Building Community Takes a Village
Meet the PAR Leadership Advisory Board
Jay Ablondi
Massachusetts Medical Society
Director of Business Development | Sponsorships, Exhibits, & Advertising
Jay is an innovative and top-performing association executive, with an entrepreneurial mindset and extensive expertise in communications, content creation, marketing, data analysis, event management and global business development. As EVP of Global Products for the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA), Jay oversaw the publishing, education, convention, trade show, online/mobile media, marketing, research and information technology departments. Jay is a founding board director for the IHRSA Foundation and a founding member of the leadership advisory board for Professionals for Association Revenue. Jay began his new role with the Massachusetts Medical Society in May 2022.
John Bacon, MCA
American Society of Association Executives (ASAE)
VP, Enterprise Sales
John Bacon is a dynamic and business-focused management professional, offering more than 15 years of extensive experience and expertise in leading profit-generating operations for professional and trade associations. John has worked with hundreds of associations, helping them maximize the overall profitability of their member communications, while ensuring a high degree of customer satisfaction. He is currently the VP, Enterprise Sales at ASAE where he works with a team to expand, energize and optimize the performance of ASAE’s enterprise-wide sales portfolio, which includes the Alliance Partner Program, advertising and sponsored content, exhibits, digital products and sponsorships. John has an MBA as well as a BA in business administration and management.
Dan Cole
Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association (AVIXA)
Senior Director, Exposition Sales
With over 35 years of professional sales and leadership experience, Dan Cole is a renowned executive, writer, and speaker known for his expertise in sales fundamentals and team success. Formerly Senior Vice President of Strategic Relationships at the International SPY Museum, Dan has transitioned to new endeavors, now serving as Head of Sales at AVIXA’s InfoComm show. His previous roles include executive positions at Hargrove, Inc. and over 16 years at the helm of business development for the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and its parent organization. Dan’s career journey began in sales at Lanier Worldwide, leading him through notable roles at National Trade Productions, Advanstar, and Yellowbrix. Along the way, he has earned prestigious awards such as IAEE’s Most Outstanding Sales and Marketing Executive and the International Business Awards Most Outstanding Sales Executive.
Neal Couture, FASAE, CAE
The American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT)
Chief Executive Officer
Tom Egan
The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies (PMMI)
Vice President, Industry Services
Tom Egan serves as the vice president of Industry Services for PMMI, the Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies. He joined the PMMI staff in 2003 following more than 20 years in the packaging industry during which he was also an active PMMI member. His previous work experience includes tenures at Eaton Corp. and as Vice President, Marketing & Sales, for Hoppmann Corporation. He has an MBA from Baldwin-Wallace College, and a BEE in Electrical Engineering from Villanova University.
Karl L. Ely, CAE
ASAE, The Center for Association Leadership
Senior Advisor
As a member of the executive team at ASAE, Karl Ely directed the business development activities of the organization, including the Associations Now brands digital presence and subsidiary publications; the Alliance Partnership program activities; and the Industry Partner Alliance Committee, among others.
With thirty-plus years of experience in association management, Ely has led key initiatives in the growth of the organization, through mergers, CEO changeovers, and challenges from recessions to our current pandemic. Most recently, he oversaw the redevelopment of digital publishing revenue and regularly contributes his expertise to member organizations. He has recently transitioned to an advisory role for ASAE. Ely is active in numerous trade and networking groups in hospitality, technology, and business services and currently is a board member of the National Capital Area Council Boy Scouts of America.
Carrie Hartin
MCI USA
President, Association Solutions
Carrie is an organizational leader focused on developing revenue and publishing strategies. For nearly 20 years, she has successfully delivered sales strategies for a variety of trade and professional associations. Carrie’s specialties include revenue strategy and implementation, organizational management, media consulting, talent development and recruiting. She has been a key member of the PAR Leadership Advisory Board since 2019.
Dana Johnston
EMC Outdoor
Vice President, Client Partnerships, Trade Show Marketing
Dana joined the EMC Outdoor team following a 15-year career in the association space. She is a passionate partner to organizations and excited to expand their capacity by creating citywide, out-of-home advertising opportunities for sponsors.
