5/2/2012 2:29:00 PM
NEWS BRIEFS
NFDA Names Vickie Lester as Executive Director
Vickie Lester
The National Fastener Distributors Association’s Board of Directors voted unanimously to retain Vickie Lester of Lester Management Services to serve as executive director.
The NFDA said transition of the group’s office from Chicago to Los Alamitos, CA, will occur in the next few months.
“NFDA has received high-quality, professional services since 2007,” said NFDA 2011-2012 President Matt Ulrich of Assembled Products Inc.
“However, the NFDA board believes it is time to head in a different strategy direction, and we feel Vickie Lester’s background and abilities will help us achieve our vision.”
Lester started her management company in 1986, with the Western Association of Fastener Distributors as her first client. Later that year she added the Los Angeles Fastener Association. In 2009 those two associations combined and the organization is now known as Pacific-West Fastener Association.
In addition to Pac-West and its Fastener Training Institute, Lester and her team provide other services for organizations throughout Los Angeles.
2012-13 NFDA President Jay Queenin of Specialty Bolt & Screw Inc. stated: “As the new executive director of NFDA, Vickie will assist the board in providing our members with exciting new professional development opportunities, networking experiences and a national policy voice.”
“In addition we believe that Vickie is uniquely positioned in the fastener industry to advance the NFDA’s strategic vision of coordinating more closely with other fastener associations.”
Assisting Lester is Jeannine Christensen, director of member services for Lester Management, and Marci Myer, member services assistant. Christensen has been with Lester since 1994, and Myer joined the team three years ago.
Lester is highly regarded throughout the fastener industry. She is a leading figure in the industry’s deepening utilization of social media; frequently on Twitter she is recognized as the industry’s social media “guru.”
“Congrats to her on the NFDA!” Tweeted Fully Threaded Radio following the announcement.
“Congrats to Vickie Lester new exec director of the NFDA,” added LINK Magazine.
“Kudos to Vickie Lester,” Tweeted WIFI — Women in the Fastener Industry.
“Congratulations Vickie on your new position. Want something done? Give it to a busy person!” Tweeted the Traveling Salesman.
Prior to starting her own business, Lester worked for an association management company in Los Angeles for four years.
Lester said she started in the trade association business “stuffing envelopes as a business student.”
Lester holds a B.A. in English and Medieval Studies from Pitzer College, Claremont, California and an M.B.A. from California State University at Long Beach. In 2001 she earned her CAE and is a graduate of the Institute for Organization Management.
For more information on Lester’s professional accomplishments visit LinkedIn.com/in/VickieLester. ©2012 GlobalFastenerNews.com
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