CEO Departures

Coughlin retires from behavioral health group

Shawn Coughlin has retired as president and CEO of the $4.3M-revenue National Association for Behavioral Healthcare after nearly six years leading the organization.

"On behalf of the NABH Board of Trustees, we thank Shawn for his years of service to our association,” said NABH Board Chair Jim Shaheen. “His passion for lobbying has helped guide our members through some critical times and several legislative and regulatory changes. We all wish Shawn continued success.”

Coughlin joined NABH in 2017 as executive vice president for government relations and public policy and became president and CEO in 2020. Earlier in his career, he was principal and chief operating officer of Capitol Health Group, a policy and advocacy consulting firm focused on health care and behavioral health issues. He also previously served as a policy advisor to the National Association of Psychiatric Health Systems, NABH’s predecessor organization.

Former NABH President and CEO Mark Covall has been named interim chief executive while a national search is conducted for Coughlin’s successor. Covall started in the interim role Oct. 1.

Ward to retire from trucking group

Jim Ward will retire as president of the $7.8M-revenue Truckload Carriers Association in the coming months, following a tenure that began in 2022.

“Jim’s leadership has had a lasting impact on TCA and the entire truckload industry,” said Karen Smerchek, TCA chair. “This transition reflects the next step in a carefully considered succession plan, and we are deeply grateful for the stability and strength Jim has brought to the association.”

Since becoming president, Ward has helped strengthen TCA’s influence, expand programs and deepen engagement with members. He previously served as TCA chairman before becoming president and spent 23 years as president and CEO of trucking, warehousing and brokerage firm D.M. Bowman.

TCA has established a search committee to identify his successor.

CEO Arrivals

Tolpegin to lead accreditation group

Tanya K. Tolpegin has been appointed CEO of the $10M-revenue Intersocietal Accreditation Commission, effective Nov. 6. She succeeds Mary Lally, who is retiring after being with the organization since 2007 and serving as CEO since 2016.

“Through the dedicated efforts of our search committee, we conducted an extensive selection process and are confident that Tanya will be instrumental in advancing IAC’s mission of improving health care through accreditation,” said Alexandra Page, chair of the IAC Board of Directors. “Her experience and commitment to excellence will be key as we continue to serve our multi-specialty stakeholders — the very foundation upon which IAC was originally established in 1991.”

Tolpegin brings more than two decades of leadership experience with nonprofit medical organizations. She most recently served as CEO of the American Medical Informatics Association and previously led the American Academy of Audiology, the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography, and the Professional Landcare Network (now the National Association of Landscape Professionals). Earlier in her career, she held management and strategy roles in health care and association leadership.

She holds a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business and a bachelor’s degree in systems engineering from the University of Virginia.

Staff Arrivals

Consumer Brands Association — $22M-revenue CBA has announced four additions to its leadership team.

Laura Rich has joined as vice president of regulatory and technical affairs. Rich spent nearly 18 years at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, where she held senior roles in the Offices of Dietary Supplement Programs, Regulations, and Biologics Evaluation and Research. Most recently, she was counsel at Venable LLP, advising clients on FDA regulatory and policy issues.

Ayani Momin has been named director of state regulatory affairs after 24 years with The Coca-Cola Company, where she most recently served as senior food contact material safety and compliance manager. She led global governance and compliance initiatives within the Scientific and Regulatory Affairs department, developed sustainability programs, and advanced ESG and materials-sourcing standards across the supply chain.

Elizabeth Grier has joined as director of meetings and events. She previously served as senior meetings manager at the National Pest Management Association and held earlier roles at the International Association for the Study of Pain and the National Apartment Association, where she managed large-scale domestic and international conferences and educational events.

Mortgage Bankers Association — $60M-revenue MBA has announced several internal promotions across its leadership team.

Peter Grace has been promoted to chief administrative officer and senior vice president of industry education and technology. Grace joined MBA in 2012 and most recently served as senior vice president of membership, education, technology and strategy. Earlier in his career, he held senior management roles at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development.

Laura Hopkins has been elevated to senior vice president of membership and meetings. She joined MBA in 2017 and most recently served as vice president. Before joining the association, she was senior vice president of sales and marketing at VidVerify and a national account executive with Top of Mind Networks.

John Mechem has been promoted to senior vice president of public affairs and marketing. He has been with MBA since 2006, previously serving as vice president of public affairs. Earlier in his career, he was director of communications at the American Forest & Paper Association.

Jamey Lynch has been promoted to vice president of political affairs. Lynch joined MBA in 2017 and has advanced through several roles in the association’s political engagement programs, including oversight of the Mortgage Bankers PAC and the Mortgage Action Alliance.

Liz Facemire has been named associate vice president of state government affairs. She joined MBA in 2023 after more than a decade with Rocket Companies and Quicken Loans, where she directed state government affairs and public policy.

SNAC International — Matthew Grill has joined $4.3M-revenue SNAC International as vice president of advocacy. He previously served as senior director of congressional relations for the National Pork Producers Council. Earlier in his career, Grill was director of federal relations at The George Washington University and spent nearly seven years in the U.S. Senate, most recently as assistant bill clerk.