CEO Departures

Anderson announces retirement from drug stores group

Steven C. Anderson will retire as president and CEO of the $364M-revenue National Association of Chain Drug Stores on Dec. 31, concluding 20 years leading the organization.

“Steve Anderson’s leadership of NACDS over the past two decades has been extraordinary,” said Rick Gates, chair of the NACDS Board of Directors. “He took the helm at a challenging moment and rebuilt NACDS into one of the strongest, most respected healthcare trade associations in the nation.”

During his tenure, Anderson strengthened the association’s financial position, advanced pharmacy benefit manager reform efforts and helped elevate retail pharmacy’s role in the national COVID-19 response, including large-scale testing and vaccination initiatives.

The board will begin a national search for his successor in the coming weeks.

Ireland to retire from cement group

Mike Ireland will retire as president and CEO of the $18M-revenue American Cement Association after eight years leading the organization.

“ACA appreciates Mike’s leadership, spirit of collaboration and the unique sense of humor he is famous for to help navigate the industry through its many successes and challenges over the past several years,” said Monica Manolas, ACA board chair and region president, Ash Grove East.

During his tenure, the association launched its Shaped by Concrete campaign, introduced its Roadmap to Carbon Neutrality strategy and rebranded the 109-year-old organization from the Portland Cement Association to the American Cement Association.

A search committee has been established to identify his successor.

Fried to step down from air cargo group

Brandon Fried will retire as executive director of the $906K-revenue Airforwarders Association at the end of the year, following a long-planned decision announced to members during the group’s general meeting.

Fried has served as executive director since 2005 and was previously elected chair of the board in 2001. During his tenure, the association expanded its corporate membership to more than 225 companies. Prior to leading the association, Fried served as chief operating officer of Adcom Worldwide’s Washington, D.C., station, where he spent more than two decades in leadership roles.

The board has engaged an executive search consultant to identify his successor, with an appointment expected later this year. Fried will continue to lead the association’s advocacy, policy engagement and member activities during the transition.

CEO Arrivals

Wolfe to lead insurance advisory group

Keith Wolfe has been appointed president and CEO of the $29M-revenue American Association of Insurance Services, effective March 1. He succeeds Werner Kruck, who previously announced plans to step down after leading the organization since 2016.

“Keith Wolfe brings the experience, vision and collaborative leadership style needed to advance our mission and guide AAIS through continued innovation and industry change,” said Jill Wagner Kelly, chair of the AAIS Board of Directors.

Wolfe most recently served as chief commercial officer for North America at Guy Carpenter. He joined the firm in 2024 after 27 years with Swiss Re and GE. At Swiss Re, he most recently served as president of U.S. property and casualty.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in fire protection engineering from the University of Maryland and a master’s degree in business administration from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.

Staff Departures

NCTA – The Internet & Television Association— Loretta Polk is retiring as vice president and deputy general counsel for legal and regulatory affairs at $68M-revenue NCTA this month. She has served in the role since 1986.

Staff Arrivals

Airlines for America — $48M-revenue A4A announced several additions to its Global Government Affairs team.

            Mark Copeland has joined as vice president of global government affairs. He most recently served as vice president at O’Keeffe Shahmoradi Strategies and previously was senior policy advisor to Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) and legislative director for Reps. Mark DeSaulnier (D-Calif.)  and Tim Bishop (D-N.Y.).

            Chance Costello is now vice president of global government affairs. He most recently served as a policy advisor in the Office of Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and previously held senior legislative roles in Thune’s office and on the Senate Commerce Committee.

            Jessica Monahan has been named vice president of global government affairs. She most recently served as senior principal at Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies and previously led transportation policy work at the National Association of Counties.

American Benefits Council — Matthew Muma is now senior counsel for health policy at $5.6M-revenue ABC. He most recently served as legislation counsel and health team leader for the Joint Committee on Taxation. Previously, he was an attorney-advisor at the U.S. Department of the Treasury and an associate attorney at Groom Law Group.

Association for Consumer Debt Relief — Robert Swanger is now head of public affairs at ACDR. He most recently served as a senior director at Bully Pulpit International, where he spent more than seven years.

Blockchain Association — Conor Hargen has joined the $7.1M-revenue Blockchain Association as senior attorney. He most recently served as senior counsel at Cboe Global Markets, advising on decentralized finance derivatives projects, corporate strategy, governance and policy matters.