CEO Departures

Doss to retire from bottled water group 

Joe Doss, president and CEO of the $5.5M-revenue International Bottled Water Association, announced he will retire in 2026 after leading the group since 1999.

“It has been a great privilege to help lead such a wonderful team of members, staff and consultants through many years of transformation, challenge and growth in the bottled water industry, and I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished,” Doss said in a statement.

Doss previously served as senior vice president at the Consumer Healthcare Products Association and as special counsel at Covington & Burling. Earlier in his career, he held legal roles at CHPA and government relations positions at the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association.

He will remain in place during the search for his successor and stay on briefly after a new CEO is named to ensure a smooth transition.

Korn Ferry will assist in the search for Doss’ successor.

CEO Arrivals

Bilello to helm whiskey group 

The newly formed American Whiskey Association has appointed Michael Bilello as its first CEO, effective Sept. 22.

“Michael brings a demonstrated track record of leadership, discipline and a wealth of industry insight to the role,” said Brett Hale, AWA chair. “His appointment is a powerful signal of the AWA members’ commitment to drive global growth for American whiskey.”

Bilello joins AWA from the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America, where he served as executive vice president of strategic communications and marketing and was the group’s primary spokesperson. He previously served as assistant administrator for strategic communications and public affairs at the Transportation Security Administration.

Heidrick & Struggles assisted in the search.

Cochran to lead convenience services group

The $8.4M-revenue National Automatic Merchandising Association has named Christine Cochran as its next president and CEO, effective Dec. 2. She will succeed Carla Balakgie, who is retiring after leading the group for 14 years.

“Christine has consistently demonstrated strategic vision, operational expertise, and a focus on growth. Her track record makes her the right leader to guide NAMA forward. I’m eager to partner with Christine to advance the industry as she focuses on delivering high-impact programs and services for our members,” said NAMA Chair Patrick Moran.

Cochran has served as president and CEO of SNAC International since 2022. She previously was executive director of the Grain Foods Foundation and president of the Commodity Markets Council. Earlier in her career, she held government relations roles at CMC.

She has a law degree from Georgetown University and a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics from the University of Missouri.

Sterling Martin Associates assisted in the search.

Doll named leader of monitoring group

The Monitoring Association has appointed Whitney A. Doll as the $2.4M-revenue group’s next CEO, effective Oct. 1. She succeeds Celia T. Besore, who retired earlier this year after more than a decade with the group.

“The depth and breadth of (Whitney’s) leadership skills set her apart among the candidates we met,” said TMA President Steve Butkovich. “With her combination of knowledge, talents and experience, she is uniquely qualified to strengthen our value proposition and accelerate membership growth and engagement.”

Doll joins TMA from the International Code Council, where she spent eight years in senior leadership roles, most recently as executive vice president of customer engagement. Earlier in her career, she held communications roles at CNA, a nonprofit research and analysis organization focused on safety and security.

Doll holds a bachelor’s degree in international politics from Penn State University and a master’s degree in international politics from American University.

Staffing Advisors assisted in the search.

Homa to lead cytometry group

The $2.6M-revenue International Society for Advancement of Cytometry has appointed Jessica Homa as executive director. She succeeds Courtney Brooks Kamin, who served in the role from 2021 to 2024.

Homa previously spent more than 12 years as executive director of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine. Earlier, she was marketing director at the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

She has a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Maryland.

Sterling Martin Associates assisted in the search.

Staff Departures

American Clean Power Association — Diana Godlevskaya has left her role as deputy director of federal affairs of $62M-revenue ACP to join humanitarian nonprofit Razom for Ukraine as director of government affairs. She spent more than three years at ACP, where she also held  federal affairs specialist and associate roles.

Staff Arrivals

American Financial Services Association — Philip Bohi has been appointed general counsel of $13M-revenue AFSA. He has been with the group since 2017, most recently serving as vice president for compliance education. Earlier in his career, he was managing counsel at Toyota Financial Services and associate general counsel at Fannie Mae.

Bank Policy Institute — $32M-revenue BPI announced the addition of three new staff members.

Devina Khanna has joined as vice president of government affairs. She most recently served as economic policy advisor in the U.S. House of Representatives. Earlier, she was policy manager at the Financial Health Network and a policy analyst at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.            

Jeffrey Luther has joined as vice president of regulatory affairs. He previously was an associate at Covington & Burling and clerked for Vice Chancellor Nathan Cook at the Delaware Court of Chancery. He earlier practiced at Sullivan & Cromwell.

Kristen Royster was named senior vice president of technology, security and resilience strategy. She spent 13 years at Bank of America in senior cybersecurity and risk governance roles and earlier served as director of external affairs for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Cybersecurity and Communications.

Entertainment Software Association — Jason Mahler has joined $36M-revenue ESA as senior vice president for government affairs. He previously was vice president for government affairs at Oracle, where he spent 14 years. Earlier, he was chief of staff to Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) and vice president and general counsel at the Computer & Communications Industry Association.

Health & Fitness Association — Mike Goscinski has been promoted to chief of staff. He joined $11M-revenue HFA in 2022 and most recently served as vice president of government affairs. Earlier, he was senior director of external affairs at the National Automatic Merchandising Association and director of government relations at the American Bakers Association.

            Additionally, Brandon Partridge has joined HFA as chief operating officer. He brings more than two decades of experience in public affairs, business strategy and trade associations. He most recently led 202 Consumer Ventures, advising groups including the National Retail Federation, SNAC International, the National Confectioners Association and the American Frozen Food Institute. 

Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America — Chanse Jones has joined $483M-revenue PhRMA as deputy vice president of public affairs, focusing on media relations. He was previously a vice president at bipartisan government and public affairs firm Forbes Tate Partners. Earlier, he held senior communications roles at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and served as a press aide in the U.S. Senate.

TechNet — Mike Ward has rejoined $14M-revenue TechNet as senior vice president for federal policy and government relations. He previously spent more than eight years at Amazon, where he served as the company’s lead House Republican lobbyist. Ward earlier was vice president for federal policy and government relations at TechNet and chief of staff to former Rep. Todd Rokita (R-Ind.).

U.S. Chamber of Commerce — Keelie Broom has joined the $197M-revenue Chamber as vice president of government affairs. She was previously deputy director of the House’s Congressional Excellence Program and GOP staff director for the House Ethics Committee. She earlier served as an aide to Rep. Burgess Owens (R-Utah).