Trending 40: Association Leaders

Top leaders in associations and trade groups.

Memorable projects: Launched NBWA’s Next Generation Group in 2013 to provide programs for emerging leaders. The group has grown to nearly 300 members; in 2007, relaunched and rebranded education foundation, which explores effective alcohol regulation and organizes an annual law and policy conference.
Lessons learned: Patience, humility and hard work still matter. So does being in the right place at the right time. Set clear objectives and communicate around them.
Why this career: Class in college about advocacy groups planted the seed, and then a summer internship in DC sunk the hook.
Grew up: Tulsa, OK
Why DC: To work for home state senator, Don Nickles.
First jobs: Rolling tennis courts, cutting grass and making and delivering pizza for Mr. Gatti’s.
Free time: Wife, older son and daughter are musicians, so play roadie, groupie and sound man for them.
Family: Married, three children and a dog.
Favorite vacation spot: Paris, Bahamas and Outer Banks.
Bucket list: Fill bucket with ice and beers and consume with good people and good conversation. Repeat.
Daily habit: Coffee. Working in the alcohol beverage industry requires an appreciation for caffeine.
Startling fact: On occasion, I’ll consume Jack Daniels or red wine. It’s opposition research.

Memorable projects: Achieved record membership the past six years; created title and insurance industry standards over two years ago so consumers and lenders can better benchmark title and settlement companies. Also working on launching a homebuyer outreach program in October to help members communicate directly with homebuyers about title insurance using traditional marketing, social media and targeted web-based ads.
Lesson learned: Listening is the skill to employ to get the best outcomes for the organization and staff.
Why this career: Worked in the Bush administration and then a think tank. When offered a job in a trade association, it felt like an easy jump.
Grew up: On a farm in eastern North Dakota.
Why DC: Came in 2001 to work for the Bush administration. Started on the parachute team at the Department of Labor.
First job: Picking mustard on dad and uncle’s farm.
Free time: Between a demanding job and three kids…always looking for the best under eye concealer.
Family: Married 13 years; three daughters, ages 7, 5 and 3.
Favorite vacation spot: North Dakota, where we spend a good part of the summer, and Key West in the winter. (Sorry, North Dakota.)
Bucket list: As a family, we read the Declaration of Independence at the home of a signer. Would like to read it at every existing home of a signer.
Daily habit: News, herbal mint tea and Instagram.
Startling fact: I know how to drive a tractor and a combine.

Memorable project: Led four-year effort to completely overhaul 30-year-old system of governance, financial and membership structures.
Lessons learned: Asking for help doesn't mean you're weak – you become stronger as a result of seeking advice.
Why this career: Started career as a music teacher, but took advantage of things offered. Eventually worked on Capitol Hill, which provided exposure to associations and piqued interest.
Grew up: North Dakota
Why DC: Sister moved here and visited in the summers. Stayed in the area after studying music at the University of Maryland.
First job: Drug store clerk
Free time: Heavily involved in Destination Nation, a nonprofit that helps kids with creative problem solving.
Family: Married 29 years; daughter (22) and son (18).
Bucket list: Visit every major league baseball stadium to see a game.
Daily habits: Coffee and yoga.
Startling fact: Grew up on a farm in North Dakota and graduating class was in the 20s.

Memorable initiative: Spearheaded transformation of the Manufacturers Alliance from a policy research group to a US leader in executive development for manufacturing executives.
Lessons learned: Don’t be afraid to take risks or admit mistakes and always remember that association leaders are only in this business because of the members, so their needs have to be top of mind.
Why this career: First job after college was with association legend George Koch at the Grocery Manufacturers of America (now Grocery Manufacturers Association). After years of working with him, knew association management was calling. 
Grew up: Born in Birmingham, AL, but father worked as Goldwater’s deputy press secretary during ’64 campaign, so moved to DC as a kid.
First job: Soda jerk for Hot Shoppes.
Free time: Reading, exercise, wine tasting and spending time with grandchildren.
Family: Married 30 years; adult son (works for a trade association), adult daughter, who just had our first grandson, and super smart Labradoodle. 
Favorite vacation spot: Laguna Beach.
Bucket list: Four weeks in La Rioja, Spain, to visit favorite vineyards. 
Daily habit: Meditation
Startling fact: Born a triplet and pictured on the front page of the Birmingham News.

