New Beginnings

DeAnne Toto

This year’s PRISM International Annual Conference May 15 to 17 in Las Vegas marks the end of an era. Jim Booth, who has served as executive director of the association since late 1999, is leaving his post, as is the rest of the current PRISM International staff—Melissa Burton, Wendy Gordon, Kathy Lewis, John Ulmer and Sam Autry. Attendees of this year’s event will have the opportunity to wish these long-serving professionals good luck in their future endeavors and in life. Those in attendance also will have the opportunity to meet Dave Bergeson, the new executive director of PRISM International, as well as the rest of the new PRISM team.

In an announcement to PRISM International members dated March 8, 2012, the association’s President Jim Teske provides the first details of the trade group’s new leadership: Association Management Center (www.connect2amc.com), Glenview, Ill. Teske writes, “Through a good amount of direct interaction, we found that the background and culture of AMC is similar to many PRISM International member companies. AMC is a second-generation, family owned business ... that has a solid reputation of trust with their clients.”

With the help of Vetted Solutions, a Washington, D.C.-based executive search consulting firm serving nonprofits and associations, the PRISM International transition committee narrowed its management choices down to AMC. The transition committee also identified several strategic needs for PRISM International going forward: ensuring the association’s long-term stability, enhancing member and corporate partner value; and expanding the international reach of the association.

Teske reminds members that the task force’s goal from the start of the process has been to improve and grow PRISM International. He notes that the association has “never been in better shape financially,” having recently surpassed its strategic cash reserve target. “Going forward it is my expectation that the board will look toward strategies to reinvest potential savings reserves into a formal membership growth campaign, new members services and international support,” he adds.

The staff of SDB looks forward to welcoming Bergeson and the rest of the new PRISM staff at this year’s conference.

We’d also like to thank Jim, Melissa, Wendy, Kathy, John and Sam for their many contributions to the industry during their tenure with PRISM International and wish them good luck in their future endeavors.