CEO Departures

Monell to retire from child advocacy group

The $13M-revenue National PTA announced Executive Director Nathan Monell will retire from his position at the end of April 2025. Monell has led the organization since 2015. 

“Nathan is an exceptional and strategic executive, and his leadership, passion and expertise have been tremendous assets to National PTA and our members, partners, sponsors and children and families across the country,” said Yvonne Johnson, president of National PTA. “The National PTA Board of Directors and PTA leaders and volunteers nationwide thank Nathan for his contributions over the past 10 years.”

Prior to joining National PTA, Monell was president and CEO of the National Council of Community and Education Partnerships for over four years. He was also president and CEO of Foster Care Alumni of America, a national advocacy association of adults who were in the foster care system as children.

Monell will work with volunteer leadership and staff over the next eight months as the association searches for his successor.

Craighead to leave cruise industry group

The $26M-revenue Cruise Lines International Association announced President and CEO Kelly Craighead will step down from her position at the end of 2024.

“After leading CLIA during the most turbulent time in the industry’s history and helping to steward the industry to new heights since then, Kelly has decided that the time is right for her to seek out her next big challenge,” said Jason Liberty, CLIA’s global executive chair. “While we will be sad to see her go, we’re excited to see what’s ahead for Kelly.”

Craighead has led CLIA since 2019, when she succeeded Cindy D’Aoust. Previously, she was deputy assistant secretary for travel and tourism in the U.S. Department of Commerce. She was also the first executive director of the National Travel and Tourism Office. Earlier in her career, she was the managing director of the Democracy Alliance, a network of donors who support politically progressive causes and candidates.

Heidrick & Struggles will assist in the search for Craighead’s successor.

CEO Arrivals

Pleasance tapped to lead aircraft owners group

The $46M-revenue Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association has tapped Darren Pleasance to be the group’s next president and CEO, effective Jan. 1, 2025. He will succeed Mark Baker, who has led AOPA since 2013. 

“I’m confident that Darren is the right person to lead AOPA into its next chapter,” said Baker. “He is a pilot’s pilot with a genuine passion for flying. He combines that excitement about aviation with leadership experience at some of this country’s top consulting and tech firms, giving him the right balance of business skills and kinship with our members.”

Pleasance has spent the past six years at technology company Cisco, most recently as senior vice president of the company’s Acceleration Center. Previously, he led global customer acquisitions for Google, where he worked for six years, and was a partner at management consulting company McKinsey & Company for 14 years. 

He has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of California, Santa Barbara and a master’s degree in business from the UCLA Anderson School of Management. 

Korn Ferry assisted in the search.

Murphy named leader of accessible medicine group

The $23M-revenue Association for Accessible Medicines announced John A. Murphy, III has been appointed president and CEO. He succeeds David Gaugh, who has served as Interim CEO for the past two years following the departure of Dan Leonard.

“John’s decades-long experience in policy, advocacy and communications on drugs and biologics makes him the right person to lead our industry’s efforts to advocate for policies to increase patient access to lower-cost generic and biosimilar medicines,” said Keren Haruvi, chair of the AAM Board of Directors.

Murphy has spent the past seven years at the Biotechnology Innovation Organization, most recently as chief policy officer and health care counsel. Previously, he was assistant general counsel at the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, where he worked for over three years.

He has a bachelor’s degree in finance and economics from Villanova University and a law degree from The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law.

Felton takes top role at flexible packaging group

The $4M-revenue Flexible Packaging Association has appointed Dan Felton as its new president and CEO. He succeeds Alison Keane, who led the organization for nearly eight years before being named president of the International Sleep Products Association and Mattress Recycling Council.

“(Dan) is a proven leader with tremendous experience in the industry. I am confident Dan has the right approach to successfully navigate the FPA in the years ahead,” said William Jackson, FPA Chair.

Felton has spent the past five years as executive director of the American Institute for Packaging and the Environment (AMERIPEN). Previously, he was director of state and local government affairs at health technology company Philips and vice president of government relations at the International Bottled Water Association.

He has a bachelor’s degree in biology from Gustavus Adolphus College.

Vetted Solutions assisted in the search.

Burroughs to helm transportation intermediaries group

The $7.8M-revenue Transportation Intermediaries Association announced Christopher Burroughs will succeed Anne Reinke as president and CEO at the end of November. Reinke has led TIA since 2020.

“Over the years, Chris has played an integral role in helping TIA become the leader in the supply chain industry, especially when it comes to fighting fraud,” said TIA Board of Directors Chair Mark Christos. “We have made progress on fraud and last week over 100 members and technology leaders in our industry visited with Congressional and FMCSA leaders to further ways to reduce the sharp rise of fraud.”

Burroughs, who joined TIA in 2011, has been the group’s vice president of government affairs for the past six years. He previously worked for lobbying firm Twenty-First Century Group and the U.S. House of Representatives. 

He has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Sheperd University.

Staff Departures

American Chiropractic Association—Jane Zaretskie has left her role as vice president of marketing and member services at $4.6M-revenue ACA. She has joined association management company Association Management Strategies as an account executive. 

Staff Arrivals

American Bankers Association—Lora McCray has joined $151M-revenue ABA as senior vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion. She was most recently vice president of DEI engagement and outreach officer at finance company Freddie Mac.

American Gaming Association—Dara Cohen has been named senior director of strategic communications and media relations of $16M-revenue AGA. She previously worked for MGM Resorts International for a total of nine years, where she was most recently director of regional corporate communications. She was also director of communications for Live! Casino & Hotel.

American Hotel & Lodging Association—Steven Okuley has been hired as senior vice president for conferences and events for $25M-revenue AHLA. He has spent the past three years at American Airlines, where he was director of B2B customer engagement and communication. Earlier in his career, he was associate vice president of national conferences and events at Ruffalo Noel Levitz, a provider of higher education enrollment, student success, and fundraising solutions, where he spent 20 years.

Clean Energy Buyers Association—Nidhi Thakar has joined $9M-revenue CEBA as senior vice president of policy. She was previously vice president of policy and regulatory at energy storage company Form Energy.

National Association of Home Builders—Ken Wingert has been named chief advocacy officer of $70M-revenue NAHB. He joins the group from lobbying firm Monument Advocacy, where he was a principal for the past year. Previously, he spent five years at real estate marketplace Zillow, where he was head of federal government affairs. He also worked for the National Association of Realtors for nearly 14 years, most recently as senior legislative representative.