Another New Beginning

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HACKETTSTOWN, NJ - Hopeful of reversing the turnover that has characterized its administrative leadership in recent years, while lending stability to its national headquarters here, the National Kitchen & Bath Association has named a new CEO to head the organization and help lead it into the future.

The appointment in late July of new CEO Michael Kelly fills a void created by the abrupt departure of former CEO Larry Spangler just prior to this year's Kitchen/Bath Industry Show. It also represents what association leadership admits is a change of direction in terms of the hiring criteria for the CEO position.

Kelly, with no previous trade association or kitchen and bath industry experience, comes to the NKBA from private industry. His most recent post was president and CEO of the Randolph, NJ-based General Wire & Stamping Co., Inc.

"We felt that since the NKBA has grown so significantly over the past several years, we wanted a little bit more of a business-savvy and real-world-type person," said NKBA president Jeffrey Cannata, CMKBD, as to why Kelly was chosen out of a field of some 150 candidates.

Allan Pattison, CMKBD, and 2005 NKBA president-elect, added: "What we have in Mike is somebody who will be a great leader for our staff, someone who understands the business world, who will be a great liaison for our allied members, and who understands the importance of the grassroots member."

Although there is no binding contractual agreement, Cannata believes Kelly will be with the NKBA for the long term, in contrast to the past several CEOs, whose tenure at the association fell far short of the average tenure of most trade association leaders.

"I like people who don't jump jobs every three years, and I am looking for a little bit more stability out of the CEO position," Cannata said, noting that this was one of the criteria for selecting the new CEO.

SHIFTING GEARS

According to Edward Nagorsky, general counsel for the NKBA since 1983, and a member of the three-person selection committee that chose the new CEO, Kelly's hiring reflects a shift in vision for the NKBA.

"I think it is a departure for the NKBA, and it is taking a little bit of a different direction, in terms of administration issues, by having someone from the outside coming into the organization," he noted.

The hiring, NKBA officials hope, will bring a fresh perspective, and perhaps a broader, more business-oriented outlook that will help the association continue to move forward and grow.

By working closely with the executive committee, Kelly will have the chance to apply his strong business, financial and leadership skills while immersing himself in the industry, Cannata said, adding that the NKBA's executive committee will be closely evaluating his performance.

"We are going to do a six-month review, and then the [standard] annual review," he noted, adding that Kelly will also be required to submit monthly reports to the executive committee to keep them abreast of the NKBA's progress.

Among Kelly's first duties will be to select a director of membership – one of several key staff positions that have been prone to high turnover in the recent past – Cannata said.

"Going forward, we are looking to strengthen up and build the staff, and put some key people in place," Pattison added.

A CRUCIAL JUNCTURE

Indeed, Kelly's tenure may prove to be a crucial juncture for the association, as it has already weathered the loss of several other key administrators since Spangler's departure, including a director of professional programs and director of marketing – posts that have since been filled.

In fact, Cannata noted, the past few months at the NKBA have shown just how intent the association is on proving that it is moving forward.