CEO Departures

Jacques to retire from gemology group

The $282M-revenue Gemological Institute of America announced Susan Jacques will step down as president and CEO in 2025.

“Susan Jacques is an incredible leader for GIA and the global gem and jewelry industry,” said Lisa Locklear, chair of the GIA Board of Governors. “Under her expert, compassionate and visionary leadership, GIA has achieved new heights of success in often challenging times. Susan’s dedicated service as president and CEO leaves GIA well positioned to continue to advance its important mission of ensuring the public trust in gems and jewelry.”

Jacques has led the group since 2014, following six months as interim CEO. Prior to joining GIA, she was CEO of Borsheims Fine Jewelry and Gifts in Omaha, Neb., where she spent 31 years.

The search for her successor will be led by Korn Ferry.

CEO Arrivals

Tomaso to lead surgery group

The American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery announced Christina Tomaso has been appointed CEO of the $5.5M-revenue organization.

Prior to joining ABOMS, Tomaso spent nearly six years at the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, where she served as chief operating officer and associate executive director. Earlier in her career, she spent 12 years as an executive director at association management company Smithbucklin.

She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and master’s degree in management from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. 

Tuft & Associates assisted in the search.

Staff Departures

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons—Catherine Hayes has left $46M-revenue AAOS after 14 years with the group. Hayes, who has served as senior director of government relations since 2015, is now executive director of the GOP Doctors Caucus, which is composed of 16 medical providers in Congress.

American Council of Life Insurers—Jack Dolan has retired as vice president of public affairs at $53M-revenue ACLU, where he spent 33 years. 

Staff Arrivals

American Cleaning Institute—$15M-revenue ACI has announced the elevation of several staff members.

            Jessica Ek, previously ACI’s senior director of digital communications, has been promoted to associate vice president of strategic communications. Prior to joining ACI in 2018 as director of digital communications, Ek spent nine years at the American Nurses Association in communications roles.

            Ana Fraisse, who joined ACI in 2023 as manager of sustainability engagement, is now the group’s director of sustainability. She previously spent nearly eight years at nonprofit PYXERA Global.

            Brennan Georgianni has been promoted from senior director of state government affairs to associate vice president of government affairs and strategy. Georgianni, joined the group in 2021 as director of state government affairs, previously was a manager of state government affairs for the Plastics Industry Association.

Bipartisan Policy Center—Dave O’Brien has been named director of executive communications at $31M-revenue BPC. O’Brien previously spent nearly five years at the National Association of Manufacturers, most recently as vice president of strategic communications. 

Career Education Colleges and Universities—Samantha Cornmesser has been named director of member partnerships at $7.6M-revenue CECU. She previously was a marketing manager at MDT Marketing and director of marketing at IT consulting company Signamax.

Healthcare Leadership Council—Sara Karrakchou has joined $6.5M-revenue HLC as director of communications. She previously spent three years at the Healthcare Distribution Alliance, most recently as associate director of digital communications. 

Independent Community Bankers of America—Peter Nelson has joined $45M-revenue ICBA as senior executive vice president of member engagement. He has served as president of the Glenwood State Bank in Glenwood, Minn. since 2006.

International Sign Association—Alicia Auerswald has been promoted to chief operating officer of $7.5M-revenue ISA. Auerswald joined ISA in 2012 as vice president of marketing, membership and communications before being promoted to senior vice president of strategy and marketing in 2022. Previously, she was director of marketing and communications at events services company National Trade Productions, where she spent over six years.

Mortgage Bankers Association—Jamie Woodwell has been promoted from vice president of research and economics to senior vice president of commercial/multifamily policy and strategic industry engagement. Prior to joining $69M-revenue MBA in 2004, he was a manager at financial services company Fannie Mae.

TechNet—Liz O’Bagy has been named director of federal policy and AI policy lead at $14M-revenue TechNet. Previously, she was senior foreign policy adviser to the Democratic senator from Delaware, Chris Coons.

USTelecom | The Broadband Association—$19M-revenue USTelecom announced several promotions to its leadership team.

            Jenna Alsayegh is now the group’s assistant vice president for strategic initiatives. She joined the group in 2018 as director of public affairs. She has since held the roles of director of strategic initiatives & partnerships and senior director of strategic initiatives & partnerships.

            Josh Bercu has been promoted from vice president of policy and advocacy to senior vice president of policy. He previously was executive director of the Industry Traceback Group, a group established by USTelecom in 2015 to identify and combat illegal robocalls.

            Nicole Henry, who has served as USTelecom’s senior director of government affairs, is now the group’s assistant vice president of government affairs. She previously was an executive coordinator at the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association (CTIA).

            Nirali Patel, who joined the group in 2022 as senior vice president of policy and advocacy, has been promoted to general counsel and senior vice president of regulatory and legal affairs. Patel previously was vice president of regulatory affairs at Comcast Corporation.

             Paul Raak has been named senior counselor and vice president of government affairs. He joined USTelecom in 2020 as vice president of government affairs. He previously spent 13 years at the Independent Telephone and Telecommunications Alliance (which closed in 2020), most recently as a vice president.