WOMMA CEO Resigns
- by Tom Siebert , December 12, 2006
In an open letter to members, Sernovitz says he is leaving the leadership role at the organization with "mixed emotions," but plans to remain an active member. He will return to consulting, speaking, teaching and writing. His first book, "Word of Mouth Marketing," was published in November.
Susan Tibbitts, executive director--who joined the WOMMA staff more than a year ago--will manage the association, supported by WOMMA's recently expanded staff of eight association professionals.
Sernovitz was named full-time CEO of WOMMA in October 2004, following a three-month part-time period. He had previously run a similar organization, the Association for Interactive Marketing, which also served a pioneering role for Internet companies.
"It's miraculous what Andy was able to drive and create over such a short period of time," says board member Paul Rand, of Ketchum Public Relations. "He's a brilliant entrepreneurial guy, and I also think he recognizes that his strength is more in the startup and growth phase than the management phase."
This year's WOMMA summit has more than 500 people registered to attend, Rand says--the largest to date.
Tibbitts has a background in associations and other nonprofits, and knows the Washington, D.C. landscape well. A former executive director for Common Cause, she was also a presidential management intern and spent six years as a civil servant examiner at the White House Office of Management and Budget. She spent seven years at the American Academy of Dermatology before joining WOMMA in 2005.
Sernovitz says he is confident that he is leaving the organization in good hands, and feels satisfied with his accomplishments.
"This was always a two-year gig, and now I'm returning to civilian life," Sernovitz says, battling laryngitis on the eve of the WOMMA Summit. "We've accomplished two major goals: We've developed a good, solid professional staff and great board members. I can go back to being a guru consultant."
