CEO Arrivals

Julie Anne Fabsik-Swarts to take helm of diving group

Diving Equipment & Marketing Association (DEMA) — Julie Anne Fabsik-Swarts has been named CEO of $3.2 million-revenue DEMA, effective August 4. She succeeds Tom Ingram, who retired at the end of 2025.

“With a strong track record of leadership and a clear vision for the future, (Julie) brings valuable perspective and experience that will help strengthen and grow the association and the industry it serves,” DEMA board chair Dan Orr said in a statement.

Most recently, Fabsik-Swarts was CEO of the Employee Assistance Professionals Association International. She is credited with making the association’s conferences consistently profitable after a prolonged period of losses and with growing membership 400%. 

In addition, Fabsik-Swarts is a certified master diver with more than 28 years of recreational diving experience and over 1,000 dives.

Staff Departures

Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) — Joel Flatow has left his role as senior vice president of artist and industry relations and chief of West Coast operations at $37 million-revenue RIAA, where he was for more than 30 years. He is launching Flatow Strategies.

U.S. Chamber of Commerce — Michael Richards, most recently executive director of policy at the $226 million-revenue Chamber’s Technology Engagement Center, has joined Monument Advocacy.

Intermodal Association of North America (IANA) — Lucy Marvin, most recently vice president of government affairs at the $15 million-revenue IANA, has joined law firm Holland & Knight as a partner with a focus on maritime policy. She has more than two decades of experience including senior executive roles at the Federal Maritime Commission and the Surface Transportation Board.

Staff Arrivals

The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) — Heather Soubra has rejoined $12 million-revenue IDFA as senior vice president of strategic initiatives and industry relations. Soubra previously served as IDFA’s senior vice president of strategic initiatives and chief of staff.

National Ski Areas Association — Adeline DeYoung has joined $7 million-revenue National Ski Areas Association as director of public policy. She most recently worked at Treefera and formerly was on the staff of Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (D-New Mexico).

The Equipment Leasing & Finance Association (ELFA) — Kelli Nienaber has been named senior vice president of industry advancement at $12 million-revenue ELFA. Nienaber will also continue serving as executive director of the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation. 

International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) — Christina Ferreira has joined $44 million-revenue IFPA as vice president of food safety and quality. She spent more than 13 years at the FDA.