CEO Departures

Schuster steps down at chemical engineering group

The $47M-revenue American Institute of Chemical Engineers announced Darlene S. Schuster has retired as CEO and executive director after 16 years with the organization.

“Darlene has been instrumental in supporting AIChE’s growth and innovation for more than 20 years, serving as a volunteer, consultant, employee, and CEO,” said Alan E. Nelson, AIChE’s 2024 president. “The board is grateful for her dedication and the many contributions she has made to the organization and its members.”

Schuster also served as chief of technical operations, membership and business development before being named CEO and executive director in 2022.

Victor Bohnert, CEO of association management company Innovatis Group, has been appointed interim CEO of AIChE while the group conducts a nationwide search for Schuster’s successor.

CEO Arrivals

Maietta named leader of hotel association

The American Hotel & Lodging Association announced Rosanna Maietta has been selected as the $25M-revenue group’s next president and CEO, effective Nov. 14. She succeeds William “Chip” Rogers, who left the organization in March after five years at the helm.

Maietta returns to AHLA from the American Clean Power Association, where she has served as chief communications officer and senior counselor to the CEO since August 2022.

“We are delighted to be welcoming Rosanna back to AHLA to lead this dynamic organization,” said AHLA Chair Kevin Jacobs. “AHLA is in a strong position of stability and strength, with an engaged membership, successful advocacy program and a talented and dedicated team. With Rosanna’s reputation as an astute leader and strategist and her proven track record of advancing core missions, evolving organizations, and achieving strong financial outcomes, I am confident that she is the right leader to build on AHLA’s momentum.”

Previously, she was president and CEO of the AHLA Foundation and executive vice president of communications and public relations of AHLA over the course of eight years. She also spent eight years at public relations firm Fleishman-Hillard, most recently as a senior vice president.

She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Ryerson University. 

Russell Reynolds Associates assisted in the search.

Reid to take the reins at veterinary colleges group

The $7.7M-revenue American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges has selected Stuart Reid as the group’s next CEO, effective Aug. 1, 2025. He will succeed Andrew T. Maccabe who stepped down in July after leading the organization for 12 years. 

“Building on Dr. Maccabe’s tenure and working with the AAVMC Board and Assembly of Deans, there has never been a time of greater need for veterinary professionals. I look forward to resolving the challenges faced by our academic institutions and strengthening the profession and relationships with our stakeholders,” said Reid.

Stuart will join AAVMC from the Royal Veterinary College in London, UK, where he has been principal and president since 2011. Previously, he was dean of the University of Glasgow School of Veterinary Medicine for six years. He has also served as secretary on the AAVMC Board twice. He currently serves as president-elect but will be stepping down immediately to avoid conflicts of interest.

He has a bachelor’s degree in veterinary medicine and surgery and doctorate degrees in philosophy and veterinary medicine from the University of Glasgow.

Sterling Martin Associates assisted in the search. 

Washington promoted at sociological group

The American Sociological Association announced Heather Washington has been named the $8.9M-revenue group’s next executive director. She was named interim executive director in May 2024 following the departure of Nancy Kidd, who led the organization for eight years,

“Heather is the whole package — someone who truly understands sociology and ASA from top to bottom, inside and out,” said ASA President Adia M. Harvey Wingfield. “She is an inspiring and dynamic leader, and we could not be more excited to witness how the association progresses under her leadership.”

Washington joined ASA in 2021 as director of diversity, equity and inclusion. She previously was an associate professor at West Virginia University and an assistant professor at the University at Albany, SUNY. 

She has a master’s degree and doctorate degree in sociology from The Ohio State University.

Staff Arrivals

Aerospace Industries Association—Alison Lynn has been promoted from vice president of communications to senior vice president of external affairs at $21M-revenue AIA. She joined the group in 2019 from the American Chemistry Council, where she was a senior director of product communications.

Beer Institute—Caitlin Harder has been named director of public affairs at the $6.3M-revenue group. She joins from public relations firm CLYDE, where she has served as director of public affairs since 2022. She also was director of marketing and communications at information services company Leadership Connect.

General Aviation Manufacturers Association—Carsten Hoyt has been named $8.2M-revenue GAMA’s general counsel and director of regulatory affairs. He joins the group from the Federal Aviation Administration, where he was an attorney-advisor for nearly three years.

International Franchise Association—$24M-revenue IFA announced several changes to its leadership team.

            Erica Farage has been named senior vice president of advocacy and political affairs. She joined IFA in 2012 as director of political affairs and grassroots advocacy before being named vice president of political affairs and grassroots advocacy in 2017. 

            Jeff Hanscom will take on the role of senior vice president of state and local government relations. He was previously vice president of state and local government relations for the group after being promoted from senior director in 2016. He previously was a state and federal lobbyist at the Direct Selling Association.

            Mike Layman has been promoted from vice president of federal government relations to chief advocacy officer. Prior to joining IFA in 2015, Layman spent nearly seven years at the Society for Human Resource Management and was legislative director for Rep. Tim Murphy (R-Mass.).

            Haider Murtaza is now the group’s senior director of federal government relations. Prior to the promotion, Murtaza worked his way up from coordinator of government relations and public affairs to director of government relations and public policy. He joined IFA in 2017. 

            Katherine Patterson, who joined IFA in 2022, has been promoted from senior director of communications and public affairs to vice president of communications. She previously was deputy director for public affairs at the U.S. Department of Transportation and vice president of communications at Finseca.

             Anna Russell has been named director of political affairs. Russell joined IFA in 2022 as manager of political affairs.