Memorable initiatives: Worked with Congress to create a bipartisan aluminum caucus that’s grown to 40 members and educates key policy members on issues facing the industry; restarted the Aluminum PAC; grew membership to a record level; and grew industry’s safety program by training over 49 companies and 160 of their employees in safety practices in the past year.
Lessons learned: Develop a strategic plan with clear goals and outcomes and have metrics to measure progress along the way. Also, stay in touch with your network as they can serve as helpful resources.
Why this career: Association management work is fun and interesting, with every day bringing something different. It’s a wonderful hybrid of my previous experience on Capitol Hill and the corporate world. 
Grew up: Walla Walla, WA.
Why DC: Thought about law school after college, but ended up driving across the country with a friend to DC to work for Sen. Dan Evans. Later got an MBA while working in government affairs. 
First job: Picking strawberries on a farm in Walla Walla. 
Free time: Busy with St. James’ Episcopal Church at Mount Vernon where husband is the rector. Also, family time and visiting farmers markets on the weekends.
Family: Married 12 years; son (7); and recently adopted rescue dog.
Favorite vacation spots: Cape Cod and Seattle.
Bucket list: Get cooking lesson from Chef Tom Douglas of Seattle. 
Daily habit: Early morning walks followed by a big cup of green tea.
Startling fact: Enjoys converting all of the great finds at farmer's markets into jars of jam and pickles. 

Memorable projects: Franchise industry hired 238,000 veterans, military spouses and wounded warriors by the end of 2014, far exceeding original commitment to hire 80,000; helped shrink the shortfall for loans for aspiring entrepreneurs and existing franchisees; leading the charge to restore the definition of the workweek to 40 hours in the ACA from the current 30 hours.
Lessons learned: Hire great people and get out of the way; educate, communicate and engage officers and board to get buy-in on overall strategy and execution; and give back time and personal and organization’s resources to greater DC community through philanthropic organizations. 
Why this career: Started on Capitol Hill, then morphed to working on political campaigns. Intro to associations came from working as senior manager of political affairs during ’88 elections for US Chamber of Commerce. 
Grew up: Springfield, MA
First jobs: Cut grass, raked leaves and shoveled snow. 
Free time: Golf, travel, Italian food, Napa Valley red wine and charitable work. 
Family: Married 18 years; daughter (15) and son (13).
Favorite vacation spot: Chatham, Cape Cod
Bucket list: Play golf in St. Andrews, Scotland, with three close friends.
Daily habit: Talk to members, catch kids’ sporting events and walk family’s two Cocker Spaniels. 
Startling fact: Avid lap swimmer.

Memorable projects: Built ASTRO’s first-ever government relations and health policy divisions when hired in 2002; grew staff from 18 to 85; started a foundation, which has raised $12M; launched two scientific journals; built an accreditation program for radiation oncology and a medical error reporting system.
Lessons learned: Be flexible. With a new chairman every year, it’s important to learn their style and priorities and work with them to stay on course.
Why this career: Worked for the Senate and a corporate government relations office and got recruited to a trade association. ASTRO is my first individual member association.
Grew up: Wilton, CT.
Why DC: Lived in Houston and wanted to escape in ’86.
First job: Worked in a dry cleaners.
Free time: Working out and cutting out recipes.
Family: Married 26 years, one adult daughter (who’s getting a master's at Yale) and a Cairin Terrier named Eddie.
Favorite vacation spot: Toss up between Tuscany and San Terrini.
Bucket list: Recently checked off a cooking and wine trip in Tuscany.
Daily habit: Exercise—rotate between weightlifting, Pilates and yoga.
Startling fact: Don’t like coffee or sweets.

