The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) announced its search for a new CEO has come to a close, with the association selecting two longstanding staff members to take the helm as co-CEOs. Previous Interim CEO Elsie Iturralde, CAE, and previous Senior Director of Member Engagement and Governance Tracy Wright, CAE, will lead the association together.
In its official release, the association says this tenured leadership decision will bring members leadership stability moving forward. The new CEOs come six months after the departure of past CEO Christine Melendes, who served from July 2022 to February 2023. Melendes filled the role that had been left vacant for nine months following former CEO David Pekel's departure.
Iturralde and Wright have more than 22 years of experience each with the association, and bring experience previously working together at the International Warehouse Logistics Association. Both have held the American Society of Association Executives' Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential for 14 years, which represents a commitment to the association profession and the demonstration of a range of knowledge required for industry management.
“The NARI Executive Officers and Board of Directors agreed that based on both Elsie and Tracy’s breadth of experience and history of working together, the co-CEO role was a perfect fit to move NARI forward,” says NARI President Andy Apter, CKBR, UDCP. “Elsie has twice served as Interim CEO, and Tracy has served in various leadership positions at the association over the years. Together, this leadership team will help guide NARI to meet our strategic goals.
“I am honored and thrilled to embark on this exciting journey with Tracy as we chart the course to lead the Voice of the Remodeling Industry, NARI, toward a future full of endless possibilities,” says Iturralde.
“I am honored for the opportunity to serve NARI in the co-CEO role with Elsie. We look forward to leading NARI alongside our Board of Directors in the continued pursuit of providing value to our members and chapters and strengthening the professionalism of the remodeling industry,” says Wright.
The association says the leadership decision supports the association's systems and process upgrades to benefit chapters and members.