NCA Honors Paula Kent Meehan and Leo Passage at 3rd International Legends Ball

Paula Kent Meehan, founder of Redken and the Salon Global Business Awards
When she founded Redken Laboratories in 1960 with an initial investment of $3,000, Paula Kent Meehan helped pave the way for women entrepreneurs. She forged her success through an entrepreneurial spirit that demonstrated the power of making a difference by meeting consumer demands. Her creativity and scientific approach to beauty included designing programs and training hairstylists to successfully market Redken products in the salon, as well as teaching chemistry to stylists, thereby enabling them to better serve their clients. Through her initiative and innovative efforts, she had built Redken Laboratories into a multi-million dollar enterprise when she sold it to L’Oréal in the 1990s. In 2004, she initiated the Global Business Awards to honor the business achievements of salon professionals around the world and established the B.E.S.T. Foundation to support the continued growth of the global salon industry through recognition, publicity, advanced business education and resources.

Leo Passage, founder of Pivot Point International
As Founder and Chairman of the Board of Pivot Point International, Leo Passage is credited with changing the concepts behind cosmetology education by shattering the myth that successful designers must be born with artistic ability. His "scientific approach" to cosmetology is rooted in the Bauhaus Theory and based on a unique harmony between science, technology and art. In 1962, Leo founded Pivot Point International with five students and one classroom. Today, there are 2,000 Pivot Point Member Schools in 50 countries. Leo began his hairdressing career at age 15 in Holland and won over 100 international awards including Champion of Holland before immigrating to the United States in 1958. In 1959, he joined the NCA and began competing, earning a number of prestigious titles including World Supreme Hairdresser of the Year. He has been a supporter of hairdressing competition, convincing the OMC in 1980 to allow student competitions and has worked with the NCA as Competition Chair since 2000 to build interest in the contests with younger stylists.

In addition to honoring this year's nominees, the NCA's 3rd International Legends Ball raised over $75,000 for the NCA Cares Fund, an umbrella fundraising effort in support of three salon community outreach programs: Look Good... Feel Better, CUT IT OUT/Salons Against Domestic Abuse Fund and the NCA Disaster Relief Fund. "As we celebrate Paula Kent Meehan and Leo Passage, whose creative thinking, ideas and contributions have changed the industry, it’s wonderful that we’re able to raise money for these community programs that have also touched so many," says NCA President Marlene Bridge. "The NCA has a long history as an advocate for community outreach and our members are dedicated volunteers and generous fundraisers who have helped thousands of people in need."

Organizing Committee for the 3rd International Legends Ball include:
Overall Chairs: Sam Brocato, Chair of the NCA Disaster Relief Fund; Lydia Sarfati, Chair of EstheticsAmerica/CIDESCO USA
Fundraising Chairs: Ann Mincey, Vice President of Communications, Redken 5th Avenue NYC; Corrine Passage, Vice President of Production and Publishing, Pivot Point International
Fundraising Committee/Industry Liaisons:
Bob Peel, Jr., Peel’s Salon Services, Distributor Liaison
Bill Peplow, Paul Mitchell Systems, Manufacturer Liaison
Jan Roberts, Sally Beauty, Trade Show and Media Liaison
Cheryl Tricoci, Tricoci Salon and Spas, Salon Liaison
Karen Wilkin-Donachie, Pivot Point International, School Liaison

Sponsors for the 3rd International Legends Ball include:
Redken 5th Avenue NYC, PureOlogy, Pivot Point International, Takara Belmont, American Salon, behindthechair.com, CND, Global Salon Business Awards, Repêchage.

Past NCA International Legend Ball Honorees have included Mario Tricoci, Founder of the Mario Tricoci Salons and Day Spas; Olive Benson, Creator of Universal Textures and Education Director for Soft Sheen; Robert Lobetta, Creative Director of Sebastian International; and Paul Mitchell, Co-Founder of John Paul Mitchell Systems

For more information regarding membership in the NCA or to learn more, visit www.ncacares.org or call 866-871-0656.

The National Cosmetology Association (NCA) is the largest organization of salon professionals in the world. Its mission, since its inception in 1921, has been and continues to be to ensure that working salon professionals have the tools and resources available to create career success with integrity. For more information on NCA, visit www.ncacares.org