Many association executives don't seek out their jobs.  Their jobs tend to find them.  I was no exception, finding my way to Olson Management Group in an attempt to futher my career as a journalist. 

   OMG was a professional multi-association management company.  As an account executive, I performed a variety of duties for different kinds of associations: meeting planning, newsletter writing, editing and production; executive administration, strategic planning, membership growth and retention, member services, government affairs, and special projects.

  Eventually, I became a dedicated executive for the N.C. Press Association, and was hired as a direct employee of the association, leaving OMG in 1994.  As executive director, I helped grow the association from a near bankrupt status in 1985 to a three-pronged organization: a 501 (c )(6) trade association, the parent company of  a for-profit marketing subsidiary that places more than $30 million in advertising in newspapers all over the state, and a 501 (c )(3) educational foundation. In 2005, they collectively had an investment portfolio approaching $1 million.

  I have long been active in professional associations representing my type of work.

    In addition to my bachelor’s degree, I hold a Certification in Association Management (CAE) from ASAE, earned in 1992

    When I left NCPA in July 2005, I decided to pursue personal goals, including an exciting  newspaper oral history project, and to use my years of association management experience to help other organizations.