JOHN H. GRAHAM IV, CAE became the President and Chief Executive Officer of ASAE August 1, 2003. During the first year of his tenure, ASAE and GWSAE completed an historic merger resulting in a new, unified organization. ASAE helps associations and association professionals achieve previously unimaginable levels of performance. ASAE is more than 22,000 association executives and industry partners representing nearly 11,000 organizations, with a budget of $35 million and a staff of 135. Our members manage leading trade associations, individual membership societies, and voluntary organizations across the United States and in 50 countries around the globe, as well as provide products and services to the association community.

Before ASAE, he served the American Diabetes Association (ADA) in Alexandria, Virginia for 24 years, the last thirteen as Chief Executive Officer. Prior to becoming CEO, John served the ADA in numerous capacities including Executive Director of the Greater Philadelphia Affiliate, National Director of Affiliate Development, Associate Executive Vice President for Operations and Deputy Executive Vice President. In his tenure as CEO, ADA quadrupled in size, from $50 million to $200 million in annual revenues and successfully moved from 53 independent, separately incorporated affiliate organizations to one nationwide organization with one staff, one budget and one plan.

Before joining the American Diabetes Association, John served the Boy Scouts of America for nine years. He has a bachelor’s degree from Franklin & Marshall College and serves on the Association Committee of 100, US Chamber of Commerce; Chairman of the Better Business Bureau Mobile Giving Foundation Board of Directors; America’s Promise Board of Trustee’s; and the Board of Directors of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity.

David W. Giger, Senior Director- Sales & Industry Relations, Hilton Worldwide

David has held various executive positions with Hilton for over 35 years, including Director of Sales & Marketing positions for the Hilton Pittsburgh, The Capital Hilton, and DC's second largest hotel, The Washington Hilton. He also served for 8 of those years as Director of Sales- Worldwide Accts for Hilton Worldwide in Washington, was named Hilton's National Salesperson of the Year in 1997, promoted to Director-Sales & Industry Relations in 1999, and Senior Director in May 2006. He has received countless awards from his company though his many professional years, including induction to Hilton's Circle of Excellence, a group of Hilton's most accomplished sales executives, in years 1997, 2007, and 2008.

His current "hybrid" position with Hilton, representing the company's family of many brands and approximately 4000 hotels globally, combines duties to include select national account management, industry relations responsibilities, and special projects.

He is a 35 year active member of ASAE and PCMA, both for which he has served, and continues to serve, on many committees, and is an active member of AMPS. David co-founded the Capital Chapter of PCMA, the organization's largest chapter, as well as PCMA's Annual Professional Achievement Awards Dinner. During most of his career he has also been an active member and officer in the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association Intl., and was inducted into their Washington DC Hall of Fame.

Carrie Meadows Abernathy, CMP, CEM, Director of Education, Training & Events Practice, Greenhealth, Reston,VA

Professional association positions: Conference Manager, International Association of Fire Chiefs, 2009-12. Assistant, Jefferson Center Foundation, 2004-05.

Accomplishments: Most recently I’ve been elected onto the board of trustees for the Green Meeting Industry Council Foundation. This is incredibly close to me as I’ve had a passion for sustainable meetings for some time now and hope to make a difference as part of its leadership. I’ve also recently spoken as a subject matter expert at Professional Convention Management Association’s Convening Leaders 2012 conference in San Diego, and am speaking on the circuit for MPI and International Association of Exhibitions and Events as a subject matter expert in the field of personal branding for young professionals.

Education and Certifications: Certified Meeting Professional, 2010; Certification in Exhibition Management, 2011; candidate for Certified Special Events Professional Certification, 2012.

Mitchell L. Dvorak, MS, CAE, Account Executive, Bostrom, Chicago, IL

Professional Association Positions: Bostrom, executive director of the National Association of Housing Cooperatives (2011-present), and the Council of Medical Specialty Societies (2012-present). Founding executive director of Consumer Advancing Patient Safety (2002-11); education and liaison program manager, National Patient Safety Foundation at the AMA (2000-02); field representative, Federation Relations, American Medical Association (1996-2000); account executive, membership marketing, American Medical Association (1995-96); and director of member services and legislative liaison, North Dakota Medical Association (1995).

Accomplishments: Started my own association management and professional services company in 2002, providing management and consulting services to professional member, charitable and mission-driven organizations. Cofounded Consumers Advancing Patient Safety (CAPS) in 2002 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to fostering the role of consumers as proactive partners in making healthcare safer. Directed the CAPS project team on submitting and receiving eight federally funded grants or contracts between 2002 and 2011 that totaled $762,000. Co-authored article “Patient Safety: A Consumer’s Perspective.” Qualitative Health Research. Hovey R, Dvorak ML, et al. Pre-published February 22, 2011.

Education and Certifications: MS in public service management, DePaul University, Chicago, 2003; BA in political science/public administration, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, 1994; Certified Association Executive, ASAE, 2005.

Tita Thompson Freeman, SVP, Business Roundtable, Washington DC

Professional Association Positions: SVP, Business Roundtable (March 2012-present); SVP, communications and public affairs, National Retail Federation (April 2011-March 2012); VP, communications, U.S. Chamber (2008-11); director, communications, Business Roundtable (2002-07).

Accomplishments: Helped reinvent and reignite the 30-person communications team at the U.S. Chamber. Helped develop, launch and lead one of the most significant campaigns in the US Chamber’s history – the Campaign for Free Enterprise. Played instrumental role in launch and success of Business Roundtable’s CEO Economic Outlook Survey, now 10 years old. Named one of “40 Under 40” top communications practitioners in the country under the age of 40 by PR Week Magazine.

Education and Certifications: BA, Williams College.

Leslie McGee, Managing Editor, Oncology Nursing Society, Pittsburgh PA

Professional Association Positions: Oncology Nursing Society, 2001-present: managing editor, 2007-present; senior staff editor, 2005-07; staff editor, 2003-05; copy editor, 2001-03.

Professional Affiliations: Association Media & Publishing board member, 2010-14; EXCEL Awards chairman, 2010-12; AM&P nominating committee, 2011; AM&P Senior Executive Task Force, 2011; EXCEL Awards judge, 2008-12; ASAE member, 2010-present.

Accomplishments: Coordinated and directed two successful in-house journal redesigns, one that was an award winner. Led two comprehensive RFPs, yielding significant savings without compromising on quality. Implemented digital editions as a new member benefit for both journals. Negotiated the terms for production and distribution of several journal supplements. Devised and executed a social media and web strategy for the journals.

Education and Certifications: BA in English, Clarion University of Pennsylvania.

Evan Williams, CAE, IOM, VP of External Relations, Mechanical Contractors Association, Burr Ridge, Ill.

Professional Association Positions: VP of external relations, Mechanical Contractors Association, 2006-present; government affairs advocate for various associations via contract, 2000-06; state of Illinois, 1997-2000.

Accomplishments: Managed a governance overhaul, including development of new association bylaws, governance policies, and electronic board meetings. Developed a strategic governance scorecard to manage association’s strategic priorities and volunteer actions. Raised the association’s profile among external constituencies, including other associations, government and the private sector. Created an associationwide grassroots advocacy program, more than doubling PAC contributions, improving volunteer engagement, and increasing effectiveness before government.

Education and Certifications: BA in political science and history, minor in Spanish, Millikin University, Decatur, Ill.; earned CAE in 2011; earned IOM in 2011.