CEO Departures

Neuffer to retire from semiconductor industry group

John Neuffer will retire as president and CEO of the $16M-revenue Semiconductor Industry Association during the middle of 2026, concluding an 11-year tenure leading the organization.

“John has been an outstanding leader for the semiconductor industry at a time when U.S. technology leadership truly matters,” said 2026 SIA Board Chair Lisa Su.

Neuffer has led SIA since 2015, overseeing major policy wins for the industry, including enactment and expansion of U.S. semiconductor manufacturing incentives, federal research and development investments, and key trade agreements. Before joining SIA, he served as senior vice president for global policy at the Information Technology Industry Council and previously held senior roles at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, including deputy assistant USTR for Japan and APEC affairs.

Korn Ferry will assist in the search for Neuffer’s successor.

CEO Arrivals

Staudt to lead meteorological group

Amanda Staudt has been named executive director of the $18M-revenue American Meteorological Society, effective March 2026. 

“I am deeply honored and extremely excited to join the AMS team,” Staudt said. “AMS stands uniquely positioned to navigate the opportunities and challenges facing the weather, water and climate enterprise, and I look forward to working with the AMS community to advance our essential contributions to public safety, economic security and environmental stewardship.”

Staudt joins AMS from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, where she most recently served as senior director of Climate Crossroads. Previously, she spent a decade leading the National Academies’ Board on Atmospheric Sciences and Climate and the Polar Research Board. Earlier in her career, Staudt served as a senior climate scientist at the National Wildlife Federation.

She earned a doctorate in atmospheric sciences and a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from Harvard University.

Isaacson, Miller assisted in the search.

Hedrick to lead restoration industry group

Saima Hedrick has been named chief executive officer of the $2.9M-revenue Restoration Industry Association. She succeeds Kristy Cohen, who is departing the organization to pursue a new professional opportunity after six years at the helm.

“I’m honored to step into this role at such a pivotal and positive moment for the RIA,” Hedrick said. “I look forward to working alongside the Board, staff, and members to build on the Association’s momentum and continue delivering value for our community.”

Hedrick joined the association in January and most recently served as executive director of the Society for Research in Child Development. Previously, she was executive director of the Society for the Study of Reproduction and earlier held outreach leadership roles at the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging. She has also provided governance consulting services to national associations, including work with the Council for Exceptional Children.

She earned a master’s degree in public health and a bachelor’s degree in biology from George Mason University.

Staff Arrivals

American Association of Medical Assistants — Annie Storey has joined the $6.5M-revenue AAMA as executive director. In this role, she will work alongside CEO Donald Balasa. She most recently served as executive director of the Illinois Section of the American Water Works Association. Earlier in her career, Storey held senior association management roles at the American Academy of Pediatrics, Agriculture Future of America, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the National Parent Teacher Association.

American Petroleum Institute — Andrea Woods has rejoined $252M-revenue API as director of external communications. She most recently served as acting director of public affairs at the U.S. Department of Energy. Woods previously spent more than three years at API, most recently as director of media relations. Earlier in her career, she held communications roles at the Consumer Brands Association, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the National Association of Manufacturers.

Biotechnology Innovation Organization — Joe Franklin has joined $118M-revenue BIO as chief legal and policy officer. He most recently served as special counsel at global law firm Covington & Burling. Earlier in his career, Franklin held senior legal and policy roles at research organization Verily and spent more than eight years at the Food and Drug Administration.

CFP Board — Ben Roberts has joined $8.4M-revenue CFP Board as managing director of program development. He most recently served as vice president of global human resources and people operations at Silverchair. Previously, Roberts was a senior manager of learning and development at Deloitte, where he led leadership curricula and large-scale professional development initiatives, and earlier held learning and leadership development roles at The Walt Disney Co. and The Coca-Cola Co.

International Fresh Produce Association — Samantha Ayoub has joined $50M-revenue IFPA as director of workforce and business policy. She most recently served as an environment, labor and taxes economist at the American Farm Bureau Federation and previously worked as an economist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service.

National Artificial Intelligence Association — Ryan Streit has joined NAIA as senior adviser. He most recently served as general counsel to the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board and Intelligence Oversight Board at the White House, where he advised two presidentially appointed boards on the lawfulness and effectiveness of U.S. intelligence activities. Earlier in his career, Streit was an attorney in the Office of General Counsel at the National Security Agency and an associate in the litigation practice at global law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison.

Public Affairs Council — Becca Bycott has joined $7.7M-revenue as vice president of strategic partnerships. She was most recently founder and principal of strategic communications firm Meeting the Moment Advisory. She previously served as head of partnerships at the Milken Institute’s Center for Advancing the American Dream and held senior thought leadership roles at FiscalNote.

            Additionally, Ann Cothran has been promoted to director of executive affairs of PAC. She previously served as senior manager of membership at the organization. Before joining PAC, Cothran held membership leadership roles at the American Hotel & Lodging Association and the American Cleaning Institute, and earlier served in member relations positions at the U.S. Travel Association and the National Housing Conference.

U.S. Chamber of Commerce — Brian Wommack has joined the $226M-revenue Chamber as vice president for communications. He most recently led strategic communications consultancy Opal Myth Consulting and previously served as senior vice president for issues and crisis at global public relations firm Ketchum. Earlier in his career, Wommack was senior vice president of communications and executive director of the CRN Foundation at the Council for Responsible Nutrition.