CEO Arrivals

Ridnouer takes the reins at flexography group

Nathan Ridnouer has been named president of the $475K-revenue Flexographic Technical Association, according to an announcement on his LinkedIn profile. He succeeds Brad Pareso, who stepped down from the role in July after leading for a year.

Ridnouer was most recently senior vice president of program delivery at CompTIA (the Computing Technology Industry Association), where he spent a year. Previously, he spent nearly 15 years at the Specialty Equipment Market Association, most recently as vice president of membership, education, research and councils. He also spent six years at the Consumer Technology Association earlier in his career.

The Workplace Advisors assisted in the search. 

Reitzell to helm ski industry group

Mike Reitzell has been appointed president and CEO of the $5.8M-revenue National Ski Areas Association. Former president and CEO Kelly Pawlak announced earlier this year she would be leaving the group, which she’d led since 2017. Reitzell has been president of Ski California, the trade association representing 35 ski resorts in California and Nevada, for the past nine years.

“Mike’s passion for the ski industry and his impressive achievements on behalf of Ski California make him the perfect fit for this role,” said Chip Seamans, NSAA board chair and hiring committee leader. “Mike has consistently demonstrated his commitment to the industry through innovative programs and a collaborative approach, which have elevated Ski California to new heights.”

Prior to joining Ski California in 2015, Reitzell was an attorney for 14 years, working at law firms Duane Morris and Hancock Rothert & Bunshoft (which merged with Duane Morris in 2006).

Reitzell has a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from the University of Southern California and a law degree from the University of California, Davis School of Law.

Interim leader named at writer group

The $3.5M-revenue Association of Writers and Writing Programs announced Michelle Aielli has been named interim executive director. Former executive director Cynthia Sherman retired from the organization in June following five years at the helm. 

“As writers, we understand the power of storytelling, and with Michelle Aielli at the helm as interim executive director, I am confident that AWP’s narrative will continue to grow in strength and reach,” said AWP Board of Directors Chair January Gill O’Neil.

Aielli has spent the past 10 years at book publisher Hachette Book Group, most recently as vice president and publishing director of Hachette Books. She previously worked for publishing companies Little, Brown and Company, Perseus Books Group, Penguin Random House and HarperCollins Publishers. Aielli also joined the AWP Board of Directors in 2020 before resigning to accept the interim position.

AWP has launched a national search for Sherman’s permanent successor, according to a press release from the group.

Staff Arrivals

American Council of Engineering Companies—$20M-revenue ACEC announced two additions to its advocacy team.

     Jordan Baugh has joined as vice president for water and environment. He previously spent over 16 years on Capitol Hill, most recently as a democratic senior policy advisor for the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.

     Bradley Saull has been named vice president for federal and international programs. He was previously vice president of civilian agencies at the Professional Services Council, where he spent six years. He has also worked for Dell Technologies, the U.S. House of Representatives, and Deloitte.

Outdoor Industry Association—Jaclyn Levy has joined $4.2M-revenue OIA as senior director of advocacy and government affairs. She most recently spent three years as director of U.S. policy at VC fund AMR Action Fund. Previously, she was director of public policy at the Infectious Diseases Society of America, where she worked for five years.

TechNet—April Mellody has been appointed $14M-revenue TechNet’s inaugural senior vice president of communications. She previously founded and was CEO of Ballina Strategic Communications. She also spent nearly five years at Group Nine Media, where she was chief communications officer. 

Women In Trucking—Alyssa Kirkman has been named senior director of membership. She joins $2.9M-revenue WIT from the International Facility Management Association, where she was communications and marketing manager of membership. Previously, she held roles at the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association, CORFAC International and the National Glass Association.