Kellen Company Names Peter Rush Chief Executive Officer; Gelardi Continues as Chairman
Atlanta, GA (March 28, 2006) – Peter Rush, president and chief operating officer of the Kellen Company, a premier global professional services firm, and one of the world's largest association management companies (AMCs), will assume the role of president and chief executive officer effective April 1, 2006, Robert Gelardi announced today. Robert Gelardi, a noted industry leader who has been with the Kellen Company for 30 years and has served as Chairman & CEO since 1996, will continue in his role as Chairman of the company.
In his new position, Mr. Rush will oversee all aspects of the Kellen Company, including management of its five worldwide offices, various service divisions and new business development efforts. Mr. Rush and Mr. Gelardi will continue to serve on the Kellen Company Board of Directors and remain as trustees of the Employee Stock Ownership Trust, along with Executive Vice President Rick Cristol.
"This is an important step in our company's evolution," said Gelardi. "With the strong and steady growth of the Kellen Company over the past decade, and with increasing recognition of AMCs as the model for associations in the 21st century, it is important to implement our company's plan for the future. Peter Rush has played a key role in Kellen's ongoing expansion and will lead the company in the years ahead in further achieving our Vision, Mission and Values."
"The opportunities for our industry are tremendous," said Rush. "As more associations demand professional service results and many outsource their professional service needs, there is a strong demand for association management companies that are equipped to handle everything from management to government affairs; marketing, communications and creative to meetings and more. Kellen has an enormous depth of talented professionals who continue to exceed our clients' expectations."
The Kellen Company now serves more than 100 client associations and 10,000 companies worldwide from its offices in Atlanta, Washington, D.C., New York City, Tucson and Brussels. Among the services Kellen offers are association management, government affairs, public relations, strategic advice, meetings management, creative communications and Web site development and marketing.
Mr. Rush joined the Kellen Company in 2001, when it merged with the New York City-headquartered firms of Sumner Rider Snyder, an association management company, and Sumner Rider & Associates, a public relations agency, of which he was president and chief executive officer. Rush is a seasoned association executive and public relations counselor whose clients have ranged from AT&T to the U.S. Department of Energy.
A graduate of Brown University with a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations, Rush holds a Masters of Arts degree from the University of Florida. He has served on the Board of Directors of both the International Association of Association Management Companies and the Association Council of the American Society of Association Executives. Throughout his career, Rush has held the Executive Director title for ten different associations. He is active in numerous charitable and civic organizations.
About Kellen Company:
Founded in 1964, Kellen Company provides association management, government affairs, public relations, meetings management, creative communications, Web site development and other professional services to associations, as well as individual companies and other organizations. Kellen serves more than 10,000 companies and 100,000 professionals worldwide, either through its more than 100 client associations or directly, from offices in Atlanta, Washington, D.C., New York City, Tucson and Brussels. For more information, visit www.kellencompany.com.
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