CEO Departures

Washington concludes 22-year tenure at DBIA

The $14 million-revenue, Washington, D.C.-based Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) has announced that CEO Lisa Washington will retire next year, ending more than 22 years with DBIA. Washington will continue to spearhead the organization as the national board and executive recruitment firm Korn Ferry conduct a search for her successor, with the goal of filling the role by mid-2027. 

Washington joined DBIA in 2004 and was named executive director/CEO in 2009. Under her leadership, design-build authorization expanded from fewer than half of U.S. states to 48, the number of DBIA-certified professionals grew from fewer than 100 to nearly 7,000, membership increased from fewer than 8,000 to more than 25,000 and the organization’s operating budget more than tripled, the association said in a statement.

“DBIA is growing and its influence across the industry has never been greater. That position reflects Lisa’s leadership in guiding DBIA through more than two decades of growth and an extraordinary evolution of the design-build industry,” said board chair Virginia McAllister. 

McCormack departing arbitration group

The $151 million-revenue, Washington D.C.-based American Arbitration Association’s (AAA) CEO Bridget McCormack will step down Oct. 2. The AAA board has named former board member and current chief development officer Steve Errick interim president and CEO. The board will be conducting a formal search for the new CEO.

McCormack joined AAA in February 2023 following a decade on the Michigan Supreme Court, where she was chief justice from 2019 to 2022. During her tenure, the AAA greatly increased its annual cases filed to more than 580,000, expanded its mediation practice and international footprint and launched a variety of technology-enabled partnerships, tools, and products. 

“Bridget leaves the AAA stronger, more innovative, and more relevant than she found it,” said J. Michael Kirkland, chair of the AAA-ICDR board. “The strategy she helped build is the institution’s strategy, and it continues without interruption under our interim president and CEO, Steve Errick.”

Smith Sloan to leave aging services group

The $24 million-revenue, Washington, D.C.-based LeadingAge has announced CEO Katie Smith Sloan will step down, effective March 31, 2027. The organization’s board has formed a search committee to identify a new CEO.

Smith Sloan has led the association of nonprofit aging services providers since 2016. She previously was LeadingAge’s chief operating officer, beginning in 2002. 

“I have been privileged to work alongside talented colleagues who go above and beyond every day to advocate for and support our members. I have been inspired by the dedication and creativity of a membership that works tirelessly to ensure older people can live their best lives,” Smith Sloan said in a statement.

Association CEO fired in child porn probe

The National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions said it fired CEO Shawn Gremminger on Sept. 4. Gremminger was arrested on Aug. 27 at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. He is charged with more than 30 counts of possession of child pornography and with unlawful creation of the image of a juvenile, among other charges, according to Fairfax County (Virginia) Police. 

The association named Chief of Staff Jenny Goins interim president and CEO.

“The National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions’ Board of Governors took immediate action to fire the former president and CEO, who is facing criminal charges unrelated to the organization’s members, funders, finances, programs or operations,” the group said in a Sept. 15 statement.

Police began investigating Gremminger after they responded to calls in August about a man allegedly filming two 18-year-old women and a 16-year-old girl in multiple stores at Tysons Corner Mall. Police said he was confronted by the mother of a victim but fled before they arrived. Police identified Gremminger as the suspect by using automatic license-plate readers, they said. 

CEO Arrivals

Rocheleau to lead Airports Council

The $22 million-revenue, Washington, D.C.-based Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA) announced that Christopher J. “Chris” Rocheleau has been selected as its next president and CEO, effective Oct. 5. He succeeds Kevin M. Burke, who will step down on Oct. 4 after nearly 13 years leading the association. Burke will serve as CEO emeritus through the end of 2026.

Rocheleau draws from more than three decades of leadership experience. His career includes over two decades in senior leadership positions at the Federal Aviation Administration. He also served as chief operating officer of the National Business Aviation Association.

“Chris brings a deep breadth of aviation knowledge, proven executive leadership, and relationships across government and industry. He understands the strength of the organization he will inherit and shares our commitment to delivering meaningful value to our members,” said Cindy Nichol, director of airports for Sacramento County and ACI-NA board chair.

Noe to lead Corn Refiners Association

The $8 million-revenue Corn Refiners Association board has chosen Paul Noe (pronounced no-ee) as CEO. After a transition period from Oct. 1 through Jan. 31, 2027, he will succeed John Bode, who earlier this year announced his retirement after 13 years at the helm.

