RMDMA was formed 22 years ago, in 1980, when Ed Colligan, who is still an active member of RMDMA, moved to Colorado from southern California. At the time, Ed was asked to serve as the area liaison with the National DMA (then called the DM/MA--the Direct Mail Marketing Association). Having agreed, Ed suddenly found his name listed in a directory under "clubs"!

So, Ed gathered others that had shown an interest...at first, six came. A few months later an organizational meeting was held, with good response. The first newsletter of the "club" was published in January of 1981 by Editor Donna Furman (also still an active member of the association). Tim Prunk and Sharon (Beem) Curtis were also instrumental in helping to shape the organization in that first crucial year.

September of 1980 was the club's first formal meeting with a featured speaker (Eileen Rhudy-Sonheim of Market Compilation & Research Bureau). The first year also found RMDMA sponsoring such other notable speakers as: Jim Prendergast of Prendergast & Associates, Jock Bickert of National Demographics &Lifestyles, Bob Hodes of Ogilivy & Mather Direct, Sally Shumaker of AT&T Telemarketing, Shell Alpert, and Phil Wiland of Wiland & Associates. Past presidents of RMDMA include: John Wren (first president), Kent Hunter, John McKenzie, Todd Bacon, Diana Lee Crew, Susan Fantle, Lauren O'Connell, Nancy Arnold, Lora Petcoff, Rick Schultz, Sabrina Steeves, Tim Prunk, David Ariss, Jim Morris, Ron Kahan, Debra Jason, Tom Farrell, Kara Good and Patty Taylor. Our current president is John Shilgalis.

Over the years, thanks in part to valuable input from our members, numerous changes have shaped RMDMA into the exciting organization that it is today.

• Our by-laws were originally formed in 1983, subsequently revised in 2002, and adopted by the Board.
• Incorporation of RMDMA took place in 1986, and the name was changed from "club" to "association".
• The association now has a paid executive director and a part-time administrative assistant.