CEO Departures

Busky to step down from infectious diseases group

The $38M-revenue Infectious Diseases Society of America announced Chris Busky will be stepping down as CEO to spend more time with his family. He will remain in his position until Jan. 2, 2026.

“I wholeheartedly want to thank Chris for his outstanding leadership and service to IDSA over the past nine years,” said IDSA President Tina Tan. “He has contributed tremendously to the growth of the Society including leading the organization very effectively through the COVID pandemic, expanding our reach and influence domestically and internationally, increasing our membership, guiding the board of directors through extraordinarily well-developed strategic planning and refining the Society’s strategic priorities. We have all benefited immensely from his leadership.” 

Prior to joining IDSA in 2016, Busky spent over a decade at the Heart Rhythm Society, his final role there being executive vice president and chief operating officer. He was also vice president of business operations for the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association and spent over eight years at the Manufactured Housing Institute.

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

CEO Arrivals

Sununu to helm aviation group

Former New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu has been named president and CEO of Airlines for America, effective Sept. 9. He will succeed Nick Calio, who led the $45M-revenue association for 15 years and will remain as CEO emeritus through year’s end.

“Chris is absolutely the right leader for this crucial industry in the years to come,” said A4A Board Chairman Scott Kirby. “He’s demonstrated strategic vision, operational expertise and a knack for getting hard things done.”

Sununu served four terms as governor of New Hampshire from 2017 to 2025. He earlier spent six years on the state’s Executive Council and served as CEO of Waterville Valley Ski Resort.

Sununu holds a bachelor’s degree in civil and environmental engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Heidrick & Struggles assisted in the search.

Staff Arrivals

Digital Chamber — Anastasia Dellaccio has joined the $4.2M-revenue group as executive director of state and regional affairs. She most recently served as senior vice president of external affairs and engagement at the Export-Import Bank of the U.S. Earlier, she held positions in public policy and stakeholder engagement at Core Scientific, Booz Allen Hamilton and WeWork, and worked at the UN Foundation and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. 

National Association of Manufacturers — $62M-revenue NAM announced several staff changes.

            Ted Allen has joined as senior director of corporate finance policy. He previously was vice president of policy and advocacy at the Society for Corporate Governance, where he led advocacy before Congress and financial regulators. Earlier, he spent nine years at the National Investor Relations Institute, including as vice president of communications and member engagement.

            Kevin Doyle has been named director of international policy. He previously worked at the U.S. Department of Commerce for nearly six years, most recently as an international trade specialist in the Supply Chain Center. He earlier was a policy advisor in the Office of the Under Secretary and Deputy Under Secretary for International Trade.

            Reagan Giesenschlag has joined as director of chemicals, materials and sustainability policy. She most recently served as director of government affairs at the Fertilizer Institute, where she also was government affairs manager.

National Multifamily Housing Council — $27M-revenue NMHC announced several staff promotions.

             Matthew Berger has been promoted to senior vice president and head of policy. He joined NMHC in 2010 and has held vice president roles overseeing tax policy and student housing. Before that, he worked nearly five years on the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee for Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) in positions including economist and press secretary. He earlier served as a national tax manager at Deloitte.

             Lisa Blackwell is now senior vice president and head of political strategy. She has been with NMHC since 2002, holding multiple housing policy leadership roles. Most recently, she served as vice president for construction, development and land use policy. She earlier directed NMHC’s energy and environmental policy portfolio and began her tenure as a senior legislative analyst.

            Cindy Chetti has been named chief advocacy adviser. She has led NMHC’s government affairs operation since 2011 as senior vice president of government affairs, where she managed a 14-person team and oversaw the group’s federal legislative and regulatory agenda. Earlier, she spent 17 years on the House Financial Services Committee as senior policy adviser and professional staff member.

            Paula Cino has been promoted to senior vice president and head of legal advocacy. She has led NMHC’s housing policy team for more than two decades, including serving as vice president of construction, development and land use policy. She previously held roles as senior director and director of energy and environmental policy, as well as senior legislative analyst.

Plastics Industry Association — Ivy Brittain has joined $12M-revenue PIA as regional director of state government affairs. She previously was legislative affairs director for the Northern California Water Association and earlier served as senior regulatory advocate at the Association of California Water Agencies. She also worked for more than six years as a legislative advocate at the San Diego County Water Authority.

            Also, Hodayah Finman has joined as senior director of regulatory affairs. She spent more than 15 years at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, most recently as acting director and deputy director of the Office of International Affairs. Earlier, she was a senior foreign affairs officer at the U.S. Department of State.