CEO Arrivals

Habursky takes the helm at cigar group

The Premium Cigar Association announced Joshua Habursky has signed on to serve as CEO of the $3.9M-revenue organization through 2028. He succeeds Scott Pearce, who left the organization in May to lead the Cigar Association of America.

“For the past five years we have been able to work effectively with Josh to accomplish the goals of the association related to advocacy. We are confident of his ability to take on the additional responsibility of running the full association moving forward. This internal promotion is a testament to both Josh and the entire PCA staff who have been diligently working with the board to make the association a powerhouse in all departments,” says Scott Regina, president of the PCA Board of Directors.

Habursky joined PCA in 2019 and will continue to serve as PCA’s chief lobbyist. Earlier in his career, he spent nearly three years at the Independent Community Bankers of America, most recently as assistant vice president of advocacy. He also had stints at the American Diabetes Association and the American Motorcyclist Association.

He has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Washington & Jefferson College and a master’s degree in American government from Georgetown University. 

Williams to lead anesthesia researchers

The $6M-revenue International Anesthesia Research Society announced Andre Williams will take over as executive director of the organization, effective Aug. 26. He will succeed Tom Cooper, who last year announced his upcoming retirement following 17 years leading the group.

“After a rigorous search process, the IARS Board is delighted that Andre has decided to join the IARS. We are excited about Andre’s wealth of experience and his shared enthusiasm for using research to advance patient care. His international collaborations will strengthen our efforts to deepen IARS’s value for physicians, clinicians and researchers around the world,” said Beverley Orser, past board chair and chair of the search committee.

Williams has spent the past 10 years at association management company Smithbucklin. During his tenure, he has led the American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, Clinical Research Forum and Healthcare Business Management Association. Earlier in his career, he was executive director and CEO of the Association of Black Cardiologists. 

He has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from Lincoln University. 

Staffing Advisors assisted in the search. 

Staff Departures

American College of Surgeons—Amelia Suermann has left her position as senior adviser for congressional and political advocacy at ACS. She has joined pharmaceutical company Otsuka Pharmaceutical as director of federal government affairs. 

American Public Power Association—Corry Marshall has left his role as senior director of government relations at $26M-revenue APPA. He has joined Mitsubishi Electric as head of federal affairs and policy. 

Staff Arrivals

American Association of Neurological Surgeons—Charlotte Pineda has joined $4.1M-revenue AANS and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons as vice president of health policy and advocacy. Most recently she was a health policy director for Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.).

International Dairy Foods Association—Andrew Jerome has been promoted to vice president of communications. He joined $13M-revenue IDFA in 2020 as director of external and member communications before being named associate vice president of communications. Earlier in his career, he spent nearly five years at the National Farmers Union, most recently as communications director. 

Managed Funds Association—Ron Alquist is joining $24M-revenue MFA as managing director of research. Most recently, he was principal economist and senior policy advisor for the Financial Stability Oversight Council. 

Motion Picture Association—$75M-revenue MPA has announced several changes to its senior staff.

Larissa Knapp has been named executive vice president and chief content protection officer. She spent the 27 years at the FBI, most recently leading its National Security Branch. Previously, she led the FBI’s Security, Training and Human Resources Divisions and Data Analytics. 

Furthermore, John Mercurio and Greg Saphier will co-lead communications and public affairs at the association following the departure of Emily Lenzner, who was executive vice president of global communications and public affairs.

Mercurio joined MPA in 2020 as senior vice president and head of global communications. Previously, he was the global head of communications and marketing for the International Association for Trusted Blockchain Applications. 

Saphier has been with the organization since 2013, where he was vice president of external affairs before being named senior vice president of external affairs in 2018. Earlier in his career, he was senior director of state affairs and industry grassroots at NCTA — The Internet & Television Association, where he spent nearly six years.

National Association of Community Health Centers—Luis Padilla has been named chief health officer of NACHP. Previously, he was associate administrator for the Bureau of Health Workforce at the Health Resources and Services Administration.

Smart Electric Power Alliance—Emily Fisher has been named chief strategy officer of $16M-revenue SEPA, effective July 29. She has spent the past 16 years at Edison Electric Institute, most recently as executive vice president of clean energy. Earlier in her career, she was a foreign service officer for the U.S. Department of State. 

U.S. Travel Association—Maddison Stone has been named director of strategic communications of $29M-revenue UST. She was previously communications director for Rep. G.T. Thompson (R-Pa.).