NARI Announces New CEO
The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) announced its new CEO yesterday, concluding a six-month-long search for a candidate to fill the vacant role.
Christine Melendes will begin in the role of CEO next week. Melendes brings more than 20 years of experience working with associations, most recently as Senior Vice President of Events & Strategic Projects at the Association for Corporate Growth. NARI says executive officers interviewed 20 potential candidates.
Before that role, Melendes served as Director of Membership Marketing for the Professional Convention Management Association and Operations Director at the Women’s Foodservice Forum. She brings a Certified Association Executive credential, which denotes a professional with essential skills and experience for managing associations.
“Christine Melendes is the perfect choice to be the CEO of NARI,” NARI President Chris Egner said in the official news release. “Christine brings a proven track record of engaging and developing members, and of working collaboratively with members and chapter leaders nationwide. Her fresh perspective will bring new vitality to NARI as she develops and implements our new strategic vision.”
Enger says NARI will move forward with its new strategic plan, created through member input, and the association will conduct a salary survey for the first time in several years. The association will also focus on strengthening its digital presence and offerings.
Melendes’ appointment comes nine months after the departure of the previous CEO David Pekel, whose exit followed a year of tension between local branches and NARI national. NARI COO Elsie Iturralde has served as interim CEO since November.
