The ISEE Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Steven B. Shivak, M.S., CAE, as our new executive director. Steve started the position April 26, 2021, becoming ISEE’s third executive director.
As we move into this next chapter for our society, we thank Winston Forde for his service over the past nine years. Under his leadership ISEE has greatly enhanced our international presence and our relationships with affiliates and the membership.
Steve is coming from the position of Director of Membership and Interim Vice President of Conferences and Meetings for the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) – a trade association representing the interests of the asphalt pavement industry with federal officials, departments, and agencies. He was directly responsible for membership, meetings, education and conferences and expositions.
Under his leadership, new membership acquisition increased by more than 30 percent and the association achieved a best-in-class member retention of 96 percent. With a strong entrepreneurial and innovative spirit, Steve works with volunteer leadership and staff to strengthen the value proposition, advance the association’s mission, and increase its visibility and success.
Steve has more than 30 years of experience in non-profits including: SAE International, NACE International, The American Productivity & Quality Center, Pittsburgh Technology Council, and the SMC Business Councils. He has a master’s degree in marketing, a bachelor’s in public relations and is completing his Business Analytics Certificate from the Wharton School of Business. He also holds a Certified Association Executive certification through the American Society of Association Executives and sits on their Membership Section Advisory Council. His family lives in Pittsburgh, but he will operate out of the Cleveland office as restrictions ease.
Steve impressed us with his energy, enthusiasm and ideas during the interview process as well as the questions he asked us about the ISEE. Although he is from outside the industry, he is rapidly researching our industry and developing contacts to bring him up to speed. We expect to see some dynamism around ways to increase our membership and reach as he brings his experience in that area to the ISEE. His conference management experience will also be an asset and he has put forward some interesting ideas to leverage the great work that has been done with the SEE Education Foundation to increase its value and spread. We are also impressed with Steve’s coaching and mentoring skills, both for our staff and for our board of directors.
The unique circumstances due to COVID-19 restrictions has made this a challenging process. The board of directors commends and thanks the hiring team, which consisted of the Executive Committee and two board members, Johan Gjødvad and Kristie Allen-Bishop, who completed a thorough and extensive search. We are confident that Steve Shivak is the right person to lead the ISEE into the future. Please welcome him into his new role and make the time to get to know him as he settles into the role.