CEO Arrivals

Williams promoted to CEO at furniture association

The Home Furnishings Association announced Shannon Williams will become the group’s next CEO, effective June 1. She will succeed Mark Schumacher, who announced last year that he would be stepping down. 

“Ms. Williams brings a rich business background and association knowledge that will help the HFA adapt to meet the industry needs and ensure we continue to serve furniture retailers and other stakeholders,” said HFA Board President Matt Schultz in a statement.

Williams joined HFA in 2018 as director of membership. Since then, she has held the titles of director of membership and partnerships, vice president of performance and strategy and chief operating officer. Previously, she spent two years at mortgage lender Paramount Equity Mortgage.

She has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from California State University, East Bay and a master’s degree in nonprofit and association management from the University of Maryland Global Campus.

Staff Departures

America’s Health Insurance Plans—Katie Allen has left her position as vice president of federal affairs at AHIP. She is now senior director of government relations at diabetes advocacy group JDRF.

National Association of Realtors—Wes Shaw has left his position as director of executive communications and public relations at the National Association of Realtors, where he spent five years. He has joined Navy Federal Credit Union as corporate communications strategist. Previously, he spent six years at the U.S. House of Representatives.

Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association—Jennifer Jacoby has joined communications firm Invariant as a senior director and financial services policy counsel. She was previously managing director of federal government affairs and associate general counsel at SIFMA.

Staff Arrivals

American Hotel & Lodging Association—Matt Carrier has been promoted to senior vice president of federal affairs, policy and research at AHLA. He joined the organization in 2020 as vice president of innovation policy and research before being promoted to vice president of government affairs, policy and research in 2022.

BSA | The Software Alliance—Meghan Pensyl has rejoined BSA as director of policy. She previously spent three years with the group as an associate of policy and later a manager of policy. She was most recently manager of North American public policy at software developer Twilio.

National Association of Theater Owners—Lou DiGioia has been promoted to chief operating officer of NATO. He joined the group in 2022 as chief financial officer. Previously, he was chief operating officer of the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, executive director of DECA Inc. and executive director of MATHCOUNTS Foundation.

National Electrical Manufacturers Association—Clare James Johnson has joined NEMA as managing director of communications. She was previously a senior vice president at climate public relations agency Silverline Communications.

Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association—Kyle Innes has joined SIFMA as managing director and associate general counsel. He was previously associate director in the office of government affairs at the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.