This past year I had the opportunity to work with Jackie Eder-Van Hook of TMC in the search for a new Executive Director for CLARB. She led our search committee through a precise and structured process that culminated with the presentation of a number of highly qualified candidates for our selection within our established timeframe and budget. She demonstrated skill and acumen in dealing with a wide variety of diverse committee member personalities while keeping the group focused on the task we had been assigned. Jackie’s acute ability to understand the culture of our organization and recruit potential candidates that fit our criteria was extremely helpful in getting the right person.

Beside all of the standard activities of a search consultant, Jackie attended our spring meeting and industry trade show in order to better understand our culture; she created a survey of our members to solicit input about the organization’s needs; strategized with us on how to transition the membership to a new leadership style; made a presentation to our membership; made herself available to answer our member’s questions; strategized with us on the candidate negotiations; and strategized with us on how to best communicate the news about the selection of our new executive with our members, stakeholders, and staff.

Bob & Jackie are top shelf.


Dear Jackie and Bob,

It is with sincere gratitude that we deliver our thanks for your help in hiring AMSA’s next Executive Director. This was no easy task and required patience, flexibility, creativity, and the ability to work with all of us!

You have both been wonderful friends and stewards to the mission and purpose of our association. It is only through these connections that we are able to thrive and grow and we appreciate your guidance and hard work.

This is a defining moment in our history which will be remembered for years to come. It is our honor and privilege to have worked with you and hope you understand how thankful we are. You are a great fit for AMSA – we are now set up for another 58 years of developing the next generation of socially responsible physician leaders!

Sincerely,
Michael Ehlert, MD, President, American Medical Student Association

James Slayton, MD, President, American Medical Student Association Foundation

Signed by 23 members of AMSA’s Board of Trustees and Foundation’s Directors
Jackie is incredibly competent, creative, ethical, hard-working, and strategic. She has a real knack for "making something out of nothing" - meaning that I witnessed her taking a kernel of an idea and turn it into a national trade association. Jackie has a lovely way about her both professionally and personally and is a joy to have on any team and in any office. She brings deep intellect, passion, and commitment to her work and her record of success speaks for itself. I would hire Jackie in a hearbeat - to work on my team or to be a consultant. You cannot go wrong with Jackie on your side.
Jackie conducted the search for the Executive Director slot for the Marine Technology Society. Her work with the MTS Board in helping them identify their needs and the guidance she provided to the search committee throughout the process were excellent. Not only was Jackie skilled at developing an excellent candidate pool, she used her organizational development training to help the organization to stay focused and make conscience decisions regarding the future of the MTS. Jackie partnered with senior volunteer and staff leadership to make the search a very productive exercise on a number of different levels including selecting and hiring a candidate who was an exceptional fit for the organization. She also worked with MTS to assure the best possible environment for the introduction and orientation of the new Executive Director to establish the scenario for a successful long-term relationship between the organization and their new executive.
Don was absolutely essential to the successful hiring of CFP Board's permanent CEO. He immediately stepped into a fragile situation and was able to stabilize the staff, secure the continuation of key operations, and reassure the key stakeholders that we were conducting business as usual at CFP Board in spite of the hasty resignation of our previous CEO.

He conducted a very thorough organizational assessment that was invaluable to the Board of Directors and he was invited to serve on the CEO Search Committee. This allowed us to focus our hiring efforts on the skills the job required AND it allowed our new CEO to hit the ground running -- no ugly surprises spoiling the honeymoon phase on a new job.

Don helped us hire a terrific new CEO, improved employee policies, and relocated the association to Washington, DC. He could not have done anything differently -- he hit a homerun. 10 out of 10.


A resolution in Honor of Wm. Patrick Nichols

Whereas Wm. Patrick “Pat” Nichols is a professional and gentleman capable of embracing challenge,

Whereas Pat demonstrated his fortitude by entering the perfect storm at The Campagna Center in February 2006, Whereas this storm required the ability to rebuild the ship and sail it at the same time,

Whereas this also demanded a remarkable blend of skills to be in full force, including discernment, financial acumen, patience, leadership and did we say financial acumen?,

Whereas Pat, demonstrated untold grace and respect in every instance and an unwavering commitment to the mission of The Center and the children and families we serve,

Therefore be it resolved by the Campagna Center Board of Directors that….we will always hold Pat in highest esteem and gratitude for being and authentic and capable captain and lantern holder to us as we navigated rough waters together and arrived safely to a new and better shore.