CEO Departures

Brown to step down at poultry group

The $4.6M-revenue National Chicken Council announced its president, Mike Brown, will be retiring after 13 years at the helm. Gary Jay Kushner has been named interim president. Kushner recently retired from law firm Hogan Lovells and has served as NCC’s outside general counsel for over 40 years.

“We thank Mike for his work in building a strong foundation at NCC and for his years of work to promote the chicken industry in Washington, D.C.,” said NCC Chairman Randy Day, the former CEO of Perdue Farms. “We are now turning our attention to conducting a nationwide search to choose the right person to lead this organization and this great industry into the next decade and beyond.”

Burgess to retire from music association

The $2.8M-revenue American Association of Independent Music (A2IM) announced Richard James Burgess will step down as president and CEO at year end. Burgess was named CEO in 2016 and later president and CEO in 2019. 

“As A2IM approaches its 20th anniversary in 2025, I am filled with immense pride for our collective achievements and honored to have been the longest-serving head of A2IM to date,” said Burgess. “Leading this exceptional organization has been an extraordinary experience. I am profoundly grateful for the support and dedication of our board members, the invaluable work of our founding members and prior presidents who set up the organization to succeed, and the unwavering commitment of our many members.”

Burgess is also president of Burgess World Co., an artist management company. Earlier in his career, he was associate director for business strategies of the Smithsonian Institution. 

A2IM has begun its search for Burgess’ successor.

CEO Arrivals

Guszcza tapped to lead building science organization

The $18M-revenue National Institute of Building Sciences announced George K. Guszcza will take over as president and CEO of the organization, effective July 1. He will succeed AC Powell, who left NIBS last August to helm the American Institute for Responsible Discourse. 

“Dr. Guszcza is a visionary whose leadership will carry NIBS into its next chapter. We look forward to working with him and continuing our service to the nation’s built environment,” said Thomas H. Phoenix, Sr., chair of the NIBS Board of Directors.

Guszcza was previously chief operating officer of the Neal Richards Group, a real estate development firm, where he worked for nearly six years. He was also executive vice president of finance and administration for strategic management services company Adams and Associates.

He has a bachelor’s degree in sociology and computer information systems engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point, a master’s degree in major program management from the University of Oxford’s Said Business School and a doctorate degree in engineering management from The George Washington University. 

Sterling Martin Associates assisted in the search.

Wasner joins public safety group

The $1.2M-revenue International Municipal Signal Association announced Catherine Wasner has been named executive director of the organization. She succeeds Tyson Evatz, who was named interim executive director following the June 2023 resignation of Toby Cummings. Cummings is now CEO of the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association. 

“Catherine has a proven track record in business development, membership growth, volunteer management and community outreach,” said Mike LiCalzi, president of the IMSA Board of Directors. “We are confident that her strong leadership skills and background in association management will enable the association to continue to advance the future of public safety.”

Wasner is the founder and lead consultant of The Next Page, a business consultancy firm. Previously, she spent 10 years at the Construction Financial Management Association, where she was vice president of member services and business development. She was also community relations and fund development manager of nonprofit organization Eversight, which focuses on restoring sight and preventing blindness.

She has a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s degree in marketing from Rutgers University. 

Sterling Martin Associates assisted in the search.

Staff Departures

Outdoor Industry Association—Rich Harper has left his role as director of government affairs for $8.6M-revenue OIA, where he had worked since 2013. He is now leading the U.S.-China Business Council’s government affairs team.

Staff Arrivals

Fragrance Creators Association—E. Janset Batibay has been named director of communications and media relations for FCA. Baitbay spent the past two years as director of engagement and outreach of the Council for Inclusive Capitalism. Previously, she was executive director of The American Turkish Society, where she worked for five years.

Healthcare Leadership Council—Sean Brown is joining the $6.5M-revenue Healthcare Leadership Council as vice president of communications. Brown has spent the past nine years at the Federation of American Hospitals, most recently as vice president of public affairs and digital strategy.