Advisory Council voting is Now Open!
Each year, PBA Distributor Members can elect two (2) members to the Advisory Council.
Each Advisory Council has six representatives, and the terms are for three years. Two of these representatives' terms will expire on August 31, 2023. The
newly elected representatives will join their Council to represent the members-at-large of their membership section.
As set forth in the bylaws, the Advisory Council established a nominating committee to develop a slate of candidates for
your consideration. Members were notified of the opportunity to be considered as a candidate of the Advisory Council via the PBA website, social media, and email communications. The Nominating Committee considered each applicant's experience and skillset
and is confident the final candidates are highly qualified to be part of your Advisory Council.
Read the candidate bios below and click VOTE NOW to submit your votes. Choose TWO nominees from those listed below.
Votes must be submitted by May 15, 2023.
AARON KAKAN
Salon Backbar – Canoga Park, CA
PBA Member Company since 2010
After graduating from Law school in 2008, the Great Recession had just begun, and Aaron was unable to get a job in the legal profession. Needing to earn money, Aaron started selling professional beauty products to salons and barbershops from the trunk of his car.
Aaron’s mom’s garage in Los Angeles was his first warehouse and where his distribution business launched. Little did Aaron know that calling on salons and barbershops would lead to a distribution company servicing thousands of salons and barbershops.
Through the years, operating Salon Backbar along with his brother and business partner David, Aaron has learned a lot about the professional beauty industry. Aaron is now at a stage in his life where he would like to use his experience and his legal background, to give back to an industry that has given him so much.
SHEILA PHILLIPS *Incumbent
Liquid Assets – Baton Rouge, LA
PBA Member Company since 2000
Sheila Phillips - President/CEO and founder of Liquid Assets, LLC — one of the fastest growing, privately held, professional beauty distributors in the country.
Sheila has been actively involved in PBA her entire career. She is committed to advancing the Professional beauty industry and encouraging unlimited opportunities for a successful career - as she is a testament to what is possible.
Managing multi-location salons and schools along with Distribution ownership, her passion became coaching others to succeed. Her experience in Accounting and Operations makes her a rare find in our industry — supporting stylists and salons to sustain continued growth.
Sheila was inducted into the prestigious WISE Program as a leading woman in America. She has served as a public speaker for PBA and others — leading industry professionals to evolve in an ever-changing world. Sheila has no plans to stop making a difference in the Professional Beauty Industry.
ANGELA VIRISSIMO
Sweis, Inc. – Torrance, CA
PBA Member Company since 2013
Angela has been in the beauty industry for the past 25 years. Starting with retail management at Saks Fifth Avenue and Chanel cosmetics and then moving into Professional Beauty distribution. Angela worked for Maly's and later Salon Centric as a DSC and Regional Sales Manager covering parts of Southern California. Angela joined Sweis Inc. in 2012, as a Regional Sales Manager and was promoted to Director of Sales in 2020.
Angela has enjoyed attending the PBA Executive Summit, NAHAs, Cosmoprof, and ISSE, as well as many Brand shows throughout her career. The PBA has been a great source of inspiration and knowledge throughout Angela's Beauty journey. The valuable tools and resources provided by PBA have been used to train sales teams, work with salon owners and stylists and stay on top of both creative and business trends. Angela looks forward to giving back to the industry she loves so much, serving the members of the PBA and all those associated with this great organization.