Swisher to retire in January

Randall Swisher, CEO of the American Wind Energy Assn, Washington, will retire in January. He has been executive director since 1989, and before was legislative representative, American Public Power Assn, Washington; energy program director, National Assn of Counties, Washington; and executive director, DC Public Interest Research Group. AWEA has not yet announced details about an interim, possible successor or a executive search.

Radio alliance to 'reignite passion'

April 28 - National Assn of Broadcasters, Radio Advertising Bureau, and HD Digital Radio Alliance launched the Radio Heard Here campaign, an education program to “bring radio back to the forefront of consumers' minds.”

According to the group, despite the proliferation of electronic media devices, radio still reaches
235-million Americans each week. Part of the campaign will include an education component, to teach advertisers the value of radio. The campaign is an offshoot of "Radio 2020,” a multiyear and multimillion campaign to make every portable media device able to receive radio signals by 2020.

"Like any longterm relationship, things have become a little predictable. [Radio] just needs a little help to reignite the passion," NAB CEO David Rehr said.

CEOs coming and going

Paul Hartgen, chief executive of the Nevada Restaurant Assn, Las Vegas, will be the new CEO of the Restaurant Assn of Maryland, Columbia MD, beginning June 30. He succeeds Marshall Weston Jr., EVP, Maryland Hospitality Education Foundation, who has been interim president since CEO Marcia Harris died in September following a short illness.

Tom Rogers, CEO of Technology 2020 has retired after 12 years as leader of the public-private nonprofit that lobbies for tech jobs in the Tennessee Valley Corridor. He has accepted a position as industrial and economic development partnerships director, Oak Ridge (TN) National Laboratory. CFO David Snider will serve as interim CEO while the board initiates an executive search.

Jaynee Drange Groseth, alumni relations executive director at Montana State U., has been named CEO of the MSU Alumni Assn. She joined MSU in 1975, and worked in the admissions office and alumni relations office. As a state employee of the university, she will retain her current title as executive director.

President George W. Bush

"The government cannot create entrepreneurs; its role should be to create an environment for entrepreneurship."

- President George W. Bush, at the US Chamber of Commerce Small Business Summit, April 18. Right, the President was introduced by US Chamber CEO Tom Donohue

We thought it was funny too

Jack Canfield, CEO, Chicken Soup for the Soul Enterprises, incorporated in several comics (as well as other interactive bits) to keep his presentation lively during ASAE & the Center's Springtime 2008. Included were several of Gary Larson's old-yet-still-funny "The Far Side" panels, and the above classic Easter card.

This year, a total of 4,518 people (including 2,390 assn professionals and 2,128 exhibitors) made Springtime's recorded attendance the highest yet, ASAE said. Full coverage this week in TRENDS.

Givray is Forum Shapiro Award winner

SmithBucklin CEO Henry S. Givray is the recipient of the Assn Forum of Chicagoland's 2008 Samuel B. Shapiro Award for CEO achievement. The award is the assn's highest honor. Givray will be honored at the Forum Honors Gala, June 19 at the Navy Pier in Chicago.

Givray worked for SmithBucklin from 1983 to 1996, and returned to the AMC in 2002 as CEO. His success in revitalizing SmithBucklin is featured in the book Results Rule by business performance consultant Randy G. Pennington. In 2005, Givray oversaw the transfer of ownership of the company from investors to employees, which he calls the proudest moment of his career. Other accomplishments under his leadership include:

- Creating the William E. Smith Institute for Assn Research
- SmithBucklin joined with MCI Group to create the SmithBucklin + MCI Global Partnership
- creating the SmithBucklin Innovation Center
-launch of the SmithBucklin Learning Center
- Spirit of Hospitality Award from Direct Marketing Assn International Foundation
- 100 most influential people in the tradeshow business by Tradeshow Week.