CEO Departures

Pinkham to retire from public affairs group

The Public Affairs Council announced Doug Pinkham will retire at year end after leading the organization for 27 years.

“Doug has been an effective and thoughtful leader of the council for nearly three decades, and his efforts have greatly strengthened the role of the public affairs function,” said Public Affairs Council Chair Roi L. Ewell. “He has also built a strong team of professionals, which is why I’m confident this organization will become even more valuable to its members in the future.”

Pinkham is the third person to lead the council since its formation in 1954. Prior to joining PAC, Pinkham was vice president of communications for the American Gas Association.

Trainer to step down from sleep products group

The International Sleep Products Association announced Ryan Trainer will retire after leading for 14 years. Trainer joined ISPA in 2002 and was previously general counsel for the organization. 

“Serving this wonderful industry and working with the great ISPA and MRC teams has been the highlight of my career,” Trainer said in a press release. “I have had the privilege to work with some fantastic individuals and organizations to protect and advance the sleep products industry. I thank the ISPA and MRC boards, our members, and the ISPA/MRC staff for their support. I am proud of what we have accomplished together and confident that these organizations will thrive under new leadership.”

A search committee has been appointed to find Trainer’s successor and applicants will begin being interviewed following ISPA’s EXPO 2024 in March.

Smart HR will assist in the search.

CEO Arrivals

Camp named permanent CEO of advocacy group

The National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives announced David Camp has been named CEO. Camp was promoted from chief policy officer to interim CEO upon the departure of Steve Gardner in July 2023. Gardner is now CEO of the International Association for the Study of Pain. 

"We are delighted to have David Camp as our permanent CEO," said NOSSCR President Rick Fleming. "His remarkable career accomplishments and deep commitment to our organization and its mission make him exceptionally qualified for this role. Under his guidance, we are confident that NOSSCR will reach new heights in advocating for the rights of Social Security claimants."

Camp joined NOSSCR in 2021 as president before becoming chief policy officer in March 2023. He previously worked as an attorney.

He has a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a doctorate from Washington University in St. Louis. 

Staff Departures

America’s Essential Hospitals—Erin O’Malley has left her position as senior director for policy at AEH to join the Coalition for Trust in Health & Science as executive director. O’Malley spent 8 years at AEH after joining as director of policy in 2015. Earlier in her career, she was a project manager of the public policy team at the American Hospital Association. 

Staff Arrivals

American Cleaning Institute—Marie Gargas joined ACI as senior director of regulatory and international affairs. She was previously senior technical director of regulatory affairs at the Plastics Industry Association, where she spent the past 25 years. 

American Trucking Associations—ATA announced the promotion of two staff members to senior positions.

Ed Gilroy has been promoted to chief advocacy and public affairs officer. Gilroy joined ATA in 2017 as senior vice president of legislative affairs. He succeeds Bill Sullivan, who will be depart the organization in the coming weeks.

Henry Hanscom is the group’s new senior vice president of legislative affairs. He joined ATA in 2013 as manager of legislative affairs and was named vice president of legislative affairs in 2017.

National Music Publishers’ Association—Chris Barkley has joined NMPA as senior vice president of government affairs. Barkley was most recently deputy chief of staff to Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah). Previously, he was policy director for the Senate Republican Policy Committee under Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.)