CEO Arrivals

Hockstad tapped to lead consumer goods group

The $20M-revenue Consumer Brands Association announced the appointment of Melissa Hockstad as president and CEO of the group, effective Jan. 6, 2025. She will succeed David Chavern who left CBA to lead the American Council of Life Insurers in September. 

“Melissa was a standout candidate from a pool of very talented leaders. She will bring strategic vision, in-depth knowledge and a track record of driving progress and growth to Consumer Brands,” said Linda Rendle, CBA board chair.”

Hockstad will join the group from the American Cleaning Institute, where she has been president and CEO since 2017. Previously, she held vice president roles at the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers and the Plastics Industry Association. 

Spencer Stuart assisted in the search.

Koziel to helm accounting joint venture

The Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, the joint venture of the $242M-revenue American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, announced Mark Koziel will succeed retiring CEO Barry Melancon next year. Melancon joined AICPA as CEO in 1995 and has helmed the joint venture with CIMA since its inception in 2017. 

“Mark is a dynamic, values-led leader with extensive experience and knowledge of our profession. The board looks forward to working with him in leading our members, candidates and the profession into the 2030s and beyond.”

Koziel has spent the past four years as president and CEO of accounting association Allinial Global. He previously spent 14 years at AICPA, most recently as executive vice president of firm services. Earlier in his career, he was a director at accounting firm Dopkins & Company, LLP for nine years.

He has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Canisius University.

Korn Ferry assisted in the search.

Chiazor chosen as next leader of public affairs group 

The $7M-revenue Public Affairs Council announced Nneka Chiazor will take the reins from Doug Pinkham, who is retiring at the end of the year following a 27-year tenure, as president of the organization starting in 2025. 

“Nneka’s selection comes at a unique time in the Council’s growth.  Her extensive corporate experience coupled with her broad public affairs background are the right mix for the next chapter in the Council’s history. Her proven leadership will help the Council engage beyond the public affairs community and demonstrate the value of the function to the business world”

Nneka will join PAC from Cox Communications, where she began working in 2017 and is currently market vice president. She previously was vice president of public policy and government relations at Verizon. 

She has a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Concordia University and a master’s degree in telecommunications management from the University of Maryland Global Campus.

Paska takes the reins at language teaching group

ACTFL, the $14M-revenue organization for language teaching professionals, has appointed Lawrence “Larry” Paska as its next executive director. He succeeds Howie Berman, who led the organization for nearly five years and is now interim executive director of the National Federation of Modern Language Teachers Association. 

"(Larry) stood out among a highly competitive field of candidates due to his exceptional leadership skills and deep understanding of education and professional associations like ACTFL,” said ACTFL President LJ Randolph. “We are confident that under his guidance, the association will continue to thrive and deliver even greater value to ACTFL’s members."

Paska has spent the past eight years at the National Council for the Social Studies, where he was executive director. He previously was director of professional development for the Southern Westchester BOCES (Board of Cooperative Educational Services) in Westchester County, New York. He also spent nine years at the New York State Education Department, most recently as coordinator of technology policy.

He has a bachelor’s degree in history and master’s degree in social studies from Union College, as well as a doctorate degree in curriculum and instruction from the University at Albany.

Sterling Martin Associates assisted in the search.

Staff Departures

American Society of Association Executives—Jeff Evans has stepped down as director of public policy for $21M-revenue ASAE, where he spent over five years. He has joined the Institute for Portfolio Alternatives as head of government and policy. Earlier in his career, he held roles at the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association, National Sleep Foundation and National PTA.

Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association—Joe Brady is no longer director of government affairs for $2M-revenue FCHEA. He has joined public affairs firm Venn Strategies as vice president of critical infrastructure. Prior to joining FCHEA, he was director of government relations for the Federation of Tax Administrators.

National Electrical Manufacturers Association—Stephen Gordon has left his position as director of government affairs at the $23M-revenue electrical manufacturers group and joined Chevron Phillips Chemical as senior manager of government affairs. He started at NEMA in 2022. He previously spent three years at the U.S. House of Representatives and two years at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.