Departures

D'Agostino

D'Agostino to retire from CMAA

Bruce D'Agostino will retire as CEO of the $4M-revenue Construction Management Association of America later this year after a successor has been found.

D'Agostino joined the McLean, Va.-based group in 1999 as its first full-time staff member. CMAA credits his leadership with growing the association from 700 members to more than 16,000 during his 18-year tenure as CEO. He also helped nurture relationships with CMAA's counterparts in Europe, Asia and Latin America.

"Bruce is leaving behind an extraordinary legacy of success in the industry and his accomplishments have exceeded expectations," CMAA board chair Stephen Ayers said in a statement. "While we are sad to see him go, the momentum he has created will leave a lasting impact and we wish him well now and into the future."

Recruitment firm Vetted Solutions is assisting in the search for D'Agostino's replacement.

Githens to leave risk management group

William Githens will retire as CEO of the $27M-revenue Risk Management Association in Philadelphia in December.

Githens first joined RMA in 1997, managing the association's member relations functions. He became CEO in 2010. Before joining the association, he worked in the financial industry in various leadership roles, including as CEO of SynapQuest.

RMA's board of directors has formed a search committee to find Githens' successor.

Arrivals

Retired general tapped by defense industry group

The $26M-revenue National Defense Industrial Association has named retired Gen. Herbert "Hawk" Carlisle president and CEO, starting in June.

Carlisle joins the Arlington, Va.-based NDIA after four decades in the U.S. Air Force. He most recently was commander, Air Combat Command, at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia. He previously was commander of Pacific Air Forces; the air component commander for U.S. Pacific Command; and executive director, Pacific Air Combat Operations Staff, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.

He has an MBA from Golden Gate University in San Francisco. Recruitment firm Korn Ferry assisted in the search.

MLPA association names executive director

The $3M-revenue Master Limited Partnership Association in Arlington, Va., has hired Lori Ziebart as executive director.

Ziebart most recently was a public policy consultant who was hired by the MLP Association last year as a contract lobbyist. She previously was VP of government affairs for El Paso Corp. and Goldman Sachs.

She has a law degree from Georgetown University.

Hogan to lead pipe research group

Patrick Hogan has joined the $4M-revenue Ductile Iron Pipe Research Association as president. He succeeds Jon Runge, who is retiring after leading the Golden, Colo.-based group since 2013.

Hogan most recently was project manager at Harbinger Outreach, a national media operations and consulting firm in Washington, D.C. He previously was manager, intergovernmental relations, for the National Association of Home Builders.

He has a bachelor's degree in history and political science from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wis.

Burke

Government affairs

The $79M-revenue American Beverage Association has promoted Kevin Keane to EVP of the group's newly combined government and public affairs department.

Keane has been ABA's SVP of policy and public affairs since 2005. Before joining the association, he was assistant secretary of public affairs at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. He previously was deputy chief of staff for former Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson of Wisconsin.

He has bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

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The $50M-revenue American Council of Life Insurers has hired Nancy Powers Perry as legislative director.

Powers most recently was senior policy adviser and tax counsel to former Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Wash.). She previously was director, government affairs, for the Wolf Trap Foundation for Performing Arts in Vienna, Va., and executive director of the McLean Project for the Arts in McLean, Va.

She has a law degree from The Catholic University of America.

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Alex Ford has joined the $10M-revenue commercial real estate development association NAIOP as director of federal affairs.

Ford most recently was manager, federal relations, at the American Institute of Architects. He previously was a senior associate at the public affairs firm Venn Strategies.

He has a bachelor's degree in government from the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Va.

PR & communications

Sarah Dolan was been named director of media relations at the $95M-revenue National Restaurant Association. Dolan most recently was press secretary for Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.). She previously was rapid response director for New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's presidential campaign in 2016.

She has a bachelor's degree in journalism and political science from Northeastern University in Boston.

The $28M-revenue Consumer Healthcare Products Association has hired Lauren Bloomberg as director of communications and media relations.

Bloomberg most recently worked for the health care team of the public relations firm Edelman. She previously was press secretary for the House Ways and Means Committee.

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The $65M-revenue Association of American Railroads has hired Jessica Kahanek as press secretary, effective March 7.

Kahanek most recently was press secretary for the National Labor Relations Board. She previously was digital deputy director for the public affairs firm DDC Advocacy and communications director for Rep. Jim Costa (D-Calif.).

She has a bachelor's degree in political science from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.

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The $39M-revenue Airlines for America has appointed Todd Burke SVP, communications, effective March 20. Burke most recently was VP of corporate communications for Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen. He previously was director of external communications for Pacific Gas and Electric Co.

Administration

The $127M-revenue American College of Cardiology promoted two staffers.

Cathy Gates was promoted from EVP to COO. She replaces Tom Arend, who was recently named CEO of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Gates has a master's degree in accounting and finance from The George Washington University.

Brendan Mullen was promoted from division VP of market strategy to EVP. He first joined ACC in 2008 as director of strategic planning. He previously was VP, strategy and development, at the National Quality Forum.

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The $18M-revenue Auto Care Association recently announced three staff changes, including the retirement of a longtime employee.

Rich White will retire June 30 from his position of EVP after working at the Bethesda, Md.-based ACA for 18 years. He currently oversees marketing and communications, market research, member services, trade shows and education. He also is executive director of the Car Care Council, a nonprofit administered by ACA to educate the public about automotive maintenance and repair.

Before joining ACA, White spent a decade heading the communications program at the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. He previously was director of public affairs at the American Automobile Association.

Behzad Rassuli was promoted to SVP, strategic development. He most recently was VP, strategy and market
intelligence.

Larry Northup, senior director of member relations, will head the association's new community engagement department. He also is executive director of the Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association, an ACA affiliate.

Meetings, education & programs

Jane Mell Balek has been named executive director of the School Nutrition Foundation, the philanthropic sister organization of the $11M-revenue School Nutrition Association in National Harbor, Md.

Balek most recently was deputy executive director of National Association for Music Education and Executive director/CEO of the association's Give A Note Foundation. She previously was senior research associate at the American Institutes for Research.

Recruitment firm Vetted solutions assisted in the search.

Naomi Wilson has joined the $11M-revenue Information Technology Industry Council as director of global policy for China and greater Asia.

Wilson most recently was acting director for Asia-Pacific at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

She has a master's degree in international affairs from Texas A&M.

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The $46M-revenue American Trucking Associations has hired two new staff and promoted four others.

Tim Smith was hired as VP of creative services. He most recently was creative director at the National Restaurant Association.

Julia Grove was named director of marketing. She most recently was senior marketing manager for the telematics company SkyBitz.

John Lynch was promoted to SVP of federation relations and industry affairs. He has been with ATA since 2006 in a variety of positions, most recently as VP of federation relations and intergovernmental affairs.

Henry Hanscom was promoted to VP of legislative affairs. An ATA staffer since 2013, Hanscom has been promoted twice, starting as a manager of legislative affairs and later becoming director of legislative affairs.

Joe Hite was promoted to VP of business development. He has been with ATA since 2007, working with ATA's councils and events staff, most recently as director of event development.

Dan Duggan was promoted to director of sponsorships and exhibits. He joined ATA in 2013 and previously was manager of sponsorships and exhibits.