BUFFALO GROVE, Ill., April 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Construction Writers
Association Executive Director Sheila Wertz is retiring after 12 years of
service to the association. After an extensive search for her replacement,
the association has appointed Deborah Hodges, who will open a new CWA
office in Chicago on June 1, 2008.
Wertz, who is a graduate of Medill School of Journalism, Northwestern
University, has mixed magazine journalism and association management during
her career. A former editor of Interior Construction magazine and a CWA
member, she became the association's newsletter editor in 1995 and its
secretary-treasurer (now called executive director) in 1996.
For most of her career, Wertz worked for association management
companies where she edited publications, provided public relations support,
and managed a variety of associations -- many in the construction field.
Among her proudest achievements was conversion of two law-related
association newsletters into four-color magazines supported by advertising.
"CWA is my all-time favorite client," Wertz says. "We've quadrupled the
organization from 75 to 300 members, and the budget is now five times
larger than it was in 1996. CWA has become a very successful
volunteer-driven organization. Our members have worked hard to create two
well-attended meetings each year, four recognition programs, and a strong
presence on the internet. I've been pleased to support their efforts."
Hodges is the principal of Golden Square LLC, Chicago, an association
management and professional services firm. She is a member of CWA and of
the Society of Marketing Professional Services. She has been education
director, vice president and president of the Chicago chapter of SMPS,
chair of the national mentoring committee, and a grant recipient for a
national SMPS project. She has held marketing roles for Bovis Lend Lease,
Plunkett Raysich Architects, OWP/P, and RTKL, all construction and
design-related firms.
Hodges has also held leadership roles with associations such as
National Association of Corporate Real Estate Executives, Design Build
Institute of America-Midwest, and several health-related organizations.
Recently, she managed the transition of the Chicago Health Executives Forum
to a fully chartered chapter of the American College of Healthcare
Executives.
"Deborah's marketing background is just what CWA needs to move to the
next level," says Wertz. "She has much to offer the association, and I wish
her and the association great success in the future."
The Construction Writers Association was founded in 1958 and will
celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2008. CWA is a non-profit, non-partisan,
international organization for professional journalists, writers, editors,
photographers, marketers and publicists serving the information needs of
the construction industry. In addition to its journalism, photography,
marketing communications and website/electronic communications awards
programs, CWA provides educational meetings and networking opportunities
for its members. For more information, visit the Construction Writers
Association website at http://www.constructionwriters.org.
SOURCE Construction Writers Association
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.constructionwriters.org
CONTACT:
Sheila Wertz, Executive Director of
Construction Writers Association, +1-847-398-7756, or Fax,
+1-847-590-5241, office@constructionwriters.org
|
