CEO Arrivals

Wells to lead diagnostics and laboratory medicine group

Melanie J. Wells has been named CEO of the $24M-revenue Association for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine, effective Jan. 30, 2026. She will succeed Mark J. Golden, who has led the organization since 2020.

“Melanie brings more than two decades of leadership across global health, nonprofit management and the scientific community,” said ADLM President Paul J. Jannetto. “Her balanced, relationship-driven approach to organizational growth and long-term strategy stood out to the search committee, and we are confident she will help strengthen ADLM’s connection to members and the broader laboratory medicine community.”

Wells previously served for two years as CEO of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics and the ACMG Foundation for Genetic and Genomic Medicine. Earlier in her tenure with the organization, she was chief operating officer and director of administration. She has also held leadership roles with the Society for Public Health Education, Booz Allen Hamilton and the Capital City Area Health Education Center.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a master’s degree in public health from the University of South Florida. 

Staffing Advisors assisted in the search. 

Zebley to helm telemedicine group

Kyle Zebley has been named CEO of the $5.8M-revenue American Telemedicine Association, effective Dec. 10. He will succeed Ann Mond Johnson, who is retiring after leading the organization since 2018. Zebley will continue serving as executive director of ATA Action, the association’s advocacy arm.

“Kyle Zebley is uniquely equipped to lead the ATA at this time, having significantly contributed to our success over the past five years as a trusted industry voice and policy strategist,” said Nathaniel Lacktman, chair of the ATA board of directors. “He has the full backing of myself and the board, and we look forward to his leadership in continuing to deliver value to our members.”

Zebley joined the ATA in 2020 and has served in a series of public policy leadership roles, most recently as senior vice president for public policy. He launched ATA Action in 2022 and has played a central role in state and federal telehealth advocacy, coalition building and regulatory strategy.

Before joining the ATA, Zebley held senior positions at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, including chief of staff for the Office of Global Affairs. 

Maurer to lead gambling harm prevention group

Heather L. Maurer has been appointed executive director of the $2.3M-revenue National Council on Problem Gambling, effective Jan. 7. She will succeed Keith Whyte, who stepped down earlier this year after more than two decades leading the organization.

“Ms. Maurer emerged early as a strong candidate in a highly competitive search,” said Derek Longmeier, president of NCPG’s board. “Her ability to build national partnerships, elevate organizational influence and advance advocacy initiatives will be invaluable as NCPG works to broaden awareness and unite stakeholders in addressing problem gambling nationwide.”

Maurer joins NCPG from the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health, where she served as CEO. Earlier in her career, she was executive director of the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education and held business development and marketing roles at Wiley Rein, Capstone Advisory Group and Caplin & Drysdale.

She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Lynchburg and a master’s degree from American University.

Vetted Solutions assisted in the search.

Staff Departures

Pharmaceutical Care Management Association— Katie Payne has left her role as chief public affairs officer at $62M-revenue PCMA to join pharmacy benefit manager Prime Therapeutics as chief external affairs officer. She joined PCMA in 2022 and held several senior communications and advocacy positions, including senior vice president of strategic communications and head of advocacy. Before joining the association, she was vice president of global communications at Alexion Pharmaceuticals.

Staff Arrivals

Aerospace Industries Association — Patrick Walsh has joined $27M-revenue AIA as senior director of procurement policy. He previously served as chief of the contracting office at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and earlier held procurement and contracting roles with the United States Marshals Service, the F-35 Joint Program Office and the U.S. Air Force.

American Society of Association Executives— Quanita Pokolo-Hassell has joined as vice president of human resources. She was most recently executive vice president of human resources at ACDI/VOCA, where she held several senior HR leadership roles over nearly a decade. She previously served in HR positions at the International Center for Research on Women and the National Institutes of Health Federal Credit Union.

Association of American Publishers— Kathryn Rexrode has joined $9.4M-revenue AAP as chief communications officer. She was most recently district press and outreach director for Rep. Rob Wittman (R-Va.). She previously served as associate director for external affairs at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and held senior communications roles on the House Judiciary Committee and in the office of former Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.).

Electronic Transactions Association— Christy Ellerbee has joined $10M-revenue ETA as vice president of state government relations. She previously spent two years in state government relations at Global Payments and earlier ran her own consulting practice, Ellerbee Consulting.

Independent Community Bankers of America — Sam Beaver has joined $45M-revenue ICBA as vice president of congressional relations. He was most recently federal government affairs manager at the Brewers Association. He earlier held government relations roles at the National Association of Manufacturers and served in several Republican offices on Capitol Hill, including the Senate Republican Whip office, the Senate Finance Committee and multiple House offices.

NetChoice — Krista Chavez has been promoted to director of communications. She joined NetChoice in 2022 and previously served as senior communications manager and communications manager. Earlier in her career, she worked in media relations at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University.

            Additionally, Miriam Palicz has been promoted to director of external affairs. She joined the association in 2021 and previously served as senior manager of external affairs and outreach manager. Earlier, she held several roles at Americans for Tax Reform, including state coalitions manager and state affairs coordinator.