Meet Your Association Basics Speakers

Association Basics Contact Us

 

Learn from Experienced Association Professionals 

May 2024 Session Speakers

Matt Miller

MATT MILLER
CEO, Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards (CLARB)

Matt Miller is an association executive with 19 years of experience in managing and leading mission-driven organizations and currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer for the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards (CLARB). At CLARB, Matt manages and collaborates with the staff team in its execution of the annual scope of work approved and funded by the Board of Directors. Matt also serves as a spokesperson for CLARB and as an ex-officio member of the Board of Directors. 

Previously, Matt’s role as Executive Director & CEO at the American Welding Society (AWS) required the management of a $40M annual revenue budget, diverse programs, staff development, board relations, and volunteer engagement. 

Prior to his position at AWS, Matt served as the Chief Operating Officer for NACE International where he had product and operations responsibility for education, conferences, membership, market analytics, project management, IT, finance, and the NACE Foundation. Additionally, Matt worked as the Director of the SAE Foundation and Pre-Professional Programs at SAE International where he was responsible for directing the operations and fundraising activities of the SAE Foundation and setting the strategic direction of SAE’s Pre-Professional Education Programs including the award-winning A World in Motion program, SAE’s Collegiate Design Series, and numerous awards and scholarships.  

Matt earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1997, a Master of Science in Instructional Technology from Duquesne University in 2000, and a Master of Science in Nonprofit Management from Robert Morris University in 2010. 

Matt is also a proud veteran of the U.S. Army (1989 – 1992) with service in Operation Desert Storm (1990 – 1991). 

 

Bob Chalker Headshot

Bob Chalker, MBA, CAE

Former CEO, Association for Materials Protection and Performance

Bob Chalker is the former Chief Executive Officer of AMPP and the AMPP Global Center. AMPP was created in 2021 through the merger of NACE International and SSPC, The Society for Protective Coatings, with a staff of 200 employees, over 36,000 members in 110 countries and an annual turnover exceeding $US43 million.  Bob retired in June 2023 but continues to stay active in a variety of consulting and project opportunities in the areas of governance and executive coaching.

He earned his MBA at Oakland University (Rochester, Michigan) and completed his bachelor's degree in industrial engineering at the University of Cincinnati.

Bob is very happily married to his wife Kim. They have two grown children, Taylor and Stephen, and a two beautiful granddaughters, Finleigh Colleen and Leila Valerie.  He putting his extra time in retirement to good use as he and Kim are very active in their church and community organizations serving as called. Together they enjoy scuba diving, traveling in their RV, reading and their passion for little British cars, owning a 1972 MGB and a 1959 MGA roadster. 

 

June 2024 Session Speakers

Elena Gerstmann Headshot

Elena Gerstmann, PhD, ACC, FASAE, CAE

Executive Director, INFORMS

Elena Gerstmann uses she/her/hers pronouns. Elena is the Executive Director of INFORMS. INFORMS is the largest association for decision and data sciences. It advances and promotes the science and technology of decision making to save lives, save money, and solve problems. Before joining INFORMS, Elena served as a Principal at Avenue M Group. She previously served on the senior executive team at the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).

She earned her doctorate in social psychology from Rutgers University. She is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community. She is a past board member of ASAE and is excited to begin her service on the CESSE Board of Directors.. 

 

Rebekah Stacha Headshot

Rebekah Stacha, CAE

Chief Executive Officer, Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering (SAMPE)

Rebekah Stacha brings over two decades of leadership expertise, innovative publishing solutions, operations management, and people development to her role as CEO of SAMPE. At SAMPE, Rebekah's focus is on nurturing a dynamic and innovative environment that responds adeptly to the evolving needs of the materials and processes community, ensuring the association remains at the forefront of the industry and bolsters the association's global presence.

Before her current role, Rebekah worked for 24 years at the Society of Petroleum Engineers in a variety of roles, laying a strong foundation for association leadership. She holds a degree in management from the Mays School of Business at Texas A&M University and is a Certified Association Executive (CAE). Rebekah is an active contributor to several professional communities, including the Council of Engineering and Scientific Executives, Society of Scholarly Publishing, and the American Society of Association Executives, where her leadership abilities have been consistently recognized and celebrated.. 

 

Upcoming Association Basics