Memorable projects: Founding partner of “Let’s Move Salad Bars to Schools,” to raise money and donate salad bars to schools that can’t afford them; secured legislation to save the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act—the regulatory framework for produce sales in the US.
Lessons learned: The power of community within an association can transform competitors into partners with common interests; good ideas are all around you; and hard work on the high road always beats shortcuts on the low road.
Why this career: Worked in the utility industry and former corporate boss had gone to the National Soft Drink Association, where US Rep. Norman Sisisky, a Pepsi bottler, served as chairman. Took job because of the people involved.
Grew up: Portsmouth, VA
Why DC: Came (during Cherry Blossom season) for NSDA job.
First job: Dominion Power—$10k annual salary.
Free time: Travel within produce industry 50% of time (there’s nothing better than hanging out with growers, distributors and retailers where they live). Also enjoy golf, and Nats and Caps games.
Family: Married 13 years; blended family includes four adult children and 12-year-old daughter.
Favorite vacation spot: Outer Banks
Daily habit: Nice scotch in the evening (almost daily).
Startling fact: Jumped out of an airplane to promote association’s convention.

Memorable projects: Took position as CEO of AAAE after predecessor had it for 30 years. Met with each employee, asked five questions on organization’s direction and got AAAE moving toward the future. Other projects: Created an airport innovation accelerator to help companies sell into the airport market and partnered with San Fran airport to develop software to track ride-share companies and increase airport revenue.
Lessons learned: Culture is everything, and surround yourself with people who believe and own the mission.
Why this career: Came to associations as a lobbyist in ’91 and lobbied for an organization until late 2013. Loved the industry, believed in the mission and wanted the opportunity to grow it further.
Grew up: San Marino, CA
Why DC: Came in ’84 two days after graduating from college to work on the Hill for a year before going to law school. Got a job, liked it and never ended up in law school or leaving DC.
First job: Paper route and at 16, worked at Holiday Liquors delivering alcohol.
Free time: I’m a semi-pro chef—love trying to emulate dishes at Per Se and French Laundry.
Family: Married 20 years; two sons, ages 13 and 18, and Australian Shepherd.
Favorite vacation spots: BVI and Italy.
Bucket list: Hike Patagonia and cook dinner for Thomas Keller, chef from French Laundry and Per Se.
Daily habit: Morning exercise on elliptical while reading the newspaper.
Startling fact: Can juggle any three objects; haven’t tried chain saws yet though.

Memorable initiatives: Doubled size of NRF in five years, built a new team and attracted new companies as members. Conferences have also increased threefold in revenue.
Lesson learned: If you’re not transparent and effective at communicating your vision to the organization, then you’re not likely to be a successful leader.
Why this career: After law school and clerking for a judge, had offers to work for law firms, but found the intersection of law, politics and business an interesting fit. Has since earned an MBA and enjoys working with several constituents and shaping an entire industry.
Grew up: Columbus, OH
Why DC: Came 20 years ago to work at the International Franchise Association doing state government affairs.
First job: Stock boy at a shoe store.
Free time: Chase or be chased by our three kids.
Family: Married, kids ages 7, 8 and 9.
Daily habit: Exercise—swimming, bike, running or gym.
Startling fact: One career highlight was giving the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising commencement address last summer at the Staples Center in LA. With 22,000 attendees, got a taste of how Kobe Bryant feels when he walks onto the court.

Memorable projects: Public television was in danger of losing bipartisan support in Congress, so began focusing on education, public safety and civic leadership, rather than the medium of television. In five years, rebuilt support in Congress and in state government, and generated new investments from foundations, corporations and individual donors; also worked to prepare public television stations for broadcast spectrum auctions and changes looming in media technology; and improved services to members by creating new programs.
Lessons learned: Focusing on a few big things to transform your industry makes the association better than reacting to whatever lands in the inbox.
Why this career: Had senior positions at the Washington Post, Bristol-Myers, RCA/NBC and Times Mirror and worked for Sen. Howard Baker and Presidents Ford and Reagan. Wanted to bring experience to public television.
Grew up: Chattanooga, TN.
Why DC: To work with Sen. Baker.
First job: Answering phones in the sports department at the Chattanooga News-Free Press.
Free time: Family, travel and playing mediocre golf.
Family: Married 37 years; three daughters, son-in-law, identical twin grandsons and dog.
Favorite vacation spot: Bermuda
Bucket list: See as much of the world as possible.
Daily habit: Lots of push-ups.
Startling fact: Was a friend of Cary Grant for the last 10 years of his life.

