Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/825042
8 FEDA News & Views Association Highlights FEDA Announces New Deputy Executive Vice President Ray Herrick Executive Vice President ray@feda.com Need more information on how FEDA can help you? Contact me by phone at 800-677-9605 or by email. I n about a year, I will pass the baton after 35 years at FEDA's helm. The FEDA Executive Committee, along with the FEDA staff, helped review 38 professional association management candidates and after a four-month pro- cess announced that we hired Tracy Mulqueen, CAE, as deputy execu- tive vice president, effective March 27, 2017. Tracy will be working closely with me for a full year and will assume the role of executive vice president April 1, 2018, when I retire as FEDA's executive vice president. I will then be doing consulting with FEDA's leadership through July 5, 2018, as executive direc- tor emeritus. After that, we'll see what adventures await. Tracy joins FEDA after more than 25 years of successful experience as an asso- ciation CEO. Most recently, she served as president and CEO of the Greater Oak Brook Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Partnership for 12 years. She is a true association pro- fessional who will serve the member- ship well for many years to come. Our members will thoroughly enjoy getting to know her as I have. I am looking forward to working with Tracy over the next year. FEDA, NAFEM and CFESA Joint Channel Conference FEDA, NAFEM and CFESA are hold- ing a fi rst-ever joint channel conference, March 21-25, 2018, at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort and Spa in Palm Desert, Calif. This new conference was created to understand each other's role in the marketplace; elevate business management skills; harness best prac- tices; and address and resolve mutual industry issues—all in an effort to better serve our customers. FEDA will lead as the industry hub for this event in even years. Conversely, during the years that The NAFEM Show is held, FEDA will host its traditional convention. Stay tuned! Life is Good! Many of you have asked about my Parkinson's progress. I feel very good and I am happy to report that I am exercising every day, which includes my participation in "Rock Steady Boxing for Parkinson's." (What a hoot!) I am under the care of a great neurologist and blessed by a loving God. My symptoms seem to be progressing slowly so life is good and my dear wife, Julie, is standing right beside me all the way. What can I say other than I am blessed and thank- ful. "We had more than 30 qualifi ed candidates that were interested in this position and Tracy became the clear candidate of choice after several interviews with the EXCOM. Her fresh perspective, strate- gic vision and can-do attitude will help lead our organization through change and transition in an effi cient and focused manner." --FEDA President Joe Schmitt Tracy Mulqueen, CAE, Deputy Executive Vice President