CEO Departures

Keller to retire from financial planning group

The $4.5M-revenue CFP Board (Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards) announced Kevin R. Keller will be retiring as CEO of the group, effective April 30, 2026. Keller has led the organization since 2007 and is credited with growing the number of CFP professionals nearly 70% during his tenure.

“Kevin's visionary leadership has transformed CFP Board and the financial planning profession,” said Liz Miller, chair of the Board of Directors of CFP Board. “Under his stewardship, CFP Board has achieved unprecedented growth and awareness while elevating the standards of the financial planning profession. The organization is well-positioned for its next chapter of leadership and continued success.”

Keller joined CFP Board from the Association for Financial Professionals, where he spent 16 years, including seven as senior vice president and chief operating officer.

CFP Board has established a search committee and will be conducting a national search later this year. 

Cohlmia steps down at dental group

The $141M-revenue American Dental Association announced Raymond A. Cohlmia has resigned as executive director, a position he has held since November 2021. ADA has appointed Elizabeth Shapiro, the group’s chief of governance and strategy, as interim executive director.

“Each executive director in our history, including Dr. Cohlmia, has been instrumental to our success. The ADA Board of Trustees greatly appreciates Dr. Cohlmia’s contributions to the Association during the course of his 30 plus-year career, including the past four years as executive director, and wishes him well,” said Brett Kessler, ADA president. 

Prior to joining ADA, Cohlmia spent over a decade at the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry. He was appointed dean in 2015. Previously, he ran a private dental practice for 26 years.

CEO Arrivals

Klingler to succeed Buckley at government employees group

The $6.7M-revenue Government Employees’ Benefit Association announced Gregory Klingler will succeed Mona Buckley as president and CEO, effective March 31. Buckley has led GEBA since 2021. Previously, she helmed ARMA International and the Professional Insurance Marketing Association. 

“The Board is extremely grateful to Mona for the expertise she has provided to grow GEBA’s market presence and organizational strength — and to position GEBA and Greg for the future,” GEBA 2025 Board Chair Lavade Phillips said. “Greg brings a deep knowledge of all-things GEBA having served us in various role for almost 15 years. The Board is confident in and excited about his next phase of GEBA leadership.”

Klingler joined GEBA in 2010 as director of products and member services. In 2017, he was named vice president of GEBA Wealth Management, a division of the organization offering financial planning services. Most recently, he has served as chief operations officer and deputy CEO. Earlier in his career, he spent over 14 years as a financial advisor for insurance agency Cape Securities in McDonough, Ga.

He has a bachelor’s degree in finance and information technologies from the University of Maryland and a master’s degree in financial management from the University of Maryland Global Campus.

Lefeve named leader of car rental group

The $318K American Car Rental Association announced Don Lefeve has been named the group’s executive director. He succeeds Sharon Faulkner, who is retiring from the role after over 14 years in charge. She will stay with ACRA as membership director. 

“(Don’s) extensive experience in association management and government relations will be instrumental as ACRA continues to advocate for pro-business policies for the car rental industry. With Don’s leadership, ACRA is well-positioned to expand its presence in Washington, D.C. and drive meaningful policy change,” said Sharky Laguna, president of the ACRA Board of Directors.

Lefeve has spent the past four years at autonomous technology company Forterra, most recently as vice president of corporate affairs. Previously, he was president and CEO of the Commercial Vehicle Training Association, where he spent eight years.

He has a bachelor’s degree in history from Randolph-Macon College and a law degree from George Mason University’s Antonin Scalia Law School.

Staff Departures

American Chemistry Council—Karyn Schmidt has left her post as senior director of regulatory and scientific affairs at $181M-revenue ACC following nearly 25 years with the organization. She has joined law firm Squire Patton Boggs as principal.

American Dental Association—Chris Tampio has left his role as chief lobbyist of $141M-revenue ADA, where he spent the past eight years, to join dental support organization Heartland Dental as vice president of government affairs.  

Staff Arrivals

American Society of Association Executives—Kyle Hanes has joined $21M-revenue ASAE as senior director of public policy. He joins the group from the Commercial Vehicle Training Association, where he most recently was vice president of government affairs. 

Children’s Hospital Association—Karl Rishe has joined $46M-revenue CHA as chief learning and member experience officer. He previously spent nearly three years at business consulting company the telos institute as director and senior consultant. 

Investment Company Institute—Erica Elliott Richardson is now chief of staff to ICI president and CEO, in addition to her current role as chief strategic communications officer at $84M-revenue ICI. She previously spent over two years as the director of the Office of Public Affairs for the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission and was managing director for FTI Consulting. 

Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America—$483M-revenue PhRMA announced two additions to its public affairs team.

            Kelly Langford has joined as a senior director, focusing on paid media. She spent the past three years at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, most recently as a paid media director.

            Kim McCune has been named senior director of executive visibility. She spent the past nearly 10 years at Powell Tate, the public affairs unit of The Weber Shandwick Collective, most recently as vice president of executive visibility. 

Retail Industry Leaders Association—Sarah Gilmore has been promoted from director of government affairs to senior director of government affairs at $19M-revenue RILA. Previously, she spent over two years at Airlines for America, most recently as coordinator of global government affairs.