Memorable projects: High level of member engagement, anonymous biannual member survey, which allows them to respond with 100% transparency, and CropLife’s evolved approach to budgeting and issue priorities.
Lessons learned: Find an industry to embrace and engage members.
Why this career: Grew up on a farm and participated in youth organizations before starting high school. Perfect precursor to association work.
Grew up: On a farm in Dover Township, IL
Why DC: Came to work for The Fertilizer Institute.
First job: Bailing hay for $1.10 per hour.
Free time: Waiting to discover free time.
Family: Married 42 years and two sons.
Favorite vacation spot: London
Bucket list: Attend all golf and tennis Majors—three down, five to go.
Daily habit: Exercise
Startling fact: It’s startling that there’s no startling facts about me.

Memorable projects: Leading association through time of industry transformation in ’07-’08; establishment of sustainability goals, which all members commit to; and gaining industry support for the Paper Check-off promotion program, which highlights the importance of paper and paper-based packaging.
Lessons learned: Take the “long view.” It takes a long time to change policy in DC, but persistence and good planning usually pay off. And collaboration and listening to others creates greater opportunities for success.
Why this career: Love politics, even at a young age, and wanted to come to DC. Started on Capitol Hill and later worked as a lobbyist for several companies. Joined AF&PA as VP of government affairs in ’01 and became president and CEO in ’07.
Grew up: Dodge City, KS
Why DC: Came as a college intern and returned to work for former Rep. Henson Moore (LA).
First job: Parents owned a men’s clothing store and started working there at age 13. Dad paid twice the minimum wage with the promise that half would be saved.
Free time: Family, gardening and cooking.
Family: Married 27 years and two daughters. Met husband working on Capitol Hill—he was on the Ways & Means Committee and I was working for a committee member.
Favorite vacation spots: Hawaii, Greece, Istanbul, London, Alaska and Colorado. Going to Peru this summer.
Daily habit: Can’t start without a cup of coffee.
Startling fact: When I was a young staffer on Capitol Hill, I was shot in the chest in my English basement apartment and lived to tell about it.

Memorable projects: Organization has grown 10-fold in size and revenue in the past five years, from $6M to $60M in revenue. Growth is largely due to a paint recycling program, a tremendously successful trade show and an acquisition of our professional society.
Lessons learned: Have patience, listen and remember you’re there to serve your members, not yourself.
Why this career: Worked two blocks down the street, was out of college about a year and heard about an open position. Got the job 36 years ago and became CEO 27 years ago. When I walked through the doors here, had no idea the role of an association.
Grew up: Riverdale, MD.
First job: Delivered an afternoon newspaper called the Washington Daily News.
Free time: Watch too much baseball.
Family: Married 37 years, three daughters, two grandchildren, and two dogs–a Lab/pit mix and beagle/basset hound mix.
Favorite vacation spot: House in Rehoboth Beach.
Daily habit: Read sports pages, make coffee for my wife and exercise.
Startling fact: Have worked for the same organization for 37 years.

Memorable project: Successful transformation of a struggling $4M trade association in 2001 into a vibrant $10M trade association.
Lessons learned: If we aren’t helping members run their businesses better (while being compliant with US antitrust laws), we’re not doing our job. Relevant, insightful and meaningful strategic and tactical information is our currency and how we deliver member value.
Why this career: Had worked in the private sector for 20 years but wanted P&L responsibility and the chance to turn around the organization, using finance, people, sales and transformational change skills.
Grew up: Chicago
Current home: Chicago
First job: Worked in men’s haberdashery.
Free time: Family, golf, reading and charity work.
Family: Married 30 years, three adult children and a Golden Retriever.
Favorite vacation spot: Wife’s family home on 10 acres on the western shore of Michigan. Been in the family over 100 years.
Bucket list: Do the British Open’s eight courses with family.
Daily habit: Start day with short prayer expressing thanks and asking for the Lord to look over family.
Startling fact: In 5th grade operetta, played Abraham Lincoln in Act One, and the back end of Mrs. O’Leary’s cow (Chicago Fire) in Act Two.

