Trending 40: Association Leaders

Bob Weidner
President/CEO, Metals Service Center Institute

Memorable project: Successful transformation of a struggling $4M trade association in 2001 into a vibrant $10M trade association.
Lessons learned: If we aren’t helping members run their businesses better (while being compliant with US anti-trust laws), we’re not doing our job. Relevant, insightful and meaningful strategic and tactical information is our currency and how we deliver member value.
Why this career: Had worked in the private sector for 20 years but wanted P&L responsibility and the chance to turn around the organization, using finance, people, sales and transformational change skills.
Grew up: Chicago
Current home: Chicago
First job: Worked in men’s haberdashery.
Free time: Family, golf, reading and charity work.
Family: Married 30 years, three adult children and a Golden Retriever.
Favorite vacation spot: Wife’s family home on 10 acres on the western shore of Michigan. Been in the family over 100 years. 
Bucket list: Do the British Open’s eight courses with family.
Daily habit: Start day with short prayer expressing thanks and asking for the Lord to look over family. 
Startling fact: In 5th grade operetta, played Abraham Lincoln in Act One, and the back end of Mrs. O’Leary’s cow (Chicago Fire) in Act Two. 

Andy Doyle
President/CEO, American Coatings Association

Memorable projects: Organization has grown 10-fold in size and revenue in the past five years, from $6M to $60M in revenue. Growth is largely due to a paint recycling program, a tremendously successful trade show and an acquisition of our professional society. 
Lessons learned: Have patience, listen and remember you’re there to serve your members, not yourself.
Why this career: Worked two blocks down the street, was out of college about a year and heard about an open position. Got the job 36 years ago and became CEO 27 years ago. When I walked through the doors here, had no idea the role of an association.
Grew up: Riverdale, MD.
First job: Delivered an afternoon newspaper called the Washington Daily News. 
Free time: Watch too much baseball.
Family: Married 37 years, three daughters, two grandchildren, and two dogs–a Lab/pit mix and beagle/basset hound mix. 
Favorite vacation spot: House in Rehoboth Beach.
Daily habit: Read sports pages, make coffee for my wife and exercise.
Startling fact: Have worked for the same organization for 37 years. 

Did you miss some of the Association Leaders profiled? Read about them here, here and here. And don't forget to come celebrate all these amazing Association Leaders on July 9 in Crystal City. Sign up here.