CEO Departures

Bober to step down at pet advocacy group

Mike Bober announced he will be stepping down as president and CEO of the $2.2M-revenue Pet Advocacy Network to pursue new opportunities, according to a LinkedIn post from the group. 

Bober joined PAN in 2013 as vice president of government affairs before being named executive vice president the following year. In 2015, he was appointed president and CEO. Prior to PAN, Bober served as coalitions director of the National Republican Congressional Committee, where he spent four years.

PAN also announced that Chief Operating Officer Robert Likins will serve as interim CEO as the search for Bober’s successor begins.

CEO Arrivals

Berman to helm parent-teacher group

National PTA has named Howie Berman as the $16M-revenue group’s next executive director. He succeeds Nathan Monell, who retired from the position in April following a decade in charge.

“Howie brings extensive experience in education and the nonprofit association space, which will be a tremendous asset as our association continues our critical work to make a difference for the education, health, safety and well-being of every child and make sure all children, families and schools have what they need to thrive,” said Yvonne Johnson, president of National PTA.

Berman most recently served as interim executive director of the National Federation of Modern Language Teachers Associations. Previously, he spent nearly 13 years at the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, where he led for five years. He also spent six years at the American Society for Cell Biology.

He has a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Richmond and a master’s degree in Middle Eastern studies from the University of Chicago.

Mersinger named leader of crypto group

The $7.3M-revenue Blockchain Association has appointed Summer Mersinger to be its new CEO, effective June 2. She will succeed Kristin Smith, who stepped down as CEO earlier this month to helm the Solana Policy Institute.

“This is a pivotal moment for crypto policy, and we are confident that (Summer) is the ideal leader to take Blockchain Association, and the industry, to new heights,” said Marta Belcher, president of the board of Blockchain Association.

Mersinger has spent the past three years as commissioner of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, where she has worked since 2019. Previously, she spent nine years as deputy chief of staff for Senator John Thune (R-S.D.).

She has a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Minnesota and a law degree from The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law.

Staff Departures

National Pork Producers Council—Chase Adams is no longer assistant vice president of $25M-revenue NPPC. He has joined government affairs firm Milne, Wiener & Shofe Global Strategies as senior vice president.

Staff Arrivals

American Clean Power Association—Artealia Gilliard has been named $62M-revenue ACPA’s new chief communications officer. She most recently served as head of sustainability communications and advocacy at Ford Motor Company, where she spent four years. She also was director of communications and digital media at the Center on Global Energy Policy.

Biotechnology Innovation Organization—Alex Przybelski is now vice president of digital communications and strategy at $114M-revenue BIO. He previously spent nearly six years at the National Association of Manufacturers, most recently as director of digital strategy.

Business Roundtable—Seth Williford has joined the $65M-revenue Business Roundtable as senior director for policy. He previously served as general counsel to Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.). 

Lochlin Partners assisted in the search.

Consumer Bankers Association—Kyle Glenn has joined $17M-revenue CBA as senior vice president and head of legislative affairs. He joins the group after over six years at the Futures Industry Association, where he most recently served as vice president of U.S. government relations. Previously, he served as chief of staff for Rep. Dennis A. Ross (R-Fla.).

INCOMPAS—Staci Pies has been named senior vice president of government affairs and policy of $5M-revenue INCOMPAS. She has spent nearly the past five years at telecommunications company Crown Castle, where she held the title of vice president of public policy and government affairs. Earlier in her career, she also held senior roles at Google and Microsoft.