Memorable projects: Repositioning association messaging from defensive to offensive, and focusing it on the value that member products bring to consumers and the healthcare system; brought political campaign-style management and tactics to a key issue and reversed a negative trend; refocused and relaunched CHPA’s education foundation; and raised the profitability of association meetings.
Lessons learned: Think like your members and provide return on their investment.
Why this career: Was a member of several industry trade associations and admired the role associations played in business.
Grew up: Philadelphia
Why DC: Interned on Capitol Hill during college and knew it was the place I wanted to live and work.
First job: Mowed lawns, and worked at Burger King and Chick-fil-A.
Free time: Spend it with kids and attending their sporting events and playing golf.
Family: Married 19 years, two children (ages 15 and 17), a Golden Retriever and a cat.
Favorite vacation spot: Kiawah Island, SC
Bucket list: Visit every Presidential library.
Daily habit: Read many newspapers.
Startling fact: In college, traded in Soviet-era black market goods and survived to tell about it.

Memorable projects: In two years, advanced a new membership model that doubled membership from highest point in AH&LA’s 100-year history, changed governance, developed a three-year strategic plan and refocused attention on advocacy while building a significant political presence.
Lessons learned: Setting priorities and ensuring membership is on board with the direction needed is crucial.
Why this career: Was able to organize and lead industries with size and scale to major policy victories.
Grew up: Austin
First job: Scooping ice cream at Baskin-Robbins.
Free time: Family, avid reader, exercise and time outdoors.
Family: Married 15 years; three kids (ages 11, 9 and 7) and a dog.

Memorable projects: Launched an alternative screening program for charter pilots; moved office from Alexandria to DC, which has made a difference in brand, perception and ability to advocate on Capitol Hill and to federal agencies; and grew safety program for training ground service personnel.
Lessons learned: Become educated with challenges of members; overcommunicate; and actively manage relationships inside and outside of the association.
Why this career: Worked in aviation for over 40 years; NATA was a chance to return to roots in general aviation.
Grew up: Fairfield, OH
Why DC: Opportunity to work at NATA.
First jobs: Worked with father, who was a small builder, flipped hamburgers at McDonald’s, stock boy at department store.
Free time: Golf, help wife with gardening, and break perfectly good items and repair them in a mediocre fashion.
Family: Married 36 years, daughter and son, and two cats.
Favorite vacation spot: Charleston, SC
Bucket list: Would like to fly a glider.
Daily habit: Watch Morning Joe and tell wife that I love her.
Startling fact: Worked as a flight instructor in the Navy in the mid-'80s around the time of Top Gun.

Memorable projects: Launched healthful kids’ meals program a few years ago with 19 restaurant brands, representing 2,000 restaurants. Kids LiveWell is now offered at 40,000 restaurants and helping reverse the childhood obesity trend.
Lessons learned: Learning and growing is critical to good leadership. I draw lessons from teenage sons, current and past board chairs, co-workers, board members, academic leaders and TED talks.
Why this career: Trade associations provide a unique window into industries changing the world.
Grew up: Rural Maine
Why DC: To work for the International Dairy Foods Association.
First job: Family’s roadside produce stand and picked berries and vegetables on the farm.
Free time: Hike, bike and spending time outdoors.
Family: Married 21 years and son (16).
Favorite vacation spot: Someplace I haven’t yet been.
Bucket list: Write a book.
Daily habit: Listen to music.
Startling fact: I know how to milk a cow.

Memorable projects: Leading the association to self management; bringing the association's journal in house; and buying ASH's headquarters. Also proud of philanthropic outreach and work with partner hematology societies to improve survival of leukemia patients in Latin Amercia. Now trying to exend that success to Asia.
Lessons learned: We create the environment we work in, so mutual respect and collaboration of staff and volunteers is paramount.
Why this career: Recruited from position as assistant professor of community dentristry at Georgetown University to be special assistant for government relations at the American Dental Education Association. Had to teach myself governmental affairs.
Grew up: Nebraska
Why DC: Came to teach at Georgetown Dental School
First job: Dental hygienist
Free time: Travel (ideally a biking vacation) and golf.
Family: Married to Jim Bader, a dental health services resarcher; son (25) – just finished his Peace Corps service in Nepal.
Favorite vacation spot: Somewhere that can be explored by bicycle.
Bucket list: Bike trip to New Zealand
Daily habit: Starbucks latte, which starts getting prepared as soon as they see my car.