Past President/Chair History Project

As part of ESSAE's ongoing efforts to preserve and promote its heritage, we are collecting the memories of the Society's past volunteer leaders. This is an ongoing effort, so if you are a Past President or Chair, we encourage you to submit your remembrances by clicking here. 


 

Past President: Mark Yavornitzki, CAE

Year of Service: 1999. I was the last member to serve as President.

What was your main accomplishment or contribution made during your administration?
Amending the By-Laws to change the title of the association's Executive to President and the volunteer member President's title to Board Chairman as is the case with many trade associations.

Was there a major challenge or issue taking place in the Society, or our industry, during your tenure? How did it impact your administration?
Don't remember any.

Do you have a particular memory or story that you would like to share and have saved for posterity?
No.


Past Chair: Michael J. Mendrick

Year of Service: Board Chair in 2004, ESSAE’s 25th Anniversary Year.

What was your main accomplishment or contribution made during your administration?
During my year as ESSAE Chairperson in 2004, I chose “Building a career by growing your relationships through ESSAE” was my theme for the year. The year included a group night at a Siena game, a summer barbeque and the first “Autumn Idea Harvest” – all events meant to bring that theme to life for members. At the time, I wrote in the ESSAE newsletter, "This organization has provided me the opportunity to develop, maintain and enjoy dozens of long-term professional friendships and working relationships. Every time I come to an ESSAE event, it truly feels like a reunion more so than a gathering of business associates.”

Was there a major challenge or issue taking place in the Society, or our industry, during your tenure? How did it impact your administration?
It was the 25th anniversary of ESSAE. As such, we had much to celebrate and made every effort to raise our visibility both within the membership and externally.

Do you have a particular memory or story that you would like to share and have saved for posterity?
My memory of the year I served as Chair is filled with great times, renewal of old connections, new connections with colleagues and friends and a true sense of collaboration between association professionals and suppliers to the association industry. In particular we had special times at our Siena basketball night and our 25th anniversary barbecue in July at the Albany Visitors Center at Quackenbush Square.


Past Chair: Patricia K. Wood, CAE

Year of Service: 2004-2005

What was your main accomplishment or contribution made during your administration?
I had the amazing honor of overseeing the implementation of ESSAE's Association Leadership Academy (ALA). Through the creative vision of Rita Lashway, Kathy VanDeLoo, Jennifer Mauer and Penny Murphy, ALA was developed to provide executives with a new educational track to further develop their association management and related skills. ALA engaged the best and brightest professionals as deans and faculty members to deliver an extraordinary educational enrichment program that has greatly benefited ESSAE members, and those they served, for the past 15 years.

Was there a major challenge or issue taking place in the Society, or our industry, during your tenure? How did it impact your administration?
There were a variety of challenges and trends that were beginning to take hold among associations. First, there was an increasing trend among association members who rightfully demanded optimal value (ROI) for their investment of dues dollars and time spent in volunteer activities. There was also growing recognition regarding the need for greater diversity and inclusion within the association industry and professions at large. Many associations were also slow in accepting that they were too reliant on membership dues revenue as the major revenue source for their organization; non-dues revenue generation needed to become a higher priority. As ESSAE leaders and staff, we took these trends seriously, and developed relevant educational programs and online communities to share guidance and timely information.

Do you have a particular memory or story that you would like to share and have saved for posterity?
When I think back to my active ESSAE years, I have great fondness in recalling that no matter what profession or industry ESSAE members represented, every member would generously share time, advice and guidance with other members. It was, and continues to be, a fantastic source of support for association professionals. Among my many favorite memories was during an ESSAE Board Retreat, during our "fun" late afternoon activities, I teamed up with Sister Carol Cimino (ED of Catholic School Administrators) for a sailboat race. I was the Senior Director of Membership for the NYS Bar Association, so our team was "Bar Nun." And sure enough, God and lawyers were on our side, and we won the race! :)


Past Chair: Jim Calvin

Year of Service: 2011

What was your main accomplishment or contribution made during your administration?
Our board updated ESSAE's strategic plan. We extended the employment contract of our President & CEO. We welcomed as board members two future leaders of our Society -- Mark Nelson and Darryl Leggieri -- and we bid farewell to Past Chair Dick Poppa. We saluted 14 new graduates of the Association Leadership Academy, one of whom (Kelly Garceau) was destined to become ESSAE Board Chair. Our Expo luncheon keynote by storyteller, comedian and author Steve Gilliland was extraordinary.

Was there a major challenge or issue taking place in the Society, or our industry, during your tenure? How did it impact your administration?
No.

Do you have a particular memory or story that you would like to share and have saved for posterity?
Wisdom and Wellness Day "Thumper" tournament at Jiminy Peak.


Past Chair: Randy L. McCullough, CAE

Year of Service: 2013

What was your main accomplishment or contribution made during your administration?
The Board unanimously passed a motion I introduced that ESSAE would play a role in studying the future of associations in New York State, given the declining perception of the value of membership and many associations' financial challenges.
Was there a major challenge or issue taking place in the Society, or our industry, during your tenure? How did it impact your administration?
Not specifically. I also served as chair of ESSAE's Government Affairs Committee during that time, and for many years prior to that, and am proud to have helped increase ESSAE's presence and visibility with policy-makers.

