Caldeira, Blake and Hatcher accept CEO Update Association Leadership Awards

The association community had a faux "movie night" Oct. 18 at the Renwick Gallery to honor its own, including CEO Update's Trade Association CEO of the Year—named Caldeira. Steve Caldeira.

The movie theme permeated the event. Caldeira, CEO of the Household & Commercial Products Association, got the James Bond treatment, complete with a movie poster featuring Caldeira in a black tuxedo. "To Lead is Not Enough" will not be playing in theaters, nor will it be streaming, but attendees gave a trailer for it two thumbs up.

Also honored were Patricia Blake of the Heart Rhythm Society as Professional Society CEO of the Year and Jennifer Hatcher, chief public policy officer of FMI—The Food Industry Association as Association Lobbyist of the Year. Blake's likeness was on a movie poster for "Once More With Rhythm," while Hatcher's poster was titled "Full-Court Press."

Leading Authorities Inc., former parent company of CEO Update, produced the event, which gave attendees the chance to mingle with Tom Cruise, Marilyn Monroe and Elton John—or perhaps just people who vaguely resembled them. LAI's video unit created movie trailers—rated "approved for all associations"—with narrators capturing the essence of the honorees. (Watch videos below.)

CEO Update was acquired by Columbia Books & Information Services in August. LAI CEO Matt Jones introduced Brittany Carter, CEO of CBIS, before the ceremony to kick things off.

"Having worked in the association space for the last 16 years, I've really admired CEO update, its high-quality content and the ability to bring together rooms full of people, like you all, the leaders in this space," Carter said.

"So we're really excited to continue that tradition of excellence and content and bring in our kind of expertise from our side of the business, which is in data, and we're excited to work with all of you," she said.

And the awards go to …

Chris Jahn, CEO of the American Chemistry Council, was emcee, introducing speakers on behalf of the three honorees. He quipped that the role was as close to the Oscars he'll ever get.

Jay Timmons, CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers, called Caldeira "my mentor" and a tireless civic and philanthropic volunteer.

"He represents absolutely the best association leadership, he's a source of boundless energy, he puts all of us to shame in that category," Timmons said. "(He offers) wise counsel, and truly genuine kindness.

"Steve stands out as an example of what all of us can do, to overcome and achieve things if we are driven, committed, and relentless. … He believes from the bottom of his heart in the power of associations … (and) devotes countless hours with other charitable and civic causes."

Jacqualine Price Osafo, executive director of the Society of American Archivists, introduced Blake, and credited her with her own success as an association executive. Osafo noted that in 2001, while she worked for Blake, then CEO at the Emergency Nurses Association, Blake was being recruited to run the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.

"She tells me, ‘I'm interviewing for this job, Jackie. And if I get it, will you go with me?' And this is how awesome this lady is: (I said) ‘I will go.'

"We had no office. We didn't even have a paper clip," when starting at ASGE, Osafo laughed.

Osafo, who is Black, noted how Blake's commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion was a factor in her selection as professional society CEO of the year.

"She is truly the real deal," Osafo said. "And my career has taken off because of Pat. So, Pat, I say, ‘Thank you, you have been a mentor; you have been a friend.'"

Lee Sanders, senior vice president of government relations and public affairs at the American Bakers Association, spoke for Hatcher. The two have known each other since they worked in the George H.W. Bush administration, where Sanders said they found an "instant connection."

"Jennifer's strategic collaborative approach has carried her from the executive branch to Capitol Hill, where she served as chief of staff for former Rep. Spencer Bachus of Alabama, and then on to FMI where she is a powerhouse and is a respected and effective visionary advocacy leader, making a difference every single day," Sanders said.

Some of Hatcher's accomplishments were summed up in the video dedicated to her:

"When COVID-19 changed all the rules, she stepped up to rewrite her playbook, posting daily calls with hundreds of FMI members to help keep them engaged," the narrator said. "Leading FMI's efforts to enable 12,000 supermarket pharmacies to administer COVID-19 vaccines, expanding distribution to communities with the most need."