Recent Announcements | Association Strategies

Pamela Melcher, MS, CAE

Pam Melcher has been named the Executive Director for the highly respected American Thyroid Association. With a membership of more than 1700 physicians, surgeons, scientists and advanced practice providers from 43 countries worldwide, the ATA is dedicated to transforming thyroid care through clinical excellence, education, scientific discovery and advocacy in a collaborative and diverse community. Ms. Mechler joins the ATA after a 29-year tenure at the American College of Radiology (ACR), most recently as the Vice President, Strategy Management & Foresight.

“We are thrilled that Pam Mechler has agreed to join us and I look forward to working closely with our new Executive Director as we guide the next phase of the ATA’s progress in supporting its members, advancing its scientific and clinical goals, and driving forwards advancements for patient treatment and understanding,” said ATA Secretary/COO Chris McCabe.

Melcher was selected after an extensive, national search led by Association Strategies, Inc., Washington, D.C. and Tuft & Associates, Inc., Chicago.

Lana Vukovljak, MS

The American Society of Appraisers (ASA) has announced that Lana Vukovljak will be their new CEO and Executive Vice President. Located in Herndon, Virginia the ASA has a membership of 4900 professionals and is a multi-disciplinary society representing all appraisal disciplines, including Appraisal Review & Management, Business Valuation, Gems & Jewelry, Machinery & Technical Specialties, Personal Property, and Real Property. ASA’s mission is to foster the public trust of its membership and the appraisal profession through compliance with the highest levels of ethical and professional standards.

“We are thrilled to welcome Lana Vukovljak as the new CEO of ASA,” said Garrett Schwartz, ASA International President. “Lana’s extensive experience and dedication to professional education make her an outstanding leader for our organization. Her vision and strategic skills will be invaluable in advancing our mission internationally and continuing ASA’s leadership in the valuation profession.”

Vukovljak was selected after an extensive search led by Association Strategies, Alexandria, VA.

Bradley Goettl, DNP, FNP-C, ENP-C, AGACNP-BC, CFRN, FAEN, FAANP, FAAN, FACHE

The Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) has selected Bradley Goettl as their first Chief Clinical Officer. ENA is the premier professional nursing association dedicated to defining the future of emergency nursing through advocacy, education, research, innovation, and leadership. This newly created role will be responsible for expanding ENA’s clinical expertise, voice and impact, and identifying opportunities, partnerships, programs and other initiatives that advance and address needs in emergency nursing and emergency care.

“Bradley’s depth of knowledge and experience, as well as his mindset toward growth and innovation, make him an ideal fit for helping ENA grow its voice and impact,” ENA CEO Nancy MacRae said. “His two decades as an ENA member also give him a unique perspective that values the association’s support for emergency nurses, and I look forward to his leadership and partnership as we continue to advance excellence in emergency nursing globally.”

Goettl was selected after an extensive, national search led by Association Strategies, Alexandria, VA.

Bradley Goettl, DNP, FNP-C, ENP-C, AGACNP-BC, CFRN, FAEN, FAANP, FAAN, FACHE

Johnnie White, MBA, CAE, CMP

The American Association of Clinical Endocrinology (AACE) has announced the appointment of Johnnie White, MBA, CAE, CMP, as Chief Executive Officer. AACE is a global, inclusive community of more than 5,700 endocrine-focused clinical members, affiliates, and partners from every walk of professional life. AACE educates physicians and other health care professionals on evidence-based, unbiased, high quality, and timely clinical and research endocrine content that would result in impactful change in their professional skills, performance, and strategies caring for patients and their caregivers.

Mr. White brings over 30 years of results-focused association leadership experience to his new role, including successful tenures at national healthcare societies and experience working with and advocating for endocrinologists and other endocrine care team professionals.

“We are extremely pleased to have Mr. White join AACE as our Chief Executive Officer,” said Susan L. Samson, MD, PhD, FRCPC, FACE, President-Elect of AACE and Chair of the CEO Search Committee. “Mr. White brings deep leadership experience in professional associations and societies, as well as within the endocrinology specialty itself. He is absolutely the right person to continue to expand AACE’s presence worldwide and execute on our mission.”

This search was conducted by Association Strategies, Inc., Washington, D.C. and Tuft & Associates, Inc., Chicago.

Terrence D. Walton, MSW

NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals, has appointed Terrence Walton, MSW as their next Executive Director. NAADAC, represents the professional interests of more than 100,000 addiction counselors, educators and other addiction-focused health care professionals nationally and internationally. NAADAC’s members are addiction counselors, educators, and other addiction-focused health care professionals, who specialize in addiction prevention, treatment, recovery support and education.

With an impressive background in the addiction profession, Walton brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership skills. For the past decade, he has served as the chief operating officer for All Rise (founded as the National Association of Drug Court Professionals), where he led numerous national and international initiatives to develop the addiction treatment workforce and improve the effectiveness of substance use disorder treatment. “The Board of Directors and Executive Committee welcomes Mr. Walton as NAADAC’s new Executive Director,” said NAADAC President Angela Maxwell, PhD, CPS. “It was the goal of the search committee to identify a dynamic leader who is a visionary and possesses a unique combination of addiction experience, global perspective, strong fiscal management, and business acumen, as well as a palpable compassion for the stakeholders served by NAADAC. We are grateful that our extensive nationwide search connected us with Mr. Walton, and we are confident in Mr. Walton’s leadership to build upon NAADAC’s legacy of excellence. We look forward to supporting him as he establishes his leadership niche at NAADAC and propels the association into new successes as the premier strategic leader for the addiction profession.”

Walton was selected after an extensive, national search led by Association Strategies, Alexandria, VA.

Liana Watson, D.M., R.T.(R)(M)(S)(BS)(ARRT), RDMS, RVT, FASRT, PMP, CAE

Dr. Liana Watson, has been named the Chief Executive Officer for the highly respected American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). ARRT is the world’s largest organization offering credentials in medical imaging, interventional procedures, and radiation therapy. They certify and register technologists in a range of disciplines by overseeing and administering education, ethics, and examination requirements. She succeeds Jerry Reid, PhD, who announced his intended retirement to the ARRT Board in 2020, after serving the organization for 44 years.

Dr. Wagner most currently served as American Board of Imaging Informatics (ABII) Coordinator and ARRT Senior Program Manager, Government Affairs. ABII is a joint effort of ARRT and the Society for Imaging Informatics in Medicine (SIIM).

“Travis Prowant, M.S.H.S., R.R.A., R.T.(R)(CV)(CT)(ARRT), FASRT, President of the ARRT Board of Trustees, says the Board was pleased with the high caliber of candidates who interviewed for this role—and added that Watson’s qualifications stood out.” Dr. Watson will start in her new role January 1, 2023. This search was conducted by Association Strategies, Inc., Washington, D.C. and Tuft & Associates, Inc., Chicago.