Rob Smead

Co-Founder, President - TIMA & INKTEGRITY | Electrum

Rob Smead brings a rare, full-spectrum perspective to the evolving landscape of tattoo regulation - with over 30 years as a tattoo practitioner, more than a decade of experience in product development and manufacturing, and as the owner of one of the industry’s most trusted supply companies, Electrum.

From behind the tattoo machine to behind the scenes of ink formulation, Rob has lived every facet of this industry. He understands the challenges artists face, the complexities manufacturers navigate, and the urgency regulators feel. That’s what makes his voice so vital, and his vision so necessary.

As the co-founder of TIMA (Tattoo Industry Manufacturers Alliance) and INKTEGRITY, Rob is working to protect the future of tattooing by creating a path toward compliance without compromise. His mission is to ensure that manufacturers and artists aren’t left out of the conversation, and instead, become leaders in it.

Rob is building a coalition rooted in science, guided by integrity, and fueled by the same passion that’s defined his entire career.

James Gaither

Vice President - TIMA | Hospeco Brands

Joins the TIMA Board with over 10 years of tattoo-industry experience, representing legacy brands from Adenna & Art Noir product development as a Channel Director while managing distribution channels. Most recently, he was a founder of Ravens Nest Productions, aiming to raise awareness of community charities and industry challenges within the collector community through event-focused campaigns. As a four-year manufacturing member of the APT, he has seen firsthand the negative impact MOCRA could have on the art of tattooing. He brings 18 additional years of lateral-market experience in public-health-focused industry alliance models across the plumbing, automotive aftermarket, and janitorial/sanitation sectors, to name a few.

He aims to help the tattoo community strengthen its voice by aligning distribution networks and manufacturers around a unified, foundational approach to regulatory engagement. His priorities include chain-of-custody standards and establishing an annual meeting of industry leaders. Drawing on proven strategies from other industries, he seeks to adapt best-practice frameworks to the tattoo field while ensuring the community retains full control of the trade’s future. As an avid collector, he is strongly motivated by advocacy for safety substantiation.

“I don’t believe the tattoo industry faces unusual complication risks; its long history of successful self-regulation speaks for itself. However, global bureaucracy and market consolidation have shifted their focus toward our community, driven by rapid growth in tattoo technology and artistry. External influences will not go away, so it is our responsibility to engage with them and demonstrate that we do not fit into the same regulatory boxes as other industries. We must build our own framework, one that protects the art across the entire supply chain and practice.

Tattooing is a global, generational tradition, and explaining its uniqueness to external stakeholders is challenging but essential. Our ecosystem functions like a family, one that has grown rapidly. I believe every level of this family can unite, just as other public-health and safety industries have, but with the added strength of its greatest asset: its artists. We must protect this at all costs."

Selina Medina

Secretary - TIMA | Girly Tattoos Charlotte

A veteran tattoo artist, researcher, and regulatory strategist with over 20 years of professional experience spanning studio practice, product safety, and international compliance for the tattoo-ink marketplace. Known for her ability to bridge hands-on tattooing with technical and scientific frameworks, Selina has become a trusted voice in advancing practical, evidence-based standards for the modern tattoo industry.

Her leadership within regulatory and professional organizations has significantly shaped health, safety, and oversight practices. Selina spent more than five years serving with the American Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) on the Body Art Committee, contributing to national discussions on public health protections and professional standards. She also served for over three years with the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA), where her work supported the development of the Body Art Model Code and the training of health department inspectors across jurisdictions.

Since 2018, Selina has actively participated in international regulatory discussions on tattoo-ink safety and legislation, engaging with stakeholders and agencies in the United Kingdom, the European Union, Australia, China, and Japan, as well as independent safety and risk-assessment bodies. Her work has helped translate complex regulatory expectations into practical systems that manufacturers and artists can realistically implement.

In parallel with her regulatory efforts, Selina has collaborated with university researchers and cosmetic chemists on studies involving pigment dispersion, carbon black behavior, microbial safety, and the real-world implications of evolving frameworks such as EU REACH, ISO standards, and the U.S. Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MoCRA). She has supported tattoo-ink brands by developing product dossiers, Safety Data Sheet (SDS) systems, ingredient traceability, and global registration strategies, bringing clarity and structure to increasingly complex compliance environments.

At the core of Selina’s work is a commitment to ensuring that tattooing defines its own standards—grounded in science, informed by practice, and controlled by the industry itself. She focuses on strengthening documentation, improving chain-of-custody practices, and building digital systems that protect both artists and manufacturers while preserving the integrity of the craft.

Sean Brown

Co-founder, Executive Director, Acting Treasurer - TIMA & INKTEGRITY | Republic Tattoo & Ever After Pigments

A U.S. Army veteran and tattooer of 26 years whose work spans art, manufacturing, education, and advocacy within the global tattoo and PMU community. His foundation in the military as a combat medic and Environmental Health and Safety Specialist shaped his lifelong respect for process, safety, and service—values that continue to guide his work across the industry.

Throughout his career, Sean has built a reputation for dedication, compassion, and technical precision, particularly in restorative tattooing for breast cancer patients. His work in areola and nipple restoration has become a meaningful part of his mission, helping survivors reclaim confidence and rebuild their sense of wholeness through thoughtful, patient-centered artistry.

Sean founded Republic Tattoo Supply, co-founded Ever After Pigments, and later served as the General Manager of Eternal Ink, supporting artists, studios, and manufacturers through periods of growth and regulatory change. His leadership has always focused on transparency, quality, and elevating the craft rather than seeking recognition.

As a government affairs specialist, Sean has worked extensively to ensure that regulatory efforts—particularly the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MoCRA)—are informed by science, practicality, and a clear understanding of how tattooing actually operates. He continues to collaborate with organizations and experts around the world to help develop standards that improve safety without compromising the culture or creative freedom that define the craft.

Today, through TIMA and Inktegrity, Sean is committed to supporting the entire Tattoo ecosystem, from manufacturers to distributors, from studios to artists and clients, with education, compliance support, and tools, and honest information. His goal remains consistent: strengthen the community, protect the craft, and help build a future where artists and clients alike can thrive.

Jeremy Miller

Director - TIMA I World Certification Services

A 23-year tattoo artist known for bright colors and bold lines. In addition to a successful career in tattooing, he holds a PhD. in Industrial and Organizational Psychology and is an expert in quality management systems and good manufacturing practices. He is a certified lead management systems auditor for standards in quality, health and safety, environmental, aerospace, and cosmetics manufacturing. He is highly experienced in consulting and auditing for over 1,000 organizations worldwide. With great enthusiasm for driving organizational and process improvements, he brings a unique perspective, having ensured the highest manufacturing standards are met.