“Paul’s diverse experience and strategic mindset will make him an outstanding leader for the CRA team and a strong champion for America’s corn refining industry,” CRA Board Chair and Primient CEO Jim Stutelberg said in a statement. 

Noe brings decades of experience in complex legal, regulatory, and political issues to CRA. He has spent the last 20 years in senior roles shaping public policy and regulatory strategy for the American Forest & Paper Association and the former Grocery Manufacturers Association (now known as the Consumer Brands Association).

Noe was counselor at the White House Office of Management and Budget during the George W. Bush administration as well as a senior counsel for three different chairmen of the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee. He also worked in private practice, providing legal and policy advocacy for environmental, regulatory, and other issues for clients.

Noe will join CRA Oct. 1. He will assume full leadership of the organization ahead of Bode’s retirement effective Jan. 31, 2027.

“The leadership role John has played in building CRA into a respected voice in American food and agriculture cannot be overstated,” Stutelberg said.

Skodak to helm SBCA

The $7 million-revenue, Billings, Montana-based Structural Building Components Association (SBCA) has named Steve Skodak its new executive director. Skodak succeeds the interim leadership team of Molly Butz and Greg Greenlee, who have served as interim co-executive directors since January.

Skodak has more than 30 years of experience leading trade associations, foundations, and nonprofit organizations. Most recently, he served as CEO of the Building Performance Association and Building Performance Foundation.

“Steve brings a depth of association leadership experience and, just as importantly, a genuine interest in the people and businesses that make an industry successful,” says Larry Dix II, SBCA board president. “SBCA has tremendous momentum, and we are excited to have Steve join us as we continue building on that foundation and advancing the structural building components industry.”

Staff Departures

Association for Accessible Medicines (AAM) — Karin Hessler has left her role as chief legal and IP officer at $22 million-revenue, Washington, D.C.-based AAM. She has rejoined law firm Wiley Rein as a partner in the firm’s intellectual property practice.

National Confectioners Association (NCA) — Lauren Boland has left her role as head of communications at the $33 million-revenue, Washington, D.C.-based National Confectioners Association. She will join strategic communications and public affairs firm The DUX Group as vice president. 

Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) — Erica Froyd has left her role as senior director of advocacy and engagement at the $354 million-revenue, Washington, D.C.-based AAMC. She has joined consulting and government relations firm McAllister & Quinn as vice president of healthcare. 

Staff Arrivals 

The Organic Trade Association (OTA)  — Colin O’Neil has joined the $7 million-revenue, Washington, D.C.-based OTA as senior vice president to lead public affairs. He will also oversee OTA’s political action committee. Throughout his nearly 20-year career, O’Neil has brought together businesses, policymakers, advocates and other stakeholders to advance federal policies addressing organic agriculture, agricultural conservation and climate change, food labeling, chemical regulation and food safety.

Fragrance Creators Association (FCA) — FCA has appointed Ivanna Yang vice president of government affairs. Yang most recently was vice president of government affairs at the Organic Trade Association.

American Farm Bureau Federation — Courtney Briggs and Virginia Houston have been promoted to co-lead the $38 million-revenue, Washington, D.C.-based American Farm Bureau Federation’s government affairs efforts as managing directors. Briggs previously worked at the National Association of Home Builders and Houston is an American Soybean Association alum.

Association of American Railroads — Stacy Linden is joining the $70 million-revenue, Washington, D.C.-based Association of American Railroads as senior vice president of law and general counsel. She was most recently associate general counsel at Meta and is an American Petroleum Institute alum

National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) — Chuck Fuqua has been promoted to senior vice president of strategic communications at the $13 million-revenue, Alexandria, Virginia-based NSSGA. He previously worked for the American Forest & Paper Association.

Financial Services Forum  (FSF) — Adam Finkel is joining the $27 million-revenue, Washington, D.C.-based FSF as vice president of government relations. He most recently worked for Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Georgia) and previously led government relations for the American Academy of Audiology.

Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) — Jeff Dwyer has joined the $9 million-revenue, Ellisville, Missouri-based RFA as director of global policy and regulatory affairs. He previously spent eight years at USDA, most recently as a senior adviser for trade and foreign agricultural affairs.