The National Association for Surface Finishing (NASF) and the AESF Foundation have hired Kellen for full-service management and strategic development.
NASF and AESF's leadership have announced Rosario Palmieri as their incoming executive director. Palmieri is a group vice president at Kellen, who previously served in the White House Office of Management and Budget as associate administrator of the regulatory coordination office (OIRA) and the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) as vice president, charged with managing broad areas of legal and regulatory policy.
Rosario Palmieri This partnership will help support NASF and AESF's missions to advance an environmentally and economically sustainable future for the finishing industry and to promote the vital role of surface technology in the global manufacturing value chain by leveraging Kellen's association management platform and internal consulting teams across communications, event management, education, finance, and technology practices.
"I've spent my career advancing and advocating for manufacturing. Joining the leading organizations for the advancement of surface finishing is a perfect fit, and I look forward to helping the industry and the organizations grow and prosper," said Palmieri.
The NASF benefits the industry at-large, which derives direct benefits from the association's educational programs and lobbying efforts which in turn greatly promotes and helps sustain the industry. The organizations' approaches required a change and a new model to move forward to enhance member benefits, education, and training programs, and grow membership and association revenue.
"NASF is at a pivotal point in the evolution of our organization and we look to Kellen for expertise in implementing our strategic path forward," said Jeff Brassard, NASF president. "Our partnership with Kellen will allow NASF to leverage added industry expertise, resources, and enterprise operations along with financial efficiencies that will unlock levels of member service and industry impact not previously attainable."
"This partnership will help us to transform and grow our global leadership role in training and education and technological advancement of this industry," added Brian Peterson, president of the AESF Foundation Board of Trustees.
The new management approach will fully maintain and strengthen NASF's highly successful government affairs and advocacy program under the continued leadership of The Policy Group.
"Kellen and Rosario bring broad and deep management acumen and insight to the industry at this critical time. We anticipate an excellent partnership and an even stronger future for the association and the foundation," said Christian Richter, Principal of The Policy Group.
Kellen's portfolio of managed building and materials associations includes a wide swath of industry organizations ranging from maintenance and reliability professionals to hardware, with senior leadership and Kellen's deep bench of subject matter experts collaborating to drive organizational and industry initiatives forward.
"We are excited about this new relationship, bringing Kellen's decades of industry experience, matched with our cutting-edge technologies and infrastructure to support NASF and AESF's missions and to enhance their impact on the industry and its members," said Travis Rush, CEO, Kellen.
This new partnership and incoming executive director will begin with the new year on January 1, 2022.
