2008 Institute
National Board of Trustees

Spotlight on... 

Gary A. LaBranche, CAE CHAIR President and CEO Association Forum of Chicagoland Chicago, IL Term: Through 2009

MEET GARY LABRANCHE...

Professional Accomplishments: Over the past 5 years, the Association Forum has accomplished many goals that have added value to our membership experience and advanced our profession, including:

• Re-designed FORUM magazine, which has since been honored as one of the best association publications in the country;
• Launched Association Week, including a new Gala, to celebrate the profession;
• Tripled the number of educational offerings;
• Launched a PAC and achieved several major public policy initiatives
• Committed $1 million over 5 years to improve the diversity of management personnel employed by Chicagoland area associations;
• Opened a custom-designed learning center and office facility, featuring state-of-the-art technology;
• created a workplace culture that was recognized with the Alfred P. Sloan Award for Workplace Excellence and Flexibility;
• Demonstrated technological innovations including podcasting and blog 

Members and Customers have responded to these efforts: membership retention exceeds 90%; membership has grown by 38% and revenues by 48%. Reserves have more than doubled to $2.5 million.

Family:  Karen and I have been married for 21 years. Our daughter, Catie, just started the second grade.

Current Residence:  We live in a 110 year-old restored Victorian house just near Northwestern University in Evanston, Il.

Hometown:  Lorain, Ohio. 
 
Average Workday: 9-10 hours

Favorite Stress Reducer: Playing golf or baseball with my daughter, enjoying a good meal with my wife, listening to A Prarie Home Companion and reading non-fiction (history, management) are a few of my favorite things.

Proudest Moment:  Professionally; receiving the 2007 Key Award in front of my family, friends and colleagues during the ASAE & Center Annual Meeting in Chicago. Personally: every time I see my daughter smile.

Person You'd Like to Meet:  As a student of history, I would have loved to have met Abraham Lincoln, George Marshall, Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, Clara Barton, Theodore Roosevelt and Martin Luther King.

What Motivates You:  The Next challenge

What can't you live without:  My family and a library of books.

What advice would you offer young nonprofit execs: Continue to learn throughout your career; keep up-to-date on trends and changes in the field; remember that you are professionals and lead with passion, integrity and courage.

Best thing about Institute:  Institute provides a strong foundation for professional growth, not only from a content standpoint. but also from a relationship and networking perspective.

Goals as 2007 Institute Chair: Provide an optimal learning environment and experience for students; support faculty and advisors in their work; ensure the sustainability and quality of the Institute program; grow the Invested Leaders program.

NATIONAL BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Perry Webb, IOM, CCE
VICE CHAIR
President and CEO
Springdale Chamber of Commerce
Springdale, AR
Term: Through 2010

Russell C. Salzman, IOM, CAE
VICE CHAIR
CEO and Executive Vice President
Institute of Real Estate Management
Chicago, IL
Term: Through 2011

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