CEO Departures

Weiss to retire from thoracic surgeons group

Elaine Weiss has announced plans to retire as CEO and executive director of the $42M-revenue Society of Thoracic Surgeons. She joined the organization in 2019.

“Ms. Weiss has been a superb leader for STS, collaborating closely with surgeon leaders to advance the Society on multiple fronts over the past seven years,” said STS President Vinay Badhwar.

The organization has formed a search committee to identify her successor and retained Spencer Stuart to assist in the process.

CEO Arrivals

Parker to lead sports medicine group

Corey J. Parker has been selected as CEO of the $9.3M-revenue American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, effective April 6. He succeeds Greg Dummer, who announced plans last year to retire after leading the organization since 2016 and will remain through the 2026 Annual Meeting to support the transition.

“As AOSSM continues to evolve, Corey’s business acumen and forward-looking mindset position him exceptionally well to guide the Society with purpose and momentum,” said AOSSM President Eric McCarty.

Parker most recently served as chief operating officer of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, where he oversaw a 65-person staff and a combined operating budget exceeding $30 million. He previously served as executive director of surgical accreditation at the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education and held leadership roles at Barrow Neurological Institute.

He holds a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Illinois Chicago and bachelor’s degrees from Illinois State University and Jackson State University.

Tuft & Associates assisted in the search.

Banks named leader of counseling group

Brian D. Banks has been appointed CEO of the $16M-revenue American Counseling Association. He previously served at the association from 2019 to 2024, including four years as chief government affairs and public policy officer. He succeeds Shawn Boynes, who stepped down last April following nearly three years at the helm.

“Given his ongoing commitment to advancing the counseling profession, as well as his skill in relationship development and organizational leadership, we knew he was the right person to lead our organization into its next phase,” said ACA Governing Council President M. Elsa Soto Leggett.

Banks most recently served as executive director of the Policy, Advocacy & Research in Counseling Center and chief government affairs officer at the National Board for Certified Counselors. Earlier in his career, he held senior policy and advocacy roles at MGM Resorts International and the Capital Area Food Bank and served as legislative liaison for the secretary of the Air Force.

He holds a master’s degree in legislative affairs from The George Washington University and a bachelor’s degree in organizational communication from Salisbury University.

The Moran Company assisted in the search.

Melendes to lead turnaround group

Christine Melendes has been appointed CEO of the $5.4M-revenue Turnaround Management Association, effective March 3. She succeeds Scott Stuart, who now leads INSOL International following a seven-year tenure at TMA.

“It is an honor to serve as CEO of the Turnaround Management Association and to lead a community that defines excellence in corporate renewal,” Melendes said.

Melendes most recently served as chief commercial officer at the Association for Corporate Growth. She previously held senior leadership roles at the American Epilepsy Society and earlier spent more than a decade at ACG Global, where she served as senior vice president of events and strategic projects.

She holds a master’s degree in business administration from Loyola University Chicago and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee.

Sterling Martin assisted in the search.

Gelb to helm engine manufacturers group

Jacqueline Gelb has been appointed president and CEO of the $8.8M-revenue Engine Manufacturers Association, effective March 2, according to a LinkedIn post.

Gelb most recently served as president of the American Truck Dealers, a division of the National Automobile Dealers Association. Previously, she was vice president of energy and environmental affairs at the American Trucking Associations and spent more than a decade at vehicle manufacturer Navistar (now International Motors), where she served as vice president of government affairs.

She succeeds Jed Mandel, who stepped down as president in September 2025 after leading the association for 25 years.

Spencer Stuart assisted in the search.

Fennig to helm pet food group

Elise Fennig has been named president and CEO of the $5.6M-revenue Pet Food Institute, effective March 16. She succeeds Dana Brooks, who has led the organization since 2018.

“Elise is an accomplished executive with deep experience across the food industry and a strong understanding of the issues facing manufacturers today,” said Scott Salmon, chair of PFI’s Board of Directors.

Fennig most recently served as chief of staff and senior vice president of industry engagement at the National Confectioners Association. She previously held leadership roles at the Consumer Brands Association, the American Frozen Food Institute and The Kraft Heinz Company.

She holds a graduate degree in public relations from the University of Florida and a bachelor’s degree in foreign affairs and Spanish from the University of Virginia.

Bell to lead truck dealers group 

David Bell has been appointed president of the American Truck Dealers, effective March 2. He succeeds Jacqueline Gelb, who took over the organization in December 2024.

“David’s considerable experience in transportation policy will make him a successful leader for America’s franchised truck dealers,” said Kevin Holmes, ATD chairman and president of Advantage Truck Group.

Bell most recently served as director of the Office of Governmental Affairs, Policy and Strategic Planning at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. He previously served as director of legislative affairs at ATD and as director of government relations at the American Traffic Safety Services Association.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and political science from Rutgers University.

Staff Departures

National Oilseed Processors Association— Katie Vassalli has left $4.3M-revenue NOPA to join The Transport Project as director of regulatory affairs. She most recently served as vice president of regulatory affairs at NOPA and previously held regulatory leadership roles at the International Liquid Terminals Association.

Retail Industry Leaders Association — Austen Jensen will leave $22M-revenue RILA next month to join Best Buy as vice president of federal affairs. He spent more than 10 years at RILA, most recently serving as senior executive vice president, and previously led the association’s government affairs portfolio.

Staff Arrivals

American Bankers Association — Lia Fordjour has been named chief financial officer of $175M-revenue ABA. She previously served as ABA’s senior vice president for planning and reporting. Before joining ABA in 2022, she was chief financial officer of the United Nations Foundation and spent more than a decade at Discovery Communications in senior financial leadership roles.

Additionally, Tifany Pedersen has been named head of marketing. She most recently served as head of global brand marketing for Alexa and Amazon Devices at Amazon. Previously, she held senior marketing roles at Marriott International and Capital One and earlier worked at the Association of Financial Professionals.

Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International — Benjamin Haas has joined $6M-revenue AUVSI as vice president of government affairs. He most recently served as chief of staff of the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security and previously was principal senior advisor in the Office of the National Cyber Director at the White House.