CEO Departures 

Longtime leader retiring from contractor group 

The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) announced CEO Stephen E Sandherr will retire from his position March 31, 2024. Sandherr joined AGC in 1991 as executive director for congressional relations and has led the organization since 1997. 

“While we support Steve moving on to the next phase of his life, our members are grateful for his strong leadership for more than a quarter of a century,” said AGC National President Lester C. Snyder, III, who also serves as the executive vice president of Brightline West in Las Vegas, Nevada. “He has built a fantastic team at AGC, elevated our advocacy efforts and committed the organization to address all issues affecting the construction industry.” 

AGC also announced COO Jeffrey Shoaf will succeed Sandherr upon his retirement. Shoaf joined the organization in 1994 and has been in his current role since 2017. He was previously a staff member for the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.  

“Our selection committee viewed our responsibility to choose a new CEO who would maintain AGC’s status as ‘The Construction Association’ while protecting the staff culture that has contributed to many successes,” said 2022 Board President Dan Fordice. “Jeff’s background, experience and dedication to (the organization’s) mission made him the right choice for the job,” said Fordice. 

Shoaf has a bachelor’s degree from James Madison University. 

Sims to leave International Code Council 

The International Code Council (ICC) announced CEO Dominic Sims will leave the organization at the end of 2024. Sims joined in 2003 and has led since 2012. He previously held the titles of senior vice president of the code council, COO and interim CEO. 

“Dominic has led the International Code Council for many years and helped to make the organization the global building safety leader that it is today,” said Board President Stuart Tom, P.E., CBO, FIAE. “We are sorry to see him go, and we are extremely grateful for his many years of service to the Code Council and the building safety community,” said Tom. 

The group announced Sims will work closely with the search committee to find his successor and prepare the organization for success during the leadership transition. 

Russell Reynolds Associates has been retained to assist with the search beginning in early 2024. 

CEO Arrivals 

Mauer to succeed Leonhard at brick association 

The Brick Industry Association has appointed Tricia Mauer its new president and CEO, effective January 1, 2025. She will succeed Ray Leonhard, who will retire at the end of 2024. Leonhard has led the organization since 2014. 

"Trish Mauer is the right choice at the right time to become BIA’s chief operating officer and president and CEO," said Ed Watson, BIA incoming chairman and president and CEO of Acme Brick Co. "She has a deep passion for the BIA and its members as we work to increase brick’s wall share and safeguard our industry. 

Mauer is currently BIA’s vice president of membership and programs and will assume the role of COO before she begins as president and CEO. She joined the organization in 2005 and has held a number of roles since then. Previously, she spent three years at the American Chemistry Council. 

Mauer has a bachelor’s degree in business marketing from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. 

Dobyan promoted at hearing group 

The Hearing Industries Association has named Bridget Dobyan executive director, effective January 1, 2024. She will succeed Kate Carr, who is retiring at year-end. 

“(Bridget’s) knowledge of the hearing industry coupled with her impressive experience in public policy has been invaluable since joining HIA in 2020. We’re fully confident Ms. Dobyan will take HIA to new heights in the coming years,” said Sandy Brandmeier, president of HI Wholesale, Sonova USA. 

Dobyan joined HIA in 2020 as director of public policy and advocacy. Previously, she was government affairs manager at Alliance to Save Energy and spent three years and 11 months at the U.S. House of Representatives. 

The group also announced Carr will be a strategic adviser for HIA on select projects in 2024. 

Dobyan has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Saginaw Valley State University and a law degree from Michigan State University College of Law. 

Herrera to helm philanthropy group 

Christie Herrera has been named president and CEO of Philanthropy Roundtable, effective immediately. Herrera was named interim president and CEO in June following the announcement that Elise Westhoff was stepping down after leading the organization for three years. Westhoff is now executive director of The Emmet Family Foundation. 

“Christie is a bold and talented leader who truly understands private philanthropy’s unique ability to address our nation’s most pressing problems. Her depth of experience, strategic vision and commitment to our values make her the perfect choice to guide the Roundtable into the future,” said Board Chairman Richard W. Graber. 

Herrera joined the organization in 2019 and has held various leadership positions since. 

Staff Arrivals 

ASAE—Heather Dean has been named chief finance and administrative officer, effective November 6. Most recently, Dean was managing director at Tysons Corner, Va.-based accounting firm Cordia Partners. Previously, she was deputy executive director and COO of the National School Boards Association, where she spent six years. She also spent three years at National PTA, where she was deputy executive director of programs and operations. 

Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association (AVIA)—Renée Gibson has joined AVIA as director of government affairs. She was previously director of state government relations at the American Traffic Safety Services Association, where she spent three years. She has also been director of state affairs at the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers and manager of state and local relations at the American Institute of Architects. 

National Motor Freight Traffic Association—Joe Ohr has been named chief operating officer. He has spent the last 10 years at Westlake, Texas-based software developer Omnitracs, most recently as senior vice president of operations and customer experience. He also spent nine years at wireless services company Qualcomm.