked for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Atmospheric Protection, where she led Microsoft 365 tool implementation and analytics efforts. Her contributions were recognized with multiple agency awards for driving impact, improving team efficiency, and leading the adoption of modernization efforts.

“We’re very excited for Stephanie to join us,” said Executive Director Kirk Gillis. “Her strong analytical skills and proven experience in digital strategy, SEO, and project management will be crucial as we embark on a comprehensive digital transformation of the APS.”

As a Fulbright Predoctoral Research Scholar, Stephanie supported a digital transformation initiative at Spain’s Prado Museum, one of the most visited museums in the world. Earlier in her career, she spent several years working internationally in South America as an educator and bilingual interpreter. She also served as an instructional designer for the University of Queensland’s satellite campus in northern Chile.

Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Arts from Hampshire College, a Master of Science in Arts Administration, Museum Leadership, and Marketing from Drexel University, and a certificate in Women’s Entrepreneurship from Cornell University. She is currently a volunteer with the U.S. Digital Response and contributes her time to several mission-driven organizations in her local community.

Welcome aboard, Stephanie!

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AFDCS Names Trevor Bills Membership Chair

The American First Day Cover Society has chosen Trevor Bills of Texas to chair its Membership Department. The Board of Directors unanimously confirmed the appointment.

Bills, who holds a Public Service and Administration master’s degree from Texas A&M and an MBA from Angelo State University, is an alumnus of the American Philatelic Society’s Young Philatelic Leadership Fellowship. At Angelo State, he was student body president. The 23-year-old served an apprenticeship in Marketing and Logistical Operations at a vineyard and lists Digital Marketing as one of his skills. In addition to the AFDCS, he is also a member of the APS, the American Topical Association, Postmark Collectors Club, Ebony Society of Philatelic Experiences and Reflections, and the American Ceremony Program Society. He also has reported on first-day ceremonies for Linn’s Stamp News.

He has produced cachets under the name Trevor’s Covers for occasional first-days and space and special events, winning honors in the annual AFDCS cachetmaking contest.

The AFDCS Membership Department is responsible for recruitment, membership renewals, and chapter memberships, although the actual record-keeping is performed by the Executive Secretary. The Chair of the Membership Department is a member of the Executive Committee, which meets throughout the year in-person and via the internet.

“I am honored to step into the role of Membership Chair and look forward to contributing to the continued growth of our organization,” Bills said. “I look forward to fostering stronger connections among members and welcoming new individuals to our community.”

The American First Day Cover Society is a not-for-profit educational organization. It publishes its bimonthly award-winning journal First Days as well as handbooks and catalogues and maintains a YouTube channel. The AFDCS also promotes the collecting of both modern and “classic” issues and cachets, as well as exhibiting FDCs. It offers awards for outstanding first day cover exhibits and an annual contest for cachetmakers, and is a co-host of the annual Great American Stamp Show.

AFDCS officers are not compensated for their services or travel and only receive reimbursement for some expenses.

For more information about the AFDCS, visit www.afdcs.org, e-mail afdcs@afdcs.org or write the AFDCS at Post Office Box 57, Somerset, WI 54025-0057.

Eight members are running for the four open seats on the American First Day Cover Society’s 2025 election, only three of whom are incumbents. The ballots are now in the mail to members.

The winners of the election will serve three-year terms, beginning January 1, 2026. In addition, the fifth-place finisher will immediately join the Board to fill a vacancy caused by a resignation. Directors and officers receive no compensation for their service and are not reimbursed for expenses related to serving on the Board.

The election is only being conducted by mail; there is no online voting. Because of Pandemic-related problems, the first separate election mailing was distributed in 2020, and turnout was so much better than in previous elections that the AFDCS decided to continue the practice.

The candidates are Steven Ripley, an event and emergency coordinator from Florida; Shirley Ulling from California, a school transportation worker before retirement; Walter Douglas George, a retired supermarket executive from Massachusetts; Chris Calle, a professional artist who lives in Connecticut; Bobby Liao, retired software executive from California; Lloyd de Vries of New Jersey, a retired broadcast journalist; Jim Tatum, a former television and film professional; and Michael Moticha from California, a career Army officer. Tatum, de Vries and Moticha are incumbents.

After the results of the board election are known, the Directors will choose officers for the next calendar year — president, executive vice president, first vice president, treasurer and recording secretary — as well as a chair of the Board.

The American First Day Cover Society is a not-for-profit educational organization. In addition to its journal First Days, the AFDCS also publishes handbooks and catalogues, and promotes the collecting of both modern and “classic” issues and cachets, as well as exhibiting FDCs. It offers awards for outstanding first day cover exhibits and an annual contest for cachetmakers, and is a co-host of the annual Great American Stamp Show.

For more information about the AFDCS, visit www.afdcs.org, e-mail afdcs@afdcs.org or write the AFDCS at Post Office Box 57, Somerset, WI 54025-0057.

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Self-nominations are now open for the Board of Directors of the American First Day Cover Society, the largest not-for-profit FDC organization in the world. Each year, the membership of the AFDCS elects four people to serve on its board for three-year terms.

