--- title: "Comings and Goings: Career Moves in Associations" id: "53080" type: "post" slug: "comings-and-goings-career-moves-in-associations-7" published_at: "2021-08-27T21:38:06+00:00" modified_at: "2026-03-17T13:59:53+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2021/08/27/comings-and-goings-career-moves-in-associations-7/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2021/08/27/comings-and-goings-career-moves-in-associations-7.md" excerpt: "Association professionals are always on the move. Here’s our monthly roundup of new hires, career changes, and retirements across the association industry. Of note: Alison Heron, CAE, now leads the Association of Child Life Professionals." taxonomy_category: - "Executive Leadership" taxonomy_post_tag: - "AssociationsNow" - "Business" - "careers" - "Executives" - "Leadership" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Association CEO / Executive Director" - "Executive Team" - "VP" taxonomy_persona: - "Executive Leadership" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » Comings and Goings: Career Moves in Associations Career moves are common in the association industry. This month, there are several changes at the executive level, including many new chief executives and a few retirements. Here’s a look at the career changes in the association industry. ### Chief Staff Executives **Dale Denham** [was named (opens in a new tab)](https://pubs.ppai.org/ppb-newslink/ppb-newslink-breaking-news-ppai-announces-dale-denham-masplus-as-new-president-and-ceo/) the new president and CEO of the Promotional Products Association International. The Medical Fitness Association [selected (opens in a new tab)](https://www.medicalfitness.org/mfa_ceo/) **David Flench** as its president and CEO. **Marcela Garcia** [was appointed (opens in a new tab)](https://usriceproducers.com/u-s-rice-producers-assn-select-new-leadership/) president and CEO of the US Rice Producers Association. The National Auto Auction Association [named (opens in a new tab)](https://www.magnetmail.net/actions/email_web_version.cfm?ep=l91KQpM0sytM3xDgV9SlgrwDPEc9A1S-Vx5akK0hI2J6QIAMvaCNZYKS8vxdC4UEYiznCFM8CFJrIKwDyzPgdsoM8TruXj-bN6fButLff6qJB6zAACfwKmmMhV1tpYKb) **Tricia Heon** as its new CEO. The Association of Child Life Professionals [appointed (opens in a new tab)](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/assocchildlife_aclp-is-excited-to-announce-the-selection-activity-6810556425064996864-oEPW/) **Alison E. Heron, CAE,** as its new CEO. **Marsha Kiner, CAE,** [was selected (opens in a new tab)](https://afc.memberclicks.net/assets/docs/AFC_New%20CEO_Press%20Release%20June%2030%202021.pdf) as the new CEO of the Association of Florida Colleges. The American Pianists Association [named (opens in a new tab)](https://www.americanpianists.org/apa-blog/466-announcing-ceo) **Peter Mraz** its new president and CEO. The Government Employees Health Association [appointed (opens in a new tab)](https://www.geha.com/geha-blog/healthy-living/2021/07/19/geha-names-arthur-a-nizza-dsw-as-new-president-and-chief-executive-officer) **Arthur A. Nizza** its president and CEO. **Jacqualine Price Osafo, CAE,** [was selected (opens in a new tab)](https://www2.archivists.org/news/2021/jacqualine-price-osafo-appointed-saa-executive-director) as the new executive director of the Society of American Archivists. After serving in the post on an interim basis since last July, **Deborah Ward** [was named (opens in a new tab)](https://omaha.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/deborah-ward-named-executive-director-of-omaha-convention-and-visitors-bureau/article_2ad77886-d5b4-11eb-a5be-632e9e61ea21.html) the executive director of Visit Omaha. **David Whitaker** [was appointed (opens in a new tab)](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/greater-miami-convention--visitors-bureau-appoints-new-president-and-ceo-301336536.html) president and CEO of the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau. ### Other Moves The Independent Insurance Agents of Texas made [two staffing moves (opens in a new tab)](https://www.iiat.org/texas-agent-news/iiat-promotes-lee-loftis-to-chief-legislative-officer-regan-ellmer-joins-as-new-director-of-government-affairs) . **Regan Ellmer** has joined the group as the director of government affairs. **H. Lee Loftis Jr.