CEO Arrivals

Lytle to succeed Petta at equipment leasers

The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association announced Leigh Lytle has been appointed president and CEO, effective December 4. She will succeed Ralph Petta, who is retiring at year end after leading ELFA since January 2016. 

“Leigh is a dynamic leader whose experience, passion and vision make her uniquely qualified to guide our association into the future. Her experience in banking, operations, advocacy and education, and most recently with a fintech company and a fintech trade association, will add momentum to our current ELFA efforts in those same areas,” said Bob Neagle, ELFA board chair.

Lytle is currently head of North American policy at San Fransisco, Calif.-based financial software developer Plaid. She has spent over 16 years at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, holding titles including group vice president, vice president and director of statistics.

She has a bachelor’s degree in commerce and economics from Santa Clara University.

Heidrick & Struggles assisted in the search.

Menser promoted to CEO of molecular pathology group

The Association for Molecular Pathology named Lauren S. Menser as its CEO, effective January 3, 2024. She will succeed Mary Steele Williams, who is retiring early next year. 

“Laurie’s extensive association expertise, combined with her familiarity with challenges impacting molecular diagnostics professionals, made her uniquely qualified for this position,” said Laura Tafe, AMP president and search committee chair.

Menser currently manages the membership, marketing and communications teams at AMP, where she has worked since 2016 and was previously director of strategic development.

She has a bachelor’s degree in biology from St. Mary’s College of Maryland.

Sterling Martin Associates assisted in the search.

Staff Departures

American Clean Power Association—Josh Kaplowitz will be leaving his role as vice president for offshore wind at the end of October.

American Medical Association—Former AMA Vice President of Digital and Health Innovations and Strategy Meg Barron has joined the New York, N.Y.-based Peterson Health Technology Institute as the organization’s managing director of engagement and outreach.

Staff Arrivals

American Chemistry Council—Rebecca McPhail has been named vice president of state affairs and political mobilization, effective December 18. She will succeed Rudy Underwood, who announced his retirement in July after spending over three decades with ACC. McPhail is currently president of the West Virginia Manufacturers Association.

American Trucking Associations—ATA has announced several updates to its leadership team.

Bill Sullivan will assume the role of chief public affairs and advocacy officer. Sullivan was previously vice president of advocacy.

Rich Pianka has been named chief legal officer and general counsel. He will continue to oversee ATA’s legal affairs, litigation center and board governance. Pianka was previously general counsel and executive vice president of legal affairs.

Sarah Rajtik is the new chief operating officer, overseeing industry affairs, human resources and membership. Rajtik joined ATA in February 2017 as vice president of human resources before being named senior vice president of human resources in November 2018.

National Marine Manufacturers Association—Molly Drenkard is NMMA’s new vice president of public affairs. Most recently, Drenkard was director of corporate communications at Anheuser-Busch. Previously, she was a national press secretary for the House Republican Conference and director of media relations and public affairs for the American Legislative Exchange Council.

U.S. Chamber of Commerce—Kendra Gaither has been promoted to president of the U.S.-Africa Business Center from vice president of the Center. Previously, she was the Chamber’s executive director of Americas.