AWCI President Nancy Brinkerhoff has announced that Michael F. Stark will succeed Steven A. Etkin as executive vice president and CEO of the Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industry and the Foundation of the Wall and Ceiling Industry beginning Sept. 9, 2019.

Stark is an association professional with 19 years of experience in senior positions for three national construction associations and three years of experience on Capitol Hill. Most recently he was vice president of knowledge programs and building markets at the Associated General Contractors of America, a position he has held since 2013. There, Stark directed two departments and generated substantial annual non-dues revenue. He was responsible for national education programs and represented half of the association’s 27,000+ member firms through leadership of the building contractor and specialty contractor divisions.

Prior to that, Stark was senior director of AGC’s building division. He also has worked at the Construction Management Association of America, the American Road & Transportation Builders Association and the Metropolitan Washington Road & Transportation Builders Association.

“Mike has the knowledge, talent and energy to propel AWCI forward, continuing the momentum that enabled AWCI to celebrate its 100th anniversary last year,” said AWCI’s 2019–2020 President Brinkerhoff, who is also CEO and president of Ironwood Commercial Builders in Northern California. “I and the AWCI leadership welcome Mike and know he will complement the seasoned executives on staff.”

“AWCI’s executive search committee members did a great job of picking the best of the best,” said Etkin. “I will work with Mike on the transition for a few months, and I know I will be leaving AWCI headquarters in very capable hands when I retire at the end of the year.”

“I am extremely excited to lead AWCI and to work with the board of directors, staff, members and chapters to embrace the opportunities that lie ahead,” said Stark. “Most of my career has been spent in construction trade associations, and I look forward to continuing AWCI traditions while introducing new initiatives in key areas such as communications, membership, and industry outreach and advocacy.”

Stark holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Connecticut and is a Certified Association Executive by the American Society of Association Executives. He is also a graduate of the four-year Institute for Organization Management program, a professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation designed for nonprofit management.

Earlier this year, Etkin announced his retirement after 24 years as executive vice president and CEO of AWCI and the Foundation, and treasurer and acting CEO of the AWCI Insurance Company, Ltd. since its inception in 2003.