**[pictured] was promoted to chief legislative officer. A few staffing changes have happened at Louisville Tourism. **Sonia Fong** [was appointed (opens in a new tab)](https://www.gotolouisville.com/media/news-stories/louisville-appoints-new-senior-vice-president-of-convention-sales/) senior vice president of convention development. **Elizabeth Berry** [was hired (opens in a new tab)](https://www.gotolouisville.com/media/news-stories/louisville-tourism-names-new-director-of-northeast-sales/) as director of Northeast sales. The DMC Network [named (opens in a new tab)](https://mailchi.mp/dmcnetwork/admei2020-19043712?e=24a0b7a619) **Cindy Hartner** senior director of global sales. **Frank Humada** [was named (opens in a new tab)](https://www.associationbriefings.com/association-briefings-names-frank-humada-cbdo) chief business development officer at Association Briefings. **Charlene Lopez** [was promoted (opens in a new tab)](https://discoveratlanta.com/news/acvb-promotes-charlene-lopez-to-vice-president/) to vice president, sales, for the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau. The New Jersey Bankers Association and Bankers Cooperative Group [welcomed (opens in a new tab)](https://njbmagazine.com/njb-news-now/john-mangini-joins-nj-bankers-association-and-bankers-cooperative-group/) **John Mangini** as vice president and director of marketing and communications. **Melissa Palmer** [was hired (opens in a new tab)](https://www.farm-equipment.com/articles/19518-melissa-palmer-joins-eda-as-director-of-communications-marketing) as director of communications and marketing at the Equipment Dealers Association. The American Society of Radiologic Technologists [named (opens in a new tab)](https://www.asrt.org/main/news-publications/news/article/2021/06/28/former-asrt-president-selected-for-executive-staff-leadership-role) **Melissa Pergola** executive vice president of governance and public policy. The Association on American Indian Affairs [selected (opens in a new tab)](https://www.indian-affairs.org/uploads/8/7/3/8/87380358/2021-08-09_kimberly_smith_press_release__2_.pdf) **Kimberly Smith**, a citizen of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, as its public affairs and outreach coordinator. **Kevin M. Williams**[was hired (opens in a new tab)](https://www.nmma.org/press/article/23724?utm_source=Currents&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=Currents&utm_content=staff) as vice president of marketing at the National Marine Manufacturers Association. ### Retirements & Departures National Electrical Manufacturers Association President and CEO **Kevin J. Cosgriff** [will retire (opens in a new tab)](https://www.nema.org/news-trends/view/kevin-j.-cosgriff-nema-president-and-ceo-announces-retirement) at the end of this year. He was with the organization for seven years. **Jeffrey A. Finkle,** president and CEO of the International Economic Development Council for the past 20 years, [plans to retire (opens in a new tab)](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/international-economic-development-councils-longtime-leader-announces-retirement-301310936.html) in early 2022. President and CEO of Visit KC,**Jason Fulvi**, who has served in that position since 2018, [is leaving (opens in a new tab)](http://news.visitkc.com/releases/visit-kc-announces-resignation-of-president-ceo-jason-fulvi) the organization September 3 to join a private firm. **Dennis J. Slater** [will retire (opens in a new tab)](https://newsroom.aem.org/association-of-equipment-manufacturers-president-dennis-j-slater-to-retire--at-year-end-after-23-years-as-president/) as president of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers effective December 31. He has served as AEM’s president since 1998. (HATICE GOCMEN/iStock/Getty Images Plus) [Rasheeda Childress](https://associationsnow.com/author/rasheeda-childress/) Rasheeda Childress is a former senior editor at Associations Now. 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