Executive Director

• Jan 2018 - Present

CEO / International Consultant

• Jan 2010 - Present

Laurence Gration and his niche team of celebrated cohorts lead a customized approach (full service consulting, strategic guidance, or trained programs) to (re)develop US based 501(C) organizations with sectionalized proficiency.Gration as a recognized authority on association re-development; alliance-building strategies; growing certification programs, professional development, membership and services internationally; leads your organization to the next stage on its life-cycle.With an uncanny ability to understand the life-cycles of associations, he is advising new and old associations alike in how to get back to, and/or stay ahead of, the curve in this continuously changing environment. Laurence takes his more than 30 years association volunteer and professional experience, from around the world, and shares that information with US and Australian based not-for-profit organizations, for their betterment in birthing, redevelopment, and/or specialized growth opportunities in one or more of the following areas:* Increasing influence of the association through media impact, alliance building and resource sharing, with government NGOs and other associations. * Developing intelligence synergy on a corporate wide basis within domestic markets with emphasis on contacts within the potential international audiences. *Provided corporate communications with forward looking projections to facilitate stakeholder awareness. *Growth in international/ global development through membership engagement and conference development.*Specialist in certification program design and implementation, growth and (global) expansion.*Research association’s market potential using specialty methodical market research and assessment, sectionalized reporting writing and A-to-Z program development and implementation.*Award winning speaker and author, delivering keynote presentation, break outs and training.

Deputy Executive Director

• Sep 2011 - Oct 2012

Propelled mission and goals of ASEA (a nationwide association dedicated to promoting snowsports through instruction) and its affiliated instructor certification entities — the American Association of Snowboard Instructors (AASI) and the Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA). Managed financial, human, and technology resources, and provided operational supervision over association functions, programs, and activities. Worked closely with executive director/CEO to lead strategic initiatives ensuring long-term growth and sustainability. Key Results:* Change-Agent Leadership: Addressed internal and external challenges to improve services, opportunities, and benefits offered to ASEA’s 32,000 members; elevate staff performance, engagement, and morale; establish a clearly articulated, defined business plan; implement financial controls; and strengthen the overall organization.* Rapid Results: Delivered ASEA’s first cash surplus in five years by implementing improved budgeting and controls. Halted wasteful spending without eroding member services or organizational value/effectiveness.* Teambuilding: Replaced silo thinking with a cohesive, cooperative framework enabling a shared commitment toward mission/goal attainment. Clarified roles and responsibilities to ensure performance expectations were clear and measurable.* Employee Relations: Built trusting relationships and implemented employee recognition initiatives. Efforts fostered a positive work environment, improved employee satisfaction, and reduced staff turnover (previously averaging 150%). * Marketing: Coordinated market research and environmental analysis, and used findings gleaned to elevate marketing/social media effectiveness and target a broader audience with new affiliate programs and retail partnerships.

CEO

• Aug 2006 - Nov 2010

Recruited to revitalize international engineering not-for-profit association, successfully meeting challenge to instill a cohesive vision; strategize and execute rapid-results plans/programs to grow revenues; and create entrepreneurial ways to optimize member services, benefits, and value offered. Hold ultimate accountability for all aspects of association’s fiscal performance, technology infrastructure, branding, member/staff/organizational development, and management of cross-functional paid and volunteer teams. Key Results:* Launched personalized membership campaign that fueled a record-setting growth in membership. Replaced traditional shotgun approach with a customized, three-pronged strategy developed with allied associations.* Provided adept business and fiscal leadership to achieve ahead-of-budget benchmark midway through 2010, with 10% growth projected for the year. * Commended for change-agent leadership fostering the creation of a transparent; member-run; grassroots-based; lean, high-performance, and sustainable organization. Restructured organization (board and staff), refocused teams behind a shared vision of service excellence and accountability, developed new by-laws and policies, and eliminated waste.* Re-developed existing programs with high potential and decommissioned those that were not valuable to core business.* Enhanced technology-driven services, including expanded member websites/database integration, simplified application capabilities, and expanded educational webinars, education, and training. * Moved AFE into government relations/lobbying; assisting in putting two Bills before Congress in 2010 and acted as the key campaigner to increase AFE members’ access to incentives offered through national rebuilding and sustainability programs.* Boosted competitiveness and prestige by instilling systems thinking, making the AFE the greatest single source of information on facilities engineering and its core disciplines.

Account Executive

• Dec 2001 - May 2006

Served on executive team within family-owned association management company offering a full range of services to local, national, and international not-for-profit organizations. Directed crucial areas of ASMII client’s operations, including technology innovations, program development, outreach, educational services, and tradeshow strategy/execution for various associations. Provided executive-level leadership to five major accounts. Key Results:* For Disaster Recovery Institute International (DRII) as Executive Director (2001 to 2006), renewed viability and momentum of association on the verge of bankruptcy, posting positive year-end revenue of $2.4M. * Strategized DRII’s total turnaround, including streamlining entire organization, revamping programs to fit the post-9/11 environment, broadening focus to encompass all aspects of business continuity, and creating acclaimed new offerings (e.g., crisis media training).* Developed and launched successful global, online educational programming with corresponding industry certifications for DRII’s business continuity and disaster recovery professionals, generating new revenue stream while providing industry-leading development services for DRII’s constituents.* For International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) as Exhibits Manager (2003 to 2006), rebranded and reenergized organization’s annual convention and its highest revenue-generator. Created and managed marketing tools/strategies that propelled record sales in 2005 and the first sell-out trade show in IAEM’s 35-year history.* Also held senior roles as Executive Director/Chapter Administrator for the National Council of State Emergency Medical Services Training Coordinators, the Association of Suppliers to the Paper Industry, and the Capital Chapter of the International Facility Managers Association.

Director of Education, Development & Research

• 1998 - 2000

IAAM provides leadership, education, and information to the professional managers of public assembly facilities. Challenged to strengthen organization and execute educational programs to attract international membership and increase member participation. Directed special events management teams responsible for production of eight national conferences and seminars with up to 3,000 participants.* Developed and piloted a landmark public facility management MBA program in coordination with internal committees and the University of South Carolina.* Reduced department costs by $100K+ and improved member communications through implementation of teleconferences and virtual meetings.

National Manager (CEO)

• 1992 - 1997

Oversaw the day-to-day management and growth of the organization. Developed and managed international expansion strategy and directed tradeshows and conferences. Key Results:* Garnered international recognition for technology innovation and best practices. Examples include pioneering the industry’s first online MBA program in credit union management and implementing IT infrastructure to enable direct communications with all members (which proved so effective it was adopted as the model standard industry-wide).* Refocused association to expand services and opportunities, resulting in breakthrough membership and revenue growth of 66% and 125%, respectively, during four-year tenure.* Forged enduring, strategic relationships and secured international political support for AICUM, which facilitated global market expansion throughout Asia and into the US.

National Manager / CEO

• 1990 - 1992

Oversaw all aspects of nationwide association with 16,000 members. Held full accountability for P&L (managing budget of $15M), strategic planning, daily operations, and business development. Supervised team of 32 staff as well as hundreds of volunteers. Key Results:* Led the rapid turnaround of organization, far exceeding expectations of the board and executive management. * Restructured AITD, allowing for a bottom-up, results-driven business focus, expanding annual conference to international status, and empowered local chapters to make decisions.* Achieved the highest growth in AITD’s 24-year history (elevating annual revenues by 20% in just two years) while slashing costs and adding successful services.