NAFA Adds Key Players To Its Team

The NAFA staff is charged with administering and managing the association’s programs and services. Part of my job, as leader of the staff, is to assure the association has the proper staff support and expertise necessary to carry out the association’s initiatives.

So far this year, I have hired a new Director of Marketing & Communications and created three new staff positions to close identified gaps. Please join me in welcoming these new players to Team NAFA:

Ken Hunter – NAFA’s New Director of Marketing and Communications
Ken Hunter, APR, became NAFA’s new Director of Marketing and Communications on July 31, 2017. Ken is responsible for developing and directing the implementation of detailed marketing plans to support all of NAFA’s programs, projects, and services, including membership. He will also develop and direct the implementation of detailed communications plans for NAFA’s print and e-publications, online/social media presence, and press relations.

Ken is accredited in public relations (APR) by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). He is an expert at developing brands and creating strategies for U.S. and international businesses. In 2012, Ken founded The PowerStation, a communication consultancy that "guides organizations to growth by creating big-idea public relations and marcom programs." Some of his successes for clients include:

• Trade Group Lobbying: Developed and drove the National Fire Sprinkler Association’s communication strategy to gain passage of a new residential fire sprinkler code
• Social Media: Planned and led the broad marcom campaign for the debut Rutgers Giving Day, generating 3 million social media impressions and $1.25 million raised
• Sales Leads: Piloted an inventive public relations strategy that directly resulted in $5 million in sales leads for medical device company MAQUET
• Pharmaceutical Start-Up: Developed and executed the launch of oncology and diabetes pharmaceutical company Hengrui Therapeutics, producing more than 100 million media impressions
• U.S. Debut: Strategized the North American media launch of AwoX’s Internet of Things Bluetooth and lighting products, yielding more than three dozen key hits and reviews to support its Euronext IPO.
• Crises:  Developed first-ever crisis plan for Rutgers University.

Ken is an Adjunct Professor at Rutgers University School of Communication and Information, and Seton Hall University Graduate Communication Program, where he teaches courses in public relations strategy, communication ethics, and international public relations.

Ken is a Member of PRSA and a Board Member of its New Jersey Chapter. He was the N.J. Chapter President in 2010 and National District Director in 2014.

You can reach Ken at khunter@nafa.org or 609-986-1048.

Lauren Weil – Education Manager
Lauren joined NAFA on August 7, filling the newly created position of Education Manager. Lauren works hand-in-hand with NAFA’s Director of Education, Kate Vigneau, CAFM^®, managing NAFA’s many educational efforts, including the Certified Automotive Fleet Manager (CAFM^®) program. Lauren’s duties also encompass managing NAFA’s online and in-person education events, in-print training tools, and the educational sessions at NAFA’s annual Institute & Expo.

Lauren came to NAFA from The Cambridge Institute in Boston, where she was responsible for the business unit that arranged for homestay accommodations for international students. Lauren was also the Executive Director of SAT Operations for the Educational Testing Service in Princeton, where she worked to ensure the timely, high-quality creation and global delivery of exams and accurate scoring.

You can reach Lauren at lweil@nafa.org or 609-986-1059.

Orlando Nieves – Information Technology Team Leader
Orlando joined NAFA on April 17, filling the newly-created position of IT Team Leader. Orlando ensures NAFA’s internal technologies support the association’s efforts, ranging from back-end website coding to membership database analysis, server operations, and even implementing a new telephone system.
 
Orlando came to NAFA after working 23 years at Greater Trenton Behavioral Healthcare, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for vulnerable adults, children, and families by focusing on integrated mental and physical wellness. Orlando oversaw all IT operations for this $17 million organization serving 4,000 consumers across 15 different programs.  

You can reach Orlando at onieves@nafa.org or 609-986-1060.

Membership Outreach
In the next few weeks, NAFA will begin its search to fill a new position with responsibility for membership recruitment and retention. This position will work closely with Ken and will be a "boots-on-the-ground" recruiter and retainer to ensure that NAFA continues to grow. Look for news about this in the coming weeks.

As always, I and the entire NAFA staff are honored and pleased to work with and for you!  Please let us know how we can help you!

 

Sincerely,

Phil