Recent departures, arrivals and promotions at associations

Russo

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce announced two high-profile hires, aimed at upping the business group's communications and advocacy game. Michelle Russo, most recently at entertainment company Discovery, fills the new position of chief communications officer. Chris Contakes joins as chief information officer from The Pew Charitable Trusts.

Oren Teicher is retiring from the American Booksellers Association, after nearly 30 years with the group and 10 years as CEO. The group credits him with helping to revitalize the independent bookstore business model, under threat from big box chains and online retailers.

Former Louisiana congressman Richard Baker announced his pending retirement from the Managed Funds Association, after 11 years as CEO.

Kevin Klauer has been named CEO of the American Osteopathic Association, the first osteopathic physician to lead the group since 1981. He succeeds Adrienne White-Faines.

Mark Andrejeski is retiring after more than three decades as EVP of the American College of Rheumatology. His successor has already been named: Steven Echard, CEO of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.

Elaine Weiss will now lead the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, after six years at the helm of the American Academy of Dermatology. Peter Scott was named executive director of the American Academy of Optometry. He had been COO at the North American Veterinary Community. Johnnie White joins American Society of Appraisers as CEO from the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, where he was senior director.

Ty Gable is retiring as president of the National Precast Concrete Association. Geoff Zeibart, executive director of the National Association of Business Political Action Committees, is stepping down after 22 years.

The National Restaurant Association tapped Jeff Solsby from Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America as its VP of advocacy communications. NRA also hired Vanessa Sink as media relations director.

Meanwhile, WSWA hired Michael Bilello from the Transportation Security Administration as its SVP of communications and marketing.

Bill Frymoyer is the new VP of public policy at the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association. He had been at law firm Stewart and Stewart. ASAE hired Jeff Evans as associate director of public policy. He had been at Ambulatory Surgery Center Association.

Karen Mateo was appointed chief communications officer at New York City-based Public Relations Society of America. Korie Traver is the new chief financial officer at American Cleaning Institute. Michael Farhat has been named chief strategic partnerships officer at the Endocrine Society. Kristen Keenan has joined NAMA (National Automatic Merchandising Association) as director of meetings and events.

For CEO Update members:
Read the latest news about CEO and senior staff in the March 29 issue of CEO Update. Also, see more departures and arrivals online.