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Association Community Floods Social Media With Tributes to ASAE’s Graham

The death of ASAE President and CEO John H. Graham IV, FASAE, CAE, earlier this week prompted an outpouring of condolences, memories, and tributes to the longtime association chief executive, offering a glimpse into the scope and depth of his impact.

Julie Shoop

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The association world took to Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and other social platforms this week to remember John Graham.

President and CEO of ASAE since 2003, Graham died early Monday after a battle with  cancer. ASAE’s announcement on Monday afternoon  (opens in a new tab) prompted a stream of tributes and memories from members, industry partners, and others in the association and nonprofit community on whom Graham had made an impact over the course of a 50-year career in nonprofit management, including 24 years at the American Diabetes Association and nine at the Boy Scouts of America.

“I had the privilege of working with John, and he was a great friend, mentor, and supporter,” National Retail Federation President and CEO Matthew Shay, who served as ASAE board chair in 2017 and 2018, said in a statement  (opens in a new tab). “He was a constant cheerleader for me like he was for so many others. There was no one more passionately dedicated to the association world and nonprofit community. He embodied the very best of what it means to be a service leader and will be deeply missed by all of us who knew him.”

These were among the many reactions shared on social media channels this week:

Mark Dorsey, CAE, CEO, Construction Specifications Institute

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Tracey Brown, CEO, American Diabetes Association

Nicholas Oliver, CAE, Executive Director, Rhode Island Partnership for Home Care

Stefanie Reeves, CAE, Executive Director, Maryland Psychological Association

Neal Denton, CAE, chief government affairs officer, YMCA of the USA

Helena Lehman, senior vice president, Leading Authorities, Inc., And Glenn Tecker, Chair and Co-CEO, Tecker International

Susan Robertson, CAE, worked closely with Graham as executive vice president of ASAE and president of the ASAE Research Foundation. She is currently serving as ASAE’s interim president and CEO.

“John’s passing is a tremendous loss for all of us at ASAE, and a loss that will be felt throughout the entire association profession,” Robertson said. “He was a passionate advocate of the power that associations have to create a positive impact on society. And he was a passionate advocate for the people that comprise the community.  I am fortunate, honored, and humbled  to have been able to work so closely with John for all of these years. He was my colleague, mentor, and friend. I extend my deepest sympathies to his beloved family.”

The ASAE statement noted that the Graham family will hold a private service in Pennsylvania. A memorial service in Washington, DC, will follow.

Jay Timmons, president and CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers, echoed a theme running through many reactions to Graham’s death.

“Throughout his career, John brought people together. Now, we come together to mourn his passing,” Timmons said in a statement  (opens in a new tab). “It is a testament to his legacy and impact that so many people of diverse backgrounds, from an array of industries and nonprofits, are affected by this loss.”

(Chuck Fazio)

Julie Shoop

Julie Shoop is a former editor-in-chief of Associations Now in Washington, DC.

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Tags: #community data #Leadership #nonprofit

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