Seven Direct Marketing Association board members, and one executive, have been charged with finding the DMA’s next president and CEO.
The seven board members are just-past DMA chair Kelly B. Browning, who is executive VP and COO of the American Institute for Cancer Research; current DMA board chair Eugene R. Raitt, senior VP of Accident and Health and CMO of Asia Allied World Assurance Company; David S. Williams, Chairman and CEO of Merkle, Inc.; Brian Wolfe, executive VP of consumer marketing and sales for Time, Inc.; Steven Dapper, chairman and founder of Hawkeye; Don McKenzie, president and CEO of Direct Group; Matt Blumberg, CEO and chairman of Return Path.
They are joined by Sue R.E. Geramian, the DMA’s senior VP and chief communications officer.
The DMA’s need for a new leader grew out of the sudden departure of John A. Greco, the most recent president and CEO. Greco left his position with nearly six months left on his most recent contract extension, which ran through June 30.
The DMA expects to name an interim president and CEO shortly. Greco’s permanent replacement should be seated within three to five months, according to DMA officials.
“This team is a diverse group of professionals that are all dedicated to moving the DMA in a positive direction,” Browning said in a statement. “We will conduct a rigorous search process, and I am confident that we will find an exceptionally qualified individual to fulfill the goals and vision set forth by the DMA.”
In the same statement, Raitt confirmed the committee will work with an executive search firm
“The permanent replacement for the DMA president and CEO will face a rigorous slate of requirements,” Raitt added in the statement. “They need a comprehensive understanding of the association marketplace, a deep knowledge of direct marketing practices, management skills, visibility within the industry and outstanding credentials across a wide range of traditional and new media, particularly digital and social channels.
“The new leader will be required to navigate some very difficult stretches for DMA and have the capacity for negotiating with other trade associations. Their understanding of direct marketing practices and grasp of direct marketing’s impact on the US economy are critical,” Raitt concluded.
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