CEO Departures 

Long-time CHPA leader Melville to depart

The $23 million-revenue, Washington, D.C.-based Consumer Healthcare Products Association said President and CEO Scott Melville will step down early next year after 16 years. 

“Since becoming president and CEO in 2010, (Scott) has led a period of significant growth and transformation for CHPA, expanding the association from its traditional focus on over-the-counter (OTC) medicines to become the leading voice of the broader self-care industry,” the association said in a statement. “By bringing together OTC medicines, dietary supplements, and OTC medical devices under a unified vision for self-care, he strengthened CHPA’s influence with policymakers, regulators, healthcare stakeholders, and consumers, while reinforcing the association’s reputation as a trusted advocate grounded in science, guided by facts, and committed to responsible leadership.”

“On behalf of the Board and our members, I want to express our deep gratitude to Scott for his extraordinary leadership and unwavering commitment to CHPA and the self-care industry,” Greg Bradley, chairman of Foundation Consumer Healthcare and chair of the CHPA board, said in a statement.

The organization said it would begin a search for Melville’s successor.

American Trucking Associations CEO suddenly steps down  

The $48 million-revenue, Washington, D.C.-based American Trucking Associations (ATA) CEO Chris Spear abruptly left his role on August 21, the association said in a statement. In 2024, ATA had extended Spear’s contract until 2029.

“Chris Spear informed our Executive Committee today that he will be departing the American Trucking Associations, effective immediately,” ATA Chair Greg Hodgen said in an August 21 statement. “On behalf of ATA, I thank Chris for more than a decade of service to the association and our industry. During his tenure, ATA secured significant policy victories, strengthened its advocacy operation, and elevated trucking’s voice in Washington.”

Hodgen organization said it will form a search committee to find his successor.

“One of Chris’ most important accomplishments was assembling an exceptionally talented and experienced team to represent this industry. ATA has the advocacy horsepower to keep advancing our priorities without missing a beat,” Hodgen said. “From our policy experts and technical professionals to our government affairs and communications teams, we have a world-class operation working together to deliver results for our members. That depth, expertise and shared sense of purpose will continue to drive our association forward, regardless of who is at the wheel.”

CEO Arrivals 

Ziemnisky to helm dairy deli bakery food association

The $14 million-revenue, Madison, Wisconsin-based International Dairy Deli Bakery Association (IDDBA) has named Paul Ziemnisky as president and CEO, effective Sept. 8. He succeeds Bill Haaf, who left the IDDBA earlier this year to join FMI — The Food Industry Association.

Ziemnisky most recently served as group executive vice president of health and wellness, insights and innovation at Dairy Management Inc., where he worked for 11 years. Before Dairy Management, Ziemnisky was vice president and general manager of consumer-packaged goods at Oil-Dri Corporation of America.

“Paul is a proven leader with a rare blend of CPG brand-building expertise and deep industry roots,” said Jody Barrick, chair of the IDDBA board of directors.

Estate attorneys’ group taps Briggs

The $9.1 million-revenue American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC) announced that Jennifer Briggs would become CEO, effective September 9. She will succeed Deborah O. McKinnon, who is retiring after 17 years at ACTEC.

Briggs is currently executive vice president and CEO of the Texas Society of Architects, which represents nearly 8,000 members. Since assuming that role in 2021, she has led strategic, operational, and financial initiatives that strengthened organizational performance, enhanced member engagement, and aligned resources with long-term priorities. She oversees a $6 million budget and a hybrid team of professional staff and consultants.

Before that, Briggs spent nearly two decades with the Indiana CPA Society, where she held a series of leadership roles culminating in her appointment as president and CEO.

Executive recruiting firm Vetted Solutions assisted in the search.

Staff Arrivals

National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) — Brianna Robinson-Verloop is joining the $5 million-revenue NASDA as senior director of public policy. She was most recently director of animal and animal products at the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service.