--- title: "Comings and Goings: Career Moves in Associations" id: "53599" type: "post" slug: "comings-and-goings-career-moves-in-associations-10" published_at: "2021-11-29T21:38:13+00:00" modified_at: "2026-03-17T14:19:11+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2021/11/29/comings-and-goings-career-moves-in-associations-10/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2021/11/29/comings-and-goings-career-moves-in-associations-10.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: Lakisha Ann Woods, CAE, will lead the American Institute of Architects." taxonomy_category: - "Executive Leadership" taxonomy_post_tag: - "AssociationsNow" - "Business" - "careers" - "Executives" - "Leadership" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Association CEO / Executive Director" - "C-Level" - "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, several long-time executives have announced plans to retire. Among them: Joseph M. McGuire, CAE, CEO of the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers; and Mary Roth, CEO of RIMS, the risk management society. Here’s a look at recent promotions and other career changes in the industry, including Lakisha Ann Woods, CAE, being named the new executive vice president/chief executive officer of the American Institute of Architects. ### Chief Staff Executives The North American Trailer Dealers Association [named (opens in a new tab)](https://www.natda.org/news/andria-gibbon-cem-named-executive-director-of-natda-) **Andria Gibbon** as its new executive director. **Nathan Ohle** [was selected (opens in a new tab)](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/international-economic-development-council-names-new-president--ceo-301409819.html?tc=eml_cleartime) as president and CEO of the International Economic Development Council. The International Society of Automation [named (opens in a new tab)](https://www.automation.com/en-us/articles/october-2021/isa-names-claire-ramspeck-executive-director) **Claire Ramspeck** its new executive director. **Joanne Pike**, DrPH, [was promoted (opens in a new tab)](https://www.alz.org/news/2021/joanne-pike-named-president-alzheimers-association) to president of the Alzheimer’s Association. She will be taking over those duties from Harry Johns, who will now focus solely on CEO duties at the organization. American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists selected **Ilyse Shapiro** as its new executive director. The American Institute of Architects [announced (opens in a new tab)](https://www.aia.org/press-releases/6455879-lakisha-woods-selected-aia-executive-vice-) **Lakisha Ann Woods, CAE**, as its next executive vice president and CEO. --- ### Other Moves **John Fawkes** [was named (opens in a new tab)](https://www.cleaninginstitute.org/newsroom/releases/2021/aci-welcomes-john-fawkes-manager-membership) manager, membership, by the American Cleaning Institute. The International Surfing Association [appointed (opens in a new tab)](https://isasurf.org/isa-appoints-federico-ferroni-new-marketing-media-manager/) **Federico Ferroni** marketing and media manager. Wes Fisher Gwyn Donohue Josh Jones The Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council has a made some [recent staff changes (opens in a new tab)](https://pijac.org/press/pijac-hires-wes-fisher-new-senior-director-government-affairs) . **Wes Fisher** was hired as senior director, government affairs; **Gwyn Donohue** was promoted to vice president, communications; and **Josh Jones** was promoted to director, government affairs. Brooke Graham Michael Guillory The Expo Group [has added (opens in a new tab)](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-expo-group-continues-to-attract-experienced-senior-team-members-as-it-strengthens-its-position-as-architects-for-connecting-communities-301417907.html) two new staff members. **Michael Guillory** joins as vice president of marketing and communications, and **Brooke Graham** joins as senior project manager. **Maria Grasso** [was appointed (opens in a new tab)](https://phl.travmedia.com/VPR/showPressRelease/100084347) senior vice president, convention division, for the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau. **Robert “Robb” Micek** [was selected (opens in a new tab)](https://www.bevnet.com/news/2021/american-beverage-association-appoints-new-evp-and-cfo/) as the American Beverage Association’s executive vice president and chief financial officer. The Kauai Visitors Bureau [named (opens in a new tab)](https://www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/news/news-releases/2021/kauai-visitors-bureau-names-patricia-ornellas-as-destination-manager/) **Patricia “Patti” Ornellas** destination manager. Christine Pollack Elizabeth Tansing The Food Industry Association [announced (opens in a new tab)](https://www.fmi.org/newsroom/latest-news/view/2021/10/28/fmi-welcomes-pollack-promotes-tansing-on-government-relations-team) two staff changes. **Christine Pollack** has joined as vice president, government relations. **Elizabeth Tansing**, formerly a senior director, was promoted to vice president, state government relations. Andy Ritter Liam Doyle The Chicago Southland Convention and Visitors Bureau [hired (opens in a new tab)](https://www.visitchicagosouthland.com/blog/CSCVB-announces-additions-to-the-Marketing-Team) **Andy Ritter** as public relations manager and **Liam Doyle** as communications manager. **Eric Steiner**[was named (opens in a new tab)](https://www.afandpa.org/news/2021/afpa-names-eric-steiner-vice-president-government-affairs) vice president of government affairs for the American Forest & Paper Association. David Taylor Neil Schriever Jessica Parr The Boston Convention Marketing Center [added (opens in a new tab)](https://blog.signatureboston.com/three-industry-veterans-join-the-boston-convention-marketing-center) three three staff members: **David Taylor** is director of hotel relations ad services, **Neil Schriever** is senior director for sales and industry relations, and **Jessica Parr** is citywide sales manager. IAAPA, the global association for the attractions industry, [has selected (opens in a new tab)](https://www.iaapa.org/news/iaapa-press-room/iaapa-names-jakob-wahl-executive-vice-president-and-chief-operating-officer) **Jakob Wahl** as its executive vice president and chief operating officer. The Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bureau [announced (opens in a new tab)](https://www.visitokc.com/articles/post/wisniewski-selected-for-sports-vp-post-at-okc-convention-visitors-bureau/) **Adam Wisniewski** as vice president of sports development. --- ### Retirements & Departures Organic Trade Association CEO **Laura Batcha** [plans to step down (opens in a new tab)](https://ota.com/news/press-releases/21944) in spring 2022. Batcha has been at OTA since 2008 and CEO since 2014. **Joseph M. McGuire, CAE,** president and CEO of the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers [plans to retire (opens in a new tab)](https://www.aham.org/AHAM/News/Latest_News/Retirement_Announcement_McGuire.aspx) around May 2022, pending a national search for his replacement. McGuire has held the position since 1998 and was formerly ASAE board chair. Marriott International Executive Vice President and Global Chief Human Resources Officer **David Rodriguez, Ph.D.,** [will retire (opens in a new tab)](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/marriott-international-announces-david-rodriguez-to-retire-as-global-chief-human-resources-officer-301402036.html) at the end of 2021 after 23 years with the organization. RIMS, the risk management society, CEO**Mary Roth** [plans to retire (opens in a new tab)](https://www.rims.org/about-us/newsroom/news/rims-ceo-mary-roth-announces-retirement-plan) following the group’s 2022 annual conference. She has been CEO for the past 17 years. (cagkansayin/iStock/Getty Images Plus) [Rasheeda Childress](https://associationsnow.com/author/rasheeda-childress/) Rasheeda Childress is a former senior editor at Associations Now. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/rasheeda-childress/) Tags: [#Business](https://associationsnow.com/tag/business/) [#careers](https://associationsnow.com/tag/careers/) [#Executives](https://associationsnow.com/tag/executives/) [#Leadership](https://associationsnow.com/tag/leadership/) **Stay Informed** [Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/) , *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day. ## You Might Like - [VideoAmerican Geophysical Union: Standing Up for Science: AGU’s Year of Action for Scientists and SocietySeptember 24, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/09/24/american-geophysical-union-standing-up-for-science-agus-year-of-action-for-scientists-and-society/) - [VideoInt. 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