The American Marketing Association has named Robert B. Mackay of Vancouver as chairperson of the board-elect for 1993-94.

The appointment marks only the second time in the Chicago-based ama’s 55-year history that a Canadian has risen to the top of the organization.

Mackay, who is the ama’s vice-president, finance-secretary, is associate counsel for the law firm Russell & DuMoulin.

ama President Jeffrey Heilbrunn calls Mackay a ‘visionary.’

Heilbrunn says Mackay ‘brings to the association his strong marketing management background, along with a special presence that unites people in a mutual goal – to do their best for the ama.’

Mackay joined the ama in 1960 as a student and became president of the b.c. chapter in 1977.

From 1985-87, he was on the international board of directors as Canadian regional vice-president, and was on the board as vice-president of the Consumer Marketing Division from 1990-92.

In his professional capacity, he practises exclusively in the areas of marketing, advertising and competition law.

Mackay is involved with numerous groups and associations related to the legal and marketing professions.

He is a founding member, director and vice-president of the West Coast chapter of the National Benevolent Society.

The ama has more than 54,000 members.