CEO Departures

Calio to retire from airlines group

$45M-revenue Airlines for America announced Nicholas E. Calio will retire upon the expiration of his contract at the end of 2025. Calio has served as president and CEO since 2011. 

“Success has many authors, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without my A4A colleagues who work each day for the betterment of our industry. It is my honor and privilege to work with incredibly talented professionals, who are also wonderful people and loyal friends,” said Calio in a statement.

Prior to joining A4A, Calio led global government affairs for financial services company Citigroup. He also served as assistant to the president for legislative affairs and chief liaison to former Presidents of the United States George W. Bush and George H.W. Bush.

A4A announced they will begin the search for Calio’s successor immediately.

Siegel stepping down at hospitals group

Bruce Siegel, president and CEO of $16M-revenue America’s Essential Hospitals, announced he will retire at year’s end following 14 years in charge.

“Serving our member hospitals and health systems has been my privilege and the capstone of my career,” Siegel said. “But as I approach my 65th birthday, the time is right to pass the torch to a new generation of leaders and devote more time to my family and the next chapter.”

Siegel previously served as a professor and director of the Center for Health Care Quality at The George Washington University, president and CEO of Tampa General Hospital and president of New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (now NYC Health+Hospitals).

CEO Arrivals

Jenkins joins lead surgical technology group

The $3.4M-revenue National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting announced Robin Y. Jenkins has been named CEO of the group. She succeeds Ben Price, who is now president and CEO of the National Board for Certification after leading NBSTSA for nearly 10 years.

“Robin brings a wealth of experience in association leadership, certification management, government relations, and stakeholder engagement. The Board of Directors are confident that Robin’s leadership will propel NBSTSA to new heights, further solidifying our commitment to excellence, integrity, quality, and professionalism as we serve surgical technology and surgical first assistant professionals,” said NBSTSA President Michelle Payne.

Jenkins has spent the past six years at the CGFNS International (formerly the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools), where she was client engagement officer. She has also spent over seven years as executive director of 14 state licensure boards.

She has a bachelor’s degree in social work from George Mason University and a master’s degree in social work from Howard University. 

Korn Ferry assisted in the search. 

Grimaldi tapped to lead direct selling group

The $6M-revenue Direct Selling Association announced Dave Grimaldi has been named the group’s next CEO.

“Dave’s well-rounded experience, including his work in Congress, with federal agencies and in multiple trade associations, has positioned him as a transformative advocacy leader. His well-established connections and deep respect on Capitol Hill, combined with his relentless work ethic and unique skill set, will undoubtedly elevate the DSA’s advocacy efforts to unprecedented levels,” said Danny Lee, DSA board chairman.

Grimaldi will join DSA from the Blockchain Association, where he has served as executive vice president and head of government relations since 2021. He previously spent nearly six years at the Interactive Advertising Bureau, most recently as an executive vice president.

He has a bachelor’s degree in English from Loyola Marymount University and a law degree from The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law.

Wegner to helm index providers group

The $1.4M-revenue Index Industry Association announced Kirsten Wegner has joined the group as CEO. She succeeds Rick Redding, who is retiring after 13 years leading the group.

“We’re incredibly excited to have Kirsten join the Index Industry Association to help us reach the next level in our development and build on our very successful first decade,” said Fiona Bassett, IIA chair. “With her specialized background working with financial institutions, regulators and legislators, Kirsten is uniquely qualified to lead the IIA forward.”

Wegner joins IIA from the recently disbanded education and advocacy organization Modern Markets Initiative, which she led for seven years. Previously, she was government relations director at Nasdaq subsidiary ISE Holdings.

Heidrick & Struggles assisted in the search. 

Mogler named leader of oilseed group

The $2.7M-revenue National Oilseed Processors Association announced Devin Mogler will take over as president and CEO, effective Jan. 27. He will succeed Kailee Tkacz Buller, who is leaving the group to serve as chief of staff to incoming U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary nominee Brooke Rollins.

“As Kailee moves on, we are incredibly pleased to welcome Devin to this new role. His deep industry expertise will allow for a seamless transition and we are confident that Devin will be a champion for our industry and a strong leader for NOPA,” said NOPA Chair Diego Rasteletti.

Mogler will join the group from agri-tech company Green Plains Inc., where he has worked since 2018 and currently serves as senior vice president of investor relations. He also spent six years at the Farmers Cooperative Company, most recently as senior vice president of operations.

He has a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics from Iowa State University.

Staff Departures

Consumer Brands Association—Mike Liptak has left his role as vice president of government affairs at $22M-revenue CBA to join McCarthy Advanced Consulting as an associate. Prior to joining CBA, he held senior advocacy roles at the Travel Technology Association and the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association.

Staff Arrivals

America’s Communications Association—Brian Hurley has been promoted from chief regulatory counsel to senior vice president of legal and regulatory affairs. He joined $6M-revenue ACA (formerly the American Cable Association) in 2018 from the Federal Communications Commission, where he spent nearly 10 years.

American Petroleum Institute—Kristin Whitman has joined $268M-revenue API as senior vice president of government relations. She most recently was vice president of external affairs for chemical manufacturing company Albemarle Corporation. Earlier in her career, she spent 17 years at oil and gas company Shell plc.

American Public Transportation Association—Taria Barron has joined $27M-revenue APTA as general counsel. She spent the past nearly seven years as an attorney at the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. Previously she also was an attorney with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Federal Aviation Administration. 

Clean Energy Buyers Association—Ian Harrison has been named $9.6M-revenue CEBA’s new senior vice president of government affairs. He previously founded and was president of the Bipartisan Climate Fund, a PAC focused on climate change. 

Healthcare Distribution Alliance—Bryan Hannon has joined $27M-revenue HDA as director of state government affairs. He previously served as director of state advocacy and outreach at the American Academy of Physician Associates. 

International Fresh Produce Association—Alexis Taylor has joined $47M-revenue IFPA as chief global policy officer. Taylor most recently served as the undersecretary of trade and foreign agricultural affairs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 

National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies—Tony Cotto has been promoted from director of auto and underwriting policy to assistant vice president and counsel for federal and political affairs at $23M-revenue NAMIC.

National Marine Manufacturers Association—Chase Warden has been named $52M-revenue NMMA’s next chief financial officer, effective Feb. 10. He will join the group from the Land Trust Alliance, where he has served as chief financial and operating officer since 2018. 

National Association of REALTORS—Jarrod Grasso has been named $358M-revenue NAR’s first senior vice president of industry relations. He joined New Jersey REALTORS in 1999 and was promoted to vice president of government affairs in 2002. In 2011, he was named the group’s chief lobbyist before eventually being named CEO.

Plastics Industry Association—Chris Rager has been named $12M-revenue PIA’s vice president of government affairs. He previously spent nearly 12 years at the American Petroleum Institute, where he was a director of state government affairs.