Two Canadians will take on leadership roles within the American philatelic community following the recent elections for the American Philatelic Society (APS) and the American Philatelic Research Library (APRL).
Vancouver’s Ed Kroft has been elected secretary of the APS Board of Directors. It will mark his first term on the APS Board. A familiar name to many in the Canadian philatelic world, Kroft is a past president of The Royal Philatelic Society of Canada and has been an active exhibitor, judge, and writer for many years. His election comes during a significant turnover year for the APS, with 10 of the 11 board positions up for election.
Toronto’s Jean Wang has been elected to a full six-year term on the American Philatelic Research Library Board of Trustees, where she will continue her work in thematic exhibiting and philatelic outreach.
Toronto collector Jean Wang was also elected to a full six-year term on the APRL Board of Trustees. She had previously been appointed to the board in 2023 and will now continue in an elected role. Wang is known for her award-winning thematic exhibits and for her work in promoting philately to new audiences in Canada.
The APS reported on June 18 a total of 2,982 members cast ballots—14 per cent of eligible voters—either online or by mail. The newly elected officers will officially assume their roles on Aug. 16, 2025, at the Great American Stamp Show in Schaumburg, Illinois.
In addition to Kroft, the incoming APS Board will include newly elected president Mark Banchik, the vice-presidential team of Greg Galletti, Dwayne Littauer and Ron Klimley, treasurer Larry Haber, and directors-at-large Steve McGill, Michael Cortese, Bruce Wasserman, and David Klauber.
On the APRL side, Wang will be joined by new trustee Matthew Healey and Michael Bloom, elected as the representative for the Founders, Patrons and Vooys Fellows. A fourth trustee will be appointed by the incoming APS president.
The APS is the world’s largest organization for stamp collectors, with more than 25,000 members worldwide, including many in Canada.