CEO Update's second annual Association Leadership Awards accepted by Tom Kuhn of EEI, Arlene Pietranton of ASHA and Jade West of NAW

Oct. 2, 2015
By William Ehart

The Association Leadership Awards event Sept. 22 was a celebration of three longstanding executives' effectiveness and the outsized roles they have played for their organizations, in the policy arena and in their community.

Tom Kuhn of the $84 million-revenue Edison Electric Institute accepted his award for trade association CEO of the year; Arlene Pietranton of the $65 million-revenue American Speech-Language-Hearing Association accepted hers as professional society CEO of the year, and Jade West of the $6 million-revenue National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors received the association lobbyist of the year award.

They were recognized for their impact, character and involvement and celebrated by about 450 peers and other members of the association community at the second-annual CEO Update ALA luncheon at the JW Marriott hotel in downtown Washington, D.C.

The luncheon—emceed by CEO Update Managing Director Mark Graham—also included a roundtable discussion with the honorees led by former CNN Chief Political Correspondent Candy Crowley.

‘Ingenuity, tenacity, commitment'
U.S. Chamber of Commerce CEO Tom Donohue, last year's trade association CEO of the year, kicked off the event via pre-recorded video. He was unable to attend but noted the importance of commending those who set the standard for excellence.

"As association executives, our jobs are tougher than ever," he said. "That's why it's important to celebrate the very best in association leadership."

He praised the three executives for their "ingenuity, tenacity and commitment to improve our profession."

Veteran executive search consultant Leslie Hortum of Spencer Stuart, a member of the selection committee, said the panel took a holistic look at this year's ALA nominees.

"We looked at the whole person and the impact that each individual has had on all of us. What do they do when the cameras are not on? How do they contribute to their community? Do they volunteer? Do they set an example for the best selves we all aspire to be?" Hortum said. "We have each been inspired by today's recipients to do better and to be better."

Each of the award winners also was the subject of a video produced by CEO Update parent company Leading Authorities, which provides speaker, event and video services to companies and associations. The event also featured a video segment on Bright Beginnings, a charity for children of homeless families that is supported by Leading Authorities.

‘The face of coalitions'
Leigh Ann Pusey, CEO of the American Insurance Association, presented the award to West, citing her Capitol Hill reputation, coalition-building and political savvy.

"A lot of people in this town act like they're the smartest person in the room, but Jade really is," Pusey said. "I'm impressed with her knowledge and her sense of what's going on. She's been a role model for effective advocacy."

In his interview for the West video, NAW CEO Dirk Van Dongen praised her work as staff director for the U.S. Senate Republican Policy Committee, the role through which she came to his attention.

"She was the face of coalitions in the Senate, which led us to begin working with her. She knows how to win and she wants to win, but she does it with a style that makes people like her," he said. West became NAW's top lobbyist in 2002.

Pietranton ‘all in'
Shane Feldman introduced Pietranton, head of ASHA since 2003, using sign language and an interpreter. Feldman, who is deaf, is director of strategic partnerships and development at the nonprofit Communication Service for the Deaf. He thanked Pietranton for mentoring him and noted that his mother was a speech therapist and "card-carrying member" of ASHA.

"Arlene passionately believes in what her organization envisions—making effective communications a human right for all," Feldman signed.

Staffers in the Pietranton video praised her for being "all in" and for her integrity.

"She dives in head first but not without doing her homework," said Neil DiSarno, chief staff officer for audiology at ASHA. "Above all, Arlene is an ethical and honest individual and her example permeates the association."

Feldman said Pietranton encouraged him to apply for ASAE's Diversity in Executive Leadership Program. "It has been an inspiring experience," he said.

‘Incredible run of success'
Matthew Shay, CEO of the National Retail Federation, delivered a personal and warmly humorous introduction of Kuhn, the 25-year leader of EEI.

Shay said leadership is "an observable fact," but a highly subjective thing to judge. Nonetheless, Shay said he knows leadership when he sees it—and he sees it in Kuhn.

"Twenty-five years as CEO is an incredible run of success," Shay said. "For anyone to remain CEO of an industry trade group like EEI and do it with such passion, commitment and vision that they would keep you for 25 years, that is a tremendous validation of his leadership," Shay said.

"Through amazing industry challenges, challenges that would tear most industries apart, Tom keeps finding year after year, chairman after chairman, ways to bring the industry together," he said.

Shay also praised Kuhn for modesty and humility, his willingness to listen and his work with charities such as So Others Might Eat, a Washington, D.C., organization for the poor and homeless.

In Kuhn's video segment, the Chamber's Donohue called him "an extraordinary association leader."

"When he gets on something, whether it's getting behind a political or policy issue that needs a leader, Tom Kuhn is first class," Donohue said.

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