Those running for the board must be members in good standing and are expected to submit a statement of no more than 300 words and a photo. There is no other “qualifying process” for nominations: No 10-member petitions, minimum tenure in the AFDCS, nor the ability to recite cachet catalogue numbers from memory. Reasonable proficiency with email is expected.

Once elected, Directors are expected to attend the one in-person meeting a year (held at the convention) and ad hoc online meetings, participate in email discussions and vote electronically on matters that come before the board. The candidates are announced at Americover, the annual convention (held this year in conjunction with Great American Stamp Show) and the ballot and their statements are mailed to members in the fall. The terms begin on January 1.

Mark Gereb of New Jersey is chairing the AFDCS 2025 Nominating Committee, aided by Tris Fall of Pennsylvania and John Peterson of California. Those wish to run, or who would like more information, should contact Mark at rec.sec@afdcs.org.

The AFDCS Board of Directors consists of 12 elected members, plus three ex-officio members: the president, editor, and general counsel. (The Society’s complete bylaws are available at www.afdcs.net/bylaws). Directors are not compensated in any way for serving on the board, although they may receive reimbursement for expenses not related to serving on the board or attending meetings.

The American First Day Cover Society is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) educational organization, established in 1955. It publishes the award-winning bimonthly journal First Days, as well as handbooks and catalogues, maintains a YouTube channel, and promotes the collecting of both modern and “classic” issues and cachets, as well as the exhibiting of FDCs.

For more information about the AFDCS, visit www.afdcs.org, e-mail afdcs@afdcs.org or write the AFDCS at Post Office Box 57, Somerset, WI 54025-0057.

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APS Names Executive Director
Kirk Gillis to be Eighth Executive Director of the Society

The American Philatelic Society announced today the hiring of Kirk Gillis to be the eighth Executive Director of the Society. A seasoned leader with over two decades of experience in strategic growth across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, Kirk brings a dynamic track record of innovation and impact. Most recently, he served as Deputy Associate Director and Chief Sales and Marketing Officer for the U.S. Mint, where he led brand strategy, product development, e-commerce, and customer service for the numismatic and bullion programs. Under his leadership, the Mint’s numismatic business grew by 50 percent over four years.

Gillis will assume the leadership role on July 14, 2025. He replaces outgoing Executive Director Scott English, who announced his departure in November 2024, completing almost ten years in the role. The APS Board of Directors established a Search Committee in November 2024, with outgoing President Cheryl Ganz serving as Chair.

“Kirk’s joining the APS as Executive Director will further our mission to serve the philatelic community,” added incoming APS President Mark Banchik. “He brings skills and insights which will allow the APS to remain at the forefront of our hobby.” Banchik, who also served on the Search Committee, will take over as APS President at the Great American Stamp Show in August.

Kirk’s background also includes launching and scaling successful digital ventures in East Africa, including ZoomTanzania and PinPoint Africa Media, which served major global brands. Earlier in his career, he helped establish the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, directing a national outreach campaign to grow outdoor participation in the U.S. A Navy veteran with degrees from Texas A&M University and the University of Rhode Island, Kirk brings a global perspective and entrepreneurial spirit to lead the APS into its next chapter.

On taking the lead at the APS, Gillis added, “I hope to draw from these experiences as I engage the philatelic community in a collaborative strategic planning process that will grow membership and ensure a vibrant future for the APS and philately overall.”

English will remain at the APS through a transition period ending at the Great American Stamp Show in Schaumburg, Illinois.

About Kirk
Kirk Gillis is an entrepreneurial leader with over 20 years of experience in planning, executing, and optimizing highly integrated growth strategies for organizations across the private, nonprofit, and government sectors.

Most recently, Kirk served as Deputy Associate Director and Chief Sales and Marketing Officer for the United States Mint, where he was responsible for brand management, sales and marketing strategy, product development, e-commerce operations, and customer service for the numismatic and bullion business lines. With a focus on customer acquisition and revenue growth, he oversaw a $80 million budget. He led a team of 60 employees, achieving an overall 50% growth in the Mint’s numismatic business over four years.

Before joining the Mint, Kirk successfully founded, scaled, and exited two digital businesses in East Africa. In 2008, he launched ZoomTanzania, an award-winning horizontal classifieds and e-commerce platform. In 2012, he opened the doors to PinPoint Africa Media, a full-service marketing agency that provided creative services, digital strategy, website development, and media planning to multinational brands operating in East Africa, including Tigo, Toyota, Barclays Bank, Coca-Cola, Samsung, Diageo, and others.

Before entering the business world, Kirk served as a founding member of the leadership team that launched the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation (RBFF), a 501(c)(3) organization funded through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. As the Marketing and Communications Director, Kirk led the development and execution of a national marketing and outreach strategy to increase participation in recreational fishing and boating in the United States.

Kirk earned his master’s degree from Texas A&M University and his undergraduate degree from the University of Rhode Island. He is also a proud veteran of the United States Navy.

Gillis’ LinkedIn profile is here.