Letty Kluttz
Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC)
SVP Membership, Education and Programs
Letty Kluttz has been with the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) since 2019 and is currently the Senior Vice President of Membership, Education, and Programs. With a strong background in executive operations, learning, and development, Letty has a proven track record of leading high-impact educational initiatives and large-scale events. She has successfully managed multimillion-dollar budgets, spearheaded innovative programming, and driven member engagement through strategic partnerships. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated expertise in conference planning, stakeholder collaboration, and program development, consistently delivering value-driven experiences for diverse professional audiences.
Robb Lee
Yes& Agency
SVP Integrated Strategy
Robb recently joined the Yes& leadership team to lead the agency's teams and commitment to strategy and innovation. In his role as SVP, Integrated Strategy, he focuses on deploying marcomm services to drive business success for clients. Previously, he served in a variety of executive roles including Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, and Chief Strategy Officer for ASAE in Washington, DC for 18 years.
Nikole TenBrink, MPA, CAE
Society for Corporate Governance
Chief Membership and Marketing Officer
Nikole TenBrink recently joined the Society for Corporate Governance as Chief Membership and Marketing Officer, where she leads strategic initiatives to expand membership, enhance partnership and sponsorship opportunities, and elevate the Society’s brand and communications—all with the goal of fostering engagement and driving revenue. With extensive experience in marketing, membership, and business development, she is well-positioned to advance the organization’s mission and outcomes.
Nikole was most recently the Vice President of Marketing at the Advertising Research Foundation, and prior to joining the ARF she held leadership positions in marketing and membership for the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) and the Risk Management Society (RIMS). She is also a founding member of the PAR (Professionals for Association Revenue) Leadership Advisory Board. Nikole is a Certified Association Executive (CAE), and as a true Florida native she has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Miami, and a Master’s in Public Administration from Florida Atlantic University.
Sean Soth
PAR, Professionals for Association Revenue
Founder & Leadership Advisory Board Chair
Sean is above all an initiator. Whether it's initiating a sale, a business partnership, a social outing or a new company, he sees potential and begins the process of bringing it to life. Sean founded Hi-Fidelity Group and Webvent 8 years ago and now embarks on initiating a new association, Professionals for Association Revenue. Recently, he's most proud of his work with the Society for Clinical Research Sites and his team's ability to take a small conference and grow it into a global organization with more than 40 Global Impact Partners and 9,500 members in 47 countries. Sean is a lover of music and a great judge of talent, even if his first ever concert was the iconic lip syncing duo, Milli Vanilli.
LAB Emeritus Members
Allyson Small
SCRS, Society for Clinical Research Sites
Chief Operating Officer
Allyson Small is Chief Operating Officer of the Society for Clinical Research Sites (SCRS). With nearly 20 years of experience working in the healthcare industry, Small joined the SCRS team in 2013. She plays an integral role in strategic growth, developing key partnerships, and increasing global membership by 80%. Small also oversees all development and production of 4 International Summits. Small is a champion for creating a voice for clinical research sites across the globe and assuring site sustainability. She is an active community member and dedicated volunteer in the Annapolis area where she lives with her husband and three children.
Erin Pressley, CAE
NRECA, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association
Senior Vice President, Education, Training and Events
As Senior Vice President for Education, Training and Events at NRECA, Erin leads the organization’s extensive meeting and events programming and education and training curriculum for nearly 900 electric cooperatives nationwide. Erin has spent most of her professional career generating the right content for the right people to inspire the right action. From print magazines to digital newsletters, from main stages to virtual group gatherings, Erin helps curate and tell stories that deliver tangible and profitable results to organizations. Erin joins NRECA following a 15 year career with the National Association of Convenient Stores (NACS).
Susan Young
Informa Markets
Senior Account Manager
After a 34 year career with the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), Susan transitions into her role at Informa Markets as a Senior Account Manager. She is responsible for fostering strong relationships with key accounts across Informa Markets' SupplySide portfolio. By collaborating closely with clients to understand their objectives, she creates customized programs to deliver success and works with cross-functional teams to generate innovative ideas and programs that deliver value for our audience and drive growth of the brand.