Do you have a particular memory or story that you would like to share and have saved for posterity?
No, but I value the many friendships I have made through my involvement with ESSAE.


Past Chair: Kathy Febraio, CAE

Year of Service: 2015-16

What was your main accomplishment or contribution made during your administration?
During my tenure, I led the Board in making preparations for the retirement of our longstanding President/CEO, Penny Murphy. We modernized the organization's policies, reviewed and analyzed the organization's operations and engaged in member outreach to get an in-depth understanding of the needs of the industry as we prepared to hire our first new leader in decades. A search committee that included several past leaders of ESSAE as well as current, active volunteers were tasked with narrowing the field of candidates for the Board’s review and did so quite successfully; Vanessa LeClair, CMP, was hired as our new Executive Director at the close of my term.

Was there a major challenge or issue taking place in the Society, or our industry, during your tenure? How did it impact your administration?
Transitioning any organization through the replacement of a long-term executive is always challenging. The Board members I worked with were committed, professional and dedicated to the best outcome for the organization. We created a strong foundation for the new executive and the next slate of Board leaders. I will always be grateful for their support and service.

Do you have a particular memory or story that you would like to share and have saved for posterity?
As Board Chair, you are provided registration to the ASAE Annual Conference which was held in Detroit the year I served. At the time, Detroit was completing a transformation of itself as they recovered from the economic recession caused by the housing bubble burst. It was apparent that Detroit leaders were working together and were resolved to come back stronger than ever. The comparison to the challenge the ESSAE board was managing was not lost on me. Detroit successfully put its best self forward that year and so did ESSAE—the board, the members and our volunteers.


Past Chair: Brian Buff

Year of Service: 2019-20

What was your main accomplishment or contribution made during your administration?
As we used the year to commemorate the Society’s 40th Anniversary, we focused on making our governance stronger. To deepen our leadership bench and develop succession planning, we appointed leadership teams for all of the Society’s Committees, so the responsibility would not fall all on one person. We were blessed to have so many incredible colleagues step-up to serve ESSAE—enlarging our volunteer cadre. Two Leadership Days were held in order to bring together all of our dedicated Board and Committee Leaders in one room for sharing, collaborative planning, and further connecting all that we were doing as leaders with the Society’s Strategic Plan.

Was there a major challenge or issue taking place in the Society, or our industry, during your tenure? How did it impact your administration?
After many years of tension and misunderstanding, Executive Director Vanessa LaClair and I reached out to our respective peers at the New York Society of Association Executives (NYSAE), to promote a spirit of mutual respect and cooperation. We inaugurated this effort with an ESSAE Proclamation honoring NYSAE at its Centennial Celebration in NYC. We also held a joint reception for New Yorkers at ASAE in Columbus, Ohio in August 2019, and invited NYSAE to join us for our annual Association Advocacy Day in Albany. This work continues and is helping promote an unified voice of association professionals across our entire state.

Do you have a particular memory or story that you would like to share and have saved for posterity?
June 6, 2019 | Annual Conference & Trade Show | Albany Capital Center: I remember standing outside the 40th Anniversary Exhibit with Past Chairs Rita Lashway and Jimmy Calvin, and Executive Director Vanessa LaClair. We all stood there taking in the energy and excitement of the day—with members attending professional development, networking, meeting with exhibitors, helping us honor our ALA Master Graduates, as well as even taking a few moments during the day to help assemble 1,000 hygiene kits from components donated by our many CVB and hotel partners. Vanessa and I were getting ready to deliver the hygiene kits to two social service agencies for distribution to those in need. Taking it all in—we all commented on how we were just so proud of our Society—proud of our incredible members—proud to be Association Executives.


Past Chair: Rita Ferris

Year of Service: 2020-21

What was your main accomplishment or contribution made during your administration?
ESSAE's dedicated Board of Directors, Committees and Executive Director successfully served the membership professionally and personally during a world pandemic. Every aspect of ESSAE's events and educational offerings were repositioned to offer members the right value at the right time. From experts sharing their experiences on organizations managing viral outbreaks, to those teaching how to provide membership value in a virtual world, to diversity and inclusion education offered as part of ESSAE's ALA Master's Class, and proactive advocacy with JCOPE, not a beat was missed. ESSAE also provided support to individual members by providing a virtual wellness series, happy hours, emotional resilience expertise, and guiding members on how to remain productive in a virtual world.

Was there a major challenge or issue taking place in the Society, or our industry, during your tenure? How did it impact your administration?
Outside of the world pandemic, and extraordinary political and social movements there were none.

Do you have a particular memory or story that you would like to share and have saved for posterity?
I'd like to thank the ESSAE membership for their extraordinary support during this year. It has been a joy to serve you. I also want to thank Brian Buff who provided me with exceptional tools to make my year easy and I congratulate Maura Ryan on her installation as Chair. There is no doubt that ESSAE will remain in good stead with her at the helm.