CEO Departures

Dumbacher to step down from aerospace group

The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics announced CEO Dan Dumbacher will step down from his role Sept. 30, 2024.

“Dan shared his intent to leave his role as steward of the Institute during a recent AIAA Board of Trustees meeting. His leadership over the past six years has been key to solidly positioning us for a strong future, especially successfully navigating through the challenges of the pandemic. We highly value his many contributions to AIAA and the aerospace community,” AIAA President Laura McGill said.

Dumbacher joined AIAA in 2018 as executive director. Previously, he spent over 30 years at NASA and was a professor at Purdue University. 

The AIAA board has retained Russell Reynolds Associates to assist with the search for Dumbacher’s successor. 

Thevenot to leave oncology group at year-end

The American Society for Radiation Oncology announced CEO Laura Thevenot plans to retire at the end of this year. She has led the group since 2002. 

“Under Laura’s leadership, ASTRO has grown into the world’s largest professional association for the radiation oncology community. She greatly expanded our educational and advocacy efforts to ensure that our members stay current on the evolving oncology treatment landscape and that Congress understands the vast benefits that radiation oncology brings to people with cancer,” said ASTRO’s board chair, Jeff M. Michalski.

Earlier in her career, Thevenot was COO and executive vice president of the Federation of American Hospitals and worked for the Health Insurance Association of America (now America’s Health Insurance Plans).

Korn Ferry has been selected to lead the search for ASTRO’s next CEO. 

CEO Arrivals

Paisner named interim leader at charter school alliance

The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools named Eric Paisner interim president and CEO following the December departure of Nina Rees.

Paisner has been chief operating officer of NAPCS since January 2018. He joined the organization in 2008 as director of organization strategy and counsel, and has since held the titles of vice president of knowledge and partnerships, and chief of staff. He was previously an associate attorney at law firm Powers Pyles Sutter & Verville in Washington, DC.

Isaacson, Miller assisted in the search.

Copperman to helm cigar group

Cigar Rights of America announced Mike Copperman has been named executive director of the trade group. The position has been vacant for three years following the departure of Glynn Loope in 2020.

Copperman has been CRA’s legislative director since October 2011. Previously, he was president of tobacco company Bethesda Tobacco for nine years.

Staff Departures

National Association of Broadcasters—Anna Chauvet has left her role as vice president of public policy at NAB to rejoin law firm Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner as a partner.

Staff Arrivals

American Council of Engineering—Patrick Brady has joined ACEC as director of workforce development and public visibility. Brady most recently worked on labor and workforce policy at Amazon and previously spent three years at the Society for Human Resource Management.

Cargo Airline Association—Brianna Manzelli has been named managing director for legislative policy at CAA. She was most recently communications director for the United States Senate for two years. Previously, she was assistant administrator for communications at the Federal Aviation Administration.

Design-Build Institute of America—Diana Lee Tucker has joined DBIA as chief operating officer. She was most recently vice president for membership and chapter relations for the National Association for Industrial and Office Parks. Previously, she spent 20 years at the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors, most recently as vice president of membership and chapter relations.

National Council of Architectural Registration Boards—Alison Teitelbaum has joined NCARB as chief operating officer. She was previously COO of the International Association for the Study of Pain and executive director of Health Care Alliance for Patient Safety.

Paperboard Packaging Council—Emily Leonczyk has been named PPC’s executive director and vice president. She joined the organization in 2018 as director of marketing and communications before becoming director of operations. Leonczyk is also COO and EVP of association management company The Markens Group.

U.S. Chamber of Commerce—Stephen Waguespack has joined The Chamber as special counsel. Waguespack ran for Louisiana governor in 2023 and previously helmed the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry from 2013 to 2023.

USTelecom—Kathleen Slattery Thompson has joined USTelecom as vice president of policy and advocacy. She joins the group from telecommunications nonprofit NG9-1-1 Institute and was formerly an associate at Washington, DC-based law firm